Urban League Building
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The first employment services for African Americans seeking entry into the local workforce were delivered out of barbershops and beauty parlors. Most important of these was the Hall Brothers Barbershop. S. Edward and O.C. Hall serviced white politicians and business leaders. Using these connections, the Hall Brothers posted jobs and personally referred many individuals to prospective employers. Churches began providing a more organized resource for locating jobs and housing through newsletters like St. James A.M.E.'s "The Helper."
In 1887, the Minnesota Protective and Industrial League and later the Afro American League played pivotal roles in improving the economic condition of blacks Out of a confluence of local activities and a national black agenda emerged the Urban League of Saint Paul, founded in 1923 with the help of barber S. Edward Hall. Interestingly, the local white business association objected to the formation of this branch fearing that it would encourage more black migration to Minnesota.
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S. Edward Hall
Hall was born in Batavia, Illinois in 1878. He came to St. Paul in 1900 and operated a barbershop downtown for sixty-two years. He was active in the Saint Paul community life and was a founder of the Saint Paul Urban League. Hall died in October of 1975. Date: Approximately 1940 Image and biography courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society
William Richard Morris
Morris was an 1884 graduate of Fisk University, and Professor of Mathematics, Languages and Sciences at Fisk. He Married Anna M. LaForce in July of 1896, and moved to Minnesota in 1889. In 1891, he was elected President of the Minnesota League of Afro-Americans. See: "History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest," S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1923. Creator: Sweet Date: Approximately 1910 Image courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society
Men and women playing bingo
S. Edward Hall is pictured in the foreground. Date: Approximately 1950 Image courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society
Saint Paul Urban League building
- 401 Selby Avenue - Date: July, 1975 Image courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society
Saint Paul Urban League
Date: Approximately 1945 Image courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society
Saint Paul Urban League
Date: Approximately 1945 Image courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society