The first significant expression of this objective occurred one warm, spring night in 1935, during the Cotton Carnival festivities, when Dr. R. Q. Venson, chairman of the Colored Jubilee Committee, acted on an idea which struck him. In his own words: “In 1934, while viewing the “Memphis Parade,” a part of the Cotton Carnival, I was sold on the plan. For the first time, realizing the great possibilities for the development of all phases of citizenship by a community. I pledged myself to make an effort to have the Negro citizens of Memphis identified in this great enterprise. And upon this determination, together with the face that it is impossible to exclude the Negro from cotton. This realization and determination on the part of Dr. Venson was the first step in the initiation of colored activities in the Cotton Carnival celebration. Out of it came the first organized colored activities in 1936, Dr. Venson organized a committee of colored citizens and formulated what was known as ‘Beale Street Cotton Makers Fiesta”. This was one of the most surprisingly successful celebrations and demonstrations ever staged by Memphis Negros. It included the choice of a colored king and queen. King Eddie Hayes and Queen Ethyl Venson, being the royal couple; a children’s parade, a children’s king and queen, a coronation parade ad dance; coronation ceremonies in Handy Park; a musical play depicting the life of the Negro through his songs, a grand parade and ball. And W. C. Handy, ‘the father of the blues’ as guest of honor. White and colored periodicals and individuals were lavish in their praise and commendation of this initial effort.” Nat D. Williams, over a period of 60 years, wrote hundreds of news articles on the MCMJ. “Nat D.” as those close to him called him, was a high school history teacher at Booker T. Washington High School. He was the first Disc Jockey for the radio station WDIA and a columnist for the “Memphis World,” a colored news weekly. I was one of those that referred to “Nat D.” Williams as “Nat D.” He was a member of St. John Baptist Church, 640 Vance Avenue, Memphis, TN 38126, where Dr. Venson (whom I affectionately called Uncle Doc) and I attended. In the 1940s, I would also see Nat. D at my uncle, Dr. R. Q. Venson’s office on Beale Street. Every Saturday, I would walk to Uncle Doc’s office from where I lived in the Foote Homes public housing projects. Most Saturday’s I would see Nat D. there. For these and other reasons, Nat D. and I became very good friends. The week after the first celebration of the Beale Street Cotton Makers’ Fiesta in May of 1936, Nat D’s article was published in the “Memphis World.” This article was devoted to Beale Street and the Beale Street Cotton Makers’ Fiesta. Excerpts from the article follow... Down on Beale By Nat D. Williams Beale Street is a noble land, of cabbages and kings — of Black folk and melody — of joy and hate and things… Beale Street crowns king… It was a symbolic event which occurred down on Beale Street last Tuesday evening. “Chocolate Avenue” chose a king and queen. For the first time in its long and rather lurid history. L’Avenue for Negros, bedecked with flags, bathed in the balmy warmth of mid-spring, and swaying to the rhythm of its traditional syncopate raised its eyes and its palms to its own official royalty this week. With a pardonable pride, the street looked about for the approval of its spectators... because for once, here were a king and queen for whom no apologies had to be offered. Well, a different kind of queen was crowned last Tuesday, was with a bit of surprise that the Avenue witnessed the coronation of its rulers, the other day. Many dusky subjects wondered aloud just when the queen was chosen. But the royal lady pleased the Avenue. It took one look and broke into applause… The lady was pretty and high “yaller.” That was sufficient. She was one of the three things the Avenue calls beautiful… “yaller” money, “yaller” automobiles, and “yaller” women. Beale Street is pleased with its queen. Most appropriately Beale Street’s king on this occasion is an undertaker. The Avenue applauded him when he was given his scepter. It was pleased by its kingly bearing. It liked the way in which he reared back when he drove up in the Royal Chariot… a 1936 Ford V8, owned and chauffeured by Professor Robert “Bob” Morris. We regret to Inform you that, due to time constraints and at the request of the mcmj, this is the end of this series in this publication, at this time. Please call (901) 496-1811 for additional information on the MCMJ. 35
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