Our History

history of Brewervile Civic Association, Inc. (BCA)

In 1989, Brewervillians from all across the U.S. assembled in Providence, Rhode Island to organize the Brewerville Civic Association. The organizing meeting and eventual elections took place on Saturday June 24, 1989 at the Holy Cross Church on Broad Street in Providence. The organizing committee was chaired by Mr. Alexander M. Massey (New York/New Jersey). Other members of the committee were: Mr. Ike Wilson (Ohio/Michigan), Mr. Edwin Outland (RI/MA/CT), Mr. Jerry Brown (GA/NC/SC) and Mr. Kederick Taylor (OK/TX). Dr. Winston Thomas (aka Boikai Twe) chaired the Constitution Committee along with Mrs. Yvonne Hansford, Mr. J. McCant Hayes Jr., Mr. Ike Wilson and Mr. Alexander M. Massey. Thus, Brewerville Civic Association of the North America was officially established on June 24th, 1989 with the expressed goal of encouraging and supporting development initiatives in the City of Brewerville. A year later, it was incorporated as a non-profit organization in the State of Rhode Island. The first set of fund raisers (Friday, June 23rd and Saturday, June 24th) were held at the home of the late Moses K. Harris in Providence, Rhode Island. Rev. Napoleon Divine brought the “inspired word” during the first Memorial Service on Sunday, June 25, 1989.

Elected officials were: Mr. Alexander M. Massey, national Executive Director, Mrs. Frances Hayes-Beyslow, Assistant Executive Director, Ms. Theodosia K. Banks, Director of Correspondence and Records, Mr. Alfred B. Curtis, Jr. Director of Finance, Mr. Roland A. Cassell, Director of Administrative and Legal Affairs, Mr. Albert B. Cassell, Director of Social Activities and Membership; Mr. Eric D. Benson, Director of Development Programs.

After the successful completion of their two year term, a second administration was entrusted to guide the reigns of the association. Mr. Albert B. Cassell was elected National Executive Director; Mrs. Julia Brown-Parker, Asst. Executive Director, Mrs. Christine Wilson-Yorgbor, Director of Correspondence and Records, Mr. Alfred B. Curtis, Jr., retained the position of Director of Finance, Mr. Harold S. Gibson, Director of Administrative and Legal Affairs, Ms. Angie Marshall, Director of Social Activities and Membership, Mr. Alexander M. Massey, Director of Development Programs, Mr. Ike Wilson, Dir of Special Projects and Dr. Bokai Twe, Director of Educational Programs.

During this administration, “Directors-At-Large” (and auxiliary board) was constituted to operate in concert with the Executive Board. The first group of Directors-At-Large was: Mr. Joel M. Cassell, Jr., Hon. Alfred B. Curtis, Sr., Mr. Edwin D. Outland, Jr., Mr. A. John Wilson, Sr., and Mr. Wendell Woods.

A Third administration was elected in 1993 to lead the association. Mr. Timothy E. Thomas, National Executive Director; Mr. Richmond B. Flowers, Asst. Executive Director. Under this administration, the association laid dormant. After about five years of inactivity, an interim administration was asked to pick up the mantle in 1999 and lead the association until such time when new elections could be held. The interim administration consisted of the following individuals: Mr. Alexander M. Massey, interim Executive Director, Mr. Richmond B. Flowers, Asst. Executive Director, Ms. Lovest Harris, Director of Correspondence and Records, Mr. J. McCant Hayes, Director of Finance, Mr. Joel Cassell, Director of Administrative and Legal Affairs and Mr. Audwin Wilson, Director of Special Projects. The interim Directors-At-Large were: Mrs. Joyce Brown-Armah, Rev. Abraham Brisbane, Jr., Mrs. Berline P. Cassell, Ms. Beatrix Hayes, Mr. Ike Wilson and Ms. Julia Williams.

The interim administration served for a period of three years. The end of 2002, the association took a critical look at restructuring along with a constitution a redraft in order to meet the tax exempt (501-3-C) status requirements of the IRS regulation. Mr. R. Napoleon Outland headed the committee on restructuring and constitution redraft. Other members serving on that committee were: Cllr. Alvina Norman, Cllr. Rosemary James, and Cllr. Emmanuel James.

Brewerville Civic Association, Inc, of North America is currently incorporated as a non-profit association in the State of Delaware as a result of the restructuring. The Association is comprised of 7 regional Chapters from across the U.S. The New England Chapters (RI/MA/CT)) was the first to be organized in 1989, followed by the Tri-State (NY/NJ/PA) Chapter in 1990. The other three were established in the following order: Washington, DC Metro Chapter (MD/VA/DC) in 1991, the North Carolina Chapter in 2000, the Georgia Chapter in 2001, Minnesota Chapter in 2006 and the South Carolina Chapter in 2007.