trinidadian barrister henry sylvester williams organized the first pan-african conference in 1900 apex.
trinidadian barrister henry sylvester williams organized the first pan-african conference in 1900 apex.
who organized the first pan-african conference in 1900 apex?
trinidadian barrister henry sylvester williams
the first pan-african conference was held in london from 23 to 25 july 1900 (just prior to the paris exhibition of 1900 "in order to allow tourists of african descent to attend both events"). organized primarily by the trinidadian barrister henry sylvester williams, it took place in westminster town hall (now caxton hall) and was attended by 37 delegates and about 10 other participants and observers from africa, the west indies, the us and the uk, including samuel coleridge taylor (the youngest delegate), john alcindor, dadabhai naoroji, john archer, henry francis downing, and w. e. b. du bois, with bishop alexander walters of the ame zion church taking the chair. du bois played a leading role, drafting a letter ("address to the nations of the world") to european leaders appealing to them to struggle against racism, to grant colonies in africa and the west indies the right to self-government and demanding political and other rights for african americans.
first pan-african conference
when the first pan-african conference opened on monday, 23 july 1900, in london's westminster town hall, bishop alexander walters in his opening address, "the trials and tribulations of the coloured race in america", noted that "for the first time in history black people had gathered from all parts of the globe to discuss and improve the condition of their race, to assert their rights and organize so that they might take an equal place among nations." the bishop of london, mandell creighton, gave a speech of welcome "referring to 'the benefits of self-government' which britain must confer on 'other races ... as soon as possible'."
first pan-african conference