Ethnic Minority Society recognizes 25 years of cultural diversity.

Sorrow over the loss of one of our nation's most prominent African American leaders, late Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown, and excitement over the 25th Anniversary of the National Recreation and Parks Ethnic Minority Society are the bittersweet emotions that prevail at the time of this writing. In one sense, the loss of Mr. Brown lessens the significance of a 25th Anniversary celebration. However, the passing of a great leader strengthens our commitment to creating new leadership. It is this commitment that we celebrate.

I'm sure that in that small room in Chicago during the 1969 Congress for Recreation and Parks, there must have been a feeling of something great happening. No one could have really known. It was not possible to see that the Black Caucus--born out of the efforts of individuals like Ernest T. Atwell, the first director of the Bureau of Colored Works, and James Madison, director of recreation field services for the BCW in war-impacted communities--would be the catalyst for monumental change in the delivery of public recreation services and the leadership that would impact the industry. No one knew that years later, it would be impossible to think of having a national organization for parks and recreation officials without including leadership from all communities, especially the African American community.

The Bureau of Colored Works was established by the National Recreation Association in 1919 to provide service to African Americans. There was good reason for its creation, especially since the recreation leaders of African American descent were not allowed rooms in the hotels, or access to meetings. By 1967, pressure began to mount for inclusion of African Americans. Ira Hutchinson, one of the great leaders in the field, was appointed the first executive secretary of the National Therapeutic Recreation Society; one of his primary missions was to assist in the efforts toward inclusion.

In 1969, the National Recreation and Park Association held the first Urban Affairs forum to address the growing concerns of parks and recreation services in cities. The forum took place during one of the most contentious social periods in American history and resulted in the 1970 formation of the National Recreation and Parks Urban Affairs Department. Both the forum and the newly established department spoke volumes to the insight of parks and recreation leaders; they began knitting the value of recreation into our social fabric.

In 1971, the NRPEMS was formally established as an affiliate of the national association with the goals of "productively representing the recreation, park and related leisure service interests and rights of minorities while participating in the overall efforts of the park and recreation profession." The desire to overcome the realities of decades of segregation, where "whites only" signs kept minority youth from enjoying the local swimming pool, gymnasium or tennis courts became the overriding inspiration for national leaders like Jesse Rutherford, Ralph Jones, CeEtta Crayton, Alan Doby, and Yvonne Washington, just to name a few. The aforementioned group spans several decades of recreation leadership, but each has similar motivation. Through NRPEMS, these individuals have provided leadership when no one else could have.

It is this continuum of strength that enables the National Recreation and Parks Ethnic Minority Society to continue the struggle of promoting inclusion of racial and ethnic minorities at every level of leadership within the parks and recreation field. This commitment is evident in the NRPA Board of Trustees, as well as branch, society, and affiliate leadership. As a result, there has been great progress for minorities in attaining decision-making positions throughout the profession and the country.

This year will recognize these and a great many other achievements within the industry. As the current President of NRPEMS, I am proud to serve NRPEMS during this time of both retrospection and introspection. I encourage each of you to set aside some time to join the Board of Trustees, officers and staff of NRPA in wishing an exciting and inspiring 25th Anniversary celebration during the 1996 Congress.

There will be events and activities recognizing the great achievements of NRPEMS of which you should be a part. This includes special workshops, classes, the annual EMS Education Institute, various receptions, and the annual banquet. Accenting these events will be the official introduction of the first publication that pictorially heralds the history of the Urban Recreation Experience. Agencies from all around the country are participating in the publication of The Colors of Recreation. The book will be introduced at the 1996 Congress in Kansas City and will soon become a staple in every recreation related library. You will have the opportunity to have a first-run edition.

NRPA President Doug Gaynor, Board Chairman Eric O'Brien, and Executive Director Dean Tice join the NRPEMS Board in remembering the commitment of the past leadership that has brought us to this point, and in challenging the entire NRPA membership to pursue the goals of equality and inclusion.