Atlantic City in Atlantic County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Clifford J. Newsome
1900-1981
Photographed By Don Morfe, January 19, 2016
1. Clifford J. Newsome Marker
Inscription.
Clifford J. Newsome. In 1929, C.J. Newsome was a founder of the Atlantic City Board of Trade (ACBT), which became the Black Chamber of Commerce, promoting Atlantic City as a place for African American conventions. An outstanding leader of St. James A.M.E. Church, he belonged to many civic and fraternal organizations. He served as a District Deputy Grand Ruler of the Elks for 19 years. In 1941, over 100,000 people lined up on the city’s Northside to see an Elks Parade, a product of Newsome’s efforts. An Atlantic City Electrical Bureau Inspector, Master Mason and Shriner, he successfully brought African American businesses and conventions to the resort where dollars were spent on the Northside, far from the Boardwalk hotels, from which African Americans were barred. C.J. Newsome operated Newsome’s Guest House, one of many Northside rooming houses that welcomed African American guests. The ACBT lost most of its influence with the advent of the civil rights movement, when the walls of segregation crumbled.
In 1929, C.J. Newsome was a founder of the Atlantic City Board of Trade (ACBT), which became the Black Chamber of Commerce, promoting Atlantic City as a place for African American conventions. An outstanding leader of St. James A.M.E. Church, he belonged to many civic and fraternal organizations. He served as a District Deputy Grand Ruler of the Elks for 19 years. In 1941, over 100,000 people lined up on the city’s Northside to see an Elks Parade, a product of Newsome’s efforts. An Atlantic City Electrical Bureau Inspector, Master Mason and Shriner, he successfully brought African American businesses and conventions to the resort where dollars were spent on the Northside, far from the Boardwalk hotels, from which African Americans were barred. C.J. Newsome operated Newsome’s Guest House, one of many Northside rooming houses that welcomed African American guests. The ACBT lost most of its influence with the advent of the civil rights movement, when the walls of segregation crumbled.
Location. 39° 21.698′ N, 74° 26.056′ W. Marker is in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in Atlantic County. Marker is at the intersection of Artic Avenue and Indiana Avenue on Artic Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Atlantic City NJ 08401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 1, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 448 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 1, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on January 16, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.