HISTORY OF THE IMPROVED BENEVOLENT PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS
Arthur James Riggs
The Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World was granted a copyright as an organization on September 28, 1898, in Cincinnati, Ohio. A Pullman porter, Arthur James Riggs, and Benjamin Franklin Howard, who were both members of another fraternal organization discovered they both had dreams of forming an Elks organization for people of color. Their dreams and plans were realized when the first Lodge, Alpha Lodge No. 1, was organized in Cincinnati as a result of their efforts. As the Elks prevailed, the organization struggled against many racist attitudes and legal efforts to deny the existence of the Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World.
Emma V. Kelley
On June 13, 1902, Emma Virginia Kelly organized the Daughters of Elks in Norfolk, Virginia. This group was later adopted by the Grand Lodge and became an auxiliary body to the Brothers of Elks. The first Temple was Norfolk Temple No. 1, Norfolk, Virginia.
The Daughters of Elks national organization presents an annual Emma V. Kelley Achievement Award, named in her memory.
J. Finley Wilson
In 1922, J. Finley Wilson was elected Grand Exalted Ruler. He also founded and edited the Washington Eagle, the publication of the Elks Grand Lodge. Throughout his reign as the “Grand,” Wilson increased the fraternal society’s national membership from 30,000 to 500,000 and oversaw the creation of approximately 900 new lodges. Wilson also led efforts to raise about $700,000 in scholarship money for African American college students.