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The Wall Street Boys Association
c. 1925
There were numerous organizations and associations formed by African Americans in Harlem. The purpose of many of these clubs was social; however, these organizations also served as networking and support systems for doctors, lawyers, actors, politicians and businessmen and women in the community. Often they would have group portraits taken with the club's banner and insignia.
This photograph is of the Wall Street Boys Association. Research has not yet uncovered the purpose of this organization. However, the banner indicates some relationship to the financial industry (note the ticker tape machine and bull which are symbols of the stock market). There were several organizations founded in Harlem that were focused on economics. The Harlem Stock Exchange was founded in 1920 and the Harlem Businessmen's Club in 1927. There was also the Harlem Economic Association, and in 1900 Booker T. Washington organized the National Negro Business League in Boston, which at its height had over 40,000 members with delgates from 34 states. It should also be noted that Arthur Schomburg worked on Wall Street for the Banker's Trust Company for a number of years.
The Wall Street Boys Association was composed of a group of very distinguished looking gentlemen. It is not known whether or not they worked on Wall Street or what their association with it was (if any). However, they were an organized group of African-American men who felt that they were important enough to have their picture taken. It would be interesting to find out what their purpose was and who the individual members were.