Thursday, June 18, 2020

Dr. Isaiah Henri Harrison Moore, Dean of College of Scriptures Bible School

Isiah Henry Harrison Moore Bow tie
Have you ever heard of my great grandfather, Isiah Henri Harrison Moor? Probably not, but I’m here to change that. Some say “if you don’t know where you come from you don’t know where your going”, others say “you don’t know who you are if you don’t know whom you are from”.
The last 10 years or so of my life I became much more acquainted with my family heritage and history, but also to the living presence of my ancestors. On May 12th, Lord willing, I will begin a series of memorial lectures honoring those that went before me.
For now, here is some info on my great grandfather, Isiah Henri Harrison Moor the second Dean at the Bible College, College of scriptures in Louisville , Kentucky.
[IMG]  Isaiah Henri Harrison Moore, second Dean of the College of the scriptures was born in about May 12, 1880. He was raised in Knox County, TN. Orphaned early, his mother died when he was two and his father, Henry Harrison Moore, died when Isaiah was three. His father was West Indian. He came to Tennessee from North Carolina. As his mother, Amanda Lucinda Devault, was dying at the age of 27she called little Isaiah to her bedside and said, “I want you to be a preacher. As a result Isaiah would say, “So I’ll go through fire to preach the Word of God. She named me for a preacher.”
His father was a Methodist minister. His grandfather had been Bishop J. J. Moore of the A. M. E. Z. Church. His father took his children everywhere he went following the death of his wife, Amanda. One man wanted little Isaiah but his father replied, “I can’t give you that boy. I promised Amanda I wouldn’t separate them.” Following his father’s death the children were taken to the County Home by a neighbor where they stayed a year until an uncle, John Devault, came to the home and got the four year old Isaiah who said about his uncle, “He led me from the poor house to the pulpit.”
Fifteen years later, as the 19 year old Isaiah sat on a porch of a parishioner, the two walked up asking where they could find Isaiah H. H. Moore. Thus the Church of Christ came into life of young Isaiah Moore. But the challenge of denominationalism was not over yet. Rufus Tipton, school teacher, friend, counselor and good Presbyterian who wanted to help his people became a strong influence on Isaiah. With no books available Isaiah and the other students received most of their information by lectures which they recorded on slate then onto paper. They would buy one tablet per year at a cost of a nickel earned by shining shoes. Isaiah Moore became a preacher at 15.
At 19 he built his first church. He was ordained the third Sunday of October, 1901, by Elder W. H. Dunbar who had been converted from the Baptists to the Church of Christ. Instrumental music was not an issue since the churches were too poor to even have a musical instrument. Later Isaiah found that in some Churches of Christ it was considered a “sin” to have a musical instrument in the church house. Moore replied, “We’ll go hand in hand then. Bowser was about fifteen years older than Moore. In 1902 Moore was attending a Presbyterian boarding school in Knoxville, Tennessee when he wrote to Ashley Johnson, President of Johnson Bible College, The two met by appointment in Knoxville. Johnson made a lasting impression on Moore that day by tipping his hat to the young man as a sign of his respect for him. While the Knoxville Presbyterian College taught a Calvinist course of study they made Isaiah Moore a member of its highest Bible Class due to his proficiency in scripture. Brother Johnson made Moore learn Scripture in quantity. That was Isaiah Moore. He was preaching for $5.00 per month. In 1904 Singleton came to Knoxville and brought Isaiah Moore to the preacher training school in Louisville, KY for which he had taught for twenty-seven years.
So, in 1904, Isaiah Moore came to Louisville to enroll in the Christian Bible School headed by A. J. Thompson, a white man. In 1944 Isaiah Moore was ministering in Paris, Kentucky. Sixty seven years ago Isaiah Moore enrolled in the Louisville Christian Seventeen years ago Dr. Moore became the Dean of the College. Let no man at this late hour in history feel sorry for himself because he is poor, black, or neglected or disadvantaged! Is Isaiah Henri Harrison Moore could do it then, anyone else can do it now! Or might we better say that if God can do it through him, He can do it through you. He is dead, you say? “Yet he being dead yet speaketh!” He is speaking in Oklahoma and in Pennsylvania, in Ohio and in North Carolina, in Indiana and Illinois and in Kentucky. He is speaking in Florida and Texas. He is speaking through his many Sons in the Gospel. He cannot be replaced. But he can be reproduced! I imagine that at this moment Isaiah Moor is bending the lord’s ear asking for funds for the College of the Scriptures.

The Benefits of Joining the Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated


The Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated (The “EWF” or the “Federation”)

is a not-for-profit membership organization, incorporated in New York City in 1937, which holds Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.  It is a tax exempt 501(C)4 Civic League, Social welfare organization having non-profit 501(C)3 status as well. The organizational structure provides for child entities (Locals) functioning to carry out the organization’s Aims and Objects on a grassroots level in their resident domains. The Locals provide the membership base and function through several committees and units each having their own responsibilities – youth, health, education, housing, women’s issues, music, ways and means etc. Any 25 qualifying members can submit a request to form a Local in their community.

§  History


In The Real Facts about Ethiopia, J. A. Rogers, writing of His Imperial Majesty, states: “Lastly, in one of his declarations Haile Selassie announced that he is the head, not only of Ethiopia, but of all people of African descent everywhere.”
During the Italian invasion of Ethiopia (1935-1941) a group of prominent Harlemites who were leaders of United Aid For Africa sought an audience with the Emperor of Ethiopia, His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, who was in exile in Bath, England at the time to discuss “financial matters”. In response to their request for His assistance and oversight in providing a coordinated and organized effort to support Ethiopia in her time of need, His Majesty empowered His emissary, cousin and personal physician, Dr. Malaku Emanuel Bayen, to establish the Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated with a Constitution and Bylaws with a lofty set of aims and objects summarized in this preamble:
“We the Black People of the World, in order to effect Unity, Solidarity, Liberty, Freedom and self-determination, to secure Justice and maintain the Integrity of Ethiopia, which is our divine heritage, do hereby establish and ordain this constitution for The Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated”.

In 1945 the Emperor granted land in Shashemene, Ethiopia into the care of the EWF, Inc. for sons and daughters of African Slaves in the Diaspora who desired to return to the Motherland – with a promise to provide more land as needed.  He therefore created a Perpetual Land Grant. In 1970, the Emperor personally appointed Ras Marcus Selassie (Solomon Wolfe), then a Director of the EWF, Inc. Charter #43 in Kingston, Jamaica as Administrator of the Land Grant. He still maintains his post, living on the Land Grant, and along with the EWF, Inc. Resident Country Representative, can be reached at: 011-251-4611-03925.
Benefits of Membership

Based on the Constitution and By-laws of our Organization, the following are some of the benefits that The Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated is expected to provide for its members, and some that it may elect to provide based on its registration, the social and economic issues facing the membership, and the character of the organization.  Locals and Headquarters must work together to attain our aims and objects and provide charitable services “without fee or charge”.  We welcome members and professionals (member or non-member) who can offer services to our members and the communities that we live in – at home and abroad.

§  Sovereignty & Indigenous Rights
§  Repatriation & Reparations
§  Employment
§  All areas and level of Education
§  Welfare/Social Services
§  Health Services
§  Death Benefit
§  Credit Union
§  Labor Union
§  Housing
§  Vocational Training
§   Industry, Agriculture, Trade, Cooperatives
§  Legal Support
§  Prison Services /Ministry
§  Juvenile/Children Services
§  Rehabilitation
(Drug and Crime)
§  Homeless Services
§  Music Unit/ Cultural Expression
§  Women’s Issues
§  Senior Services

The membership of The Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated is committed to “doing all we can to restore the continent of Ethiopia-Africa to her former state of complete independence and self-reliance thereby effecting a social and economic betterment of the race everywhere and humanity in general.”  All members are encouraged to become involved in a revitalized effort by the organization, which includes:
§  (a) attaining the aims and objects of the Constitution; (
§  b) participating in an international membership drive – each one bring one;
§  (c) developing local charitable programs;
§  (d) participating in at least one Local and one International Committee;
§  (e) helping to raise funds to function the registered projects in Ethiopia,
§  (f) coming together with a united approach for the organized Repatriation with adequate Reparations for the Black Family in the Diaspora with involvement of International agencies, world governments and other entities that benefited from the African holocaust.  Excerpts of the Aims and Objects:

Article I Section 2. The aims and objects of the Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated, shall be:
§  (a) To promote love and good-will among Ethiopians at home and abroad and thereby to maintain the integrity and sovereignty of Ethiopia, to disseminate the ancient Ethiopian culture among its members, to correct abuses, relieve oppression and carve for ourselves and our posterity, a destiny comparable with our idea of perfect manhood and God’s purpose in creating us; that we may not only save ourselves from annihilation, but carve for ourselves a place in the Sun: in this endeavor, we determine to seek peace and pursue it, for it is the will of God for man.
§  (b) To promote and pursue happiness; for it is the goal of human life and endeavor.
§  (c) To usher in the teaching and practice of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man.

LOCALS
Locals (branches or charters) of the Federation are located worldwide. The Constitution has guidelines for the function of Locals and the Executive Council/Board of Directors/Headquarters, and provides for Committees and units addressing matters including membership, ways and means, education, information, juvenile and musical units, women’s issues, publicity, health, a Death benefit, etc.  Locals must function to benefit their communities by providing charitable services within their domestic domain. Membership joining fee still remains at US$1.00 and membership dues are only 10c per week ($5.20 per year) – as it was in 1937. Donations are also welcome.

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated Convention 2020


To: Family, friends, and colleagues
From: Hashim Ali Jabar OdoKhan-EL
CC: EWF International Executive Council, We the Black Peoples of the World
Date: June 15, 2020
RE: Benefits of the Ethiopian World Federation Inc.

Peace and blessings family,
I am writing to share that I am a member and the 2nd Vice President of one of the greatest “Black” organizations in the world, that you have probably never heard of- the Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated. (EWFHeadquarters.org). I am a member of its International Executive Council, and I am also the chair of the Special International Education and Information Committee.
The Ethiopian World Federation, Incorporated (The “EWF” or the “Federation”), is a not-for-profit membership organization, incorporated in New York City in 1937, which holds Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations.  It is a tax exempt 501(C)4 Civic League, Social welfare organization having non-profit 501(C)3 status as well.
The organizational structure provides for child entities (Locals) functioning to carry out the organization’s Aims and Objects on a grassroots level in their resident domains. The Locals provide the membership base and function through several committees and units each having their own responsibilities – youth, health, education, housing, women’s issues, music, ways and means etc. Any 25 qualifying members can submit a request to form a Local in their community. The Federation has land grants in Ethiopia, Ghana, Senegal, and Liberia.
With all that said dear family, I have recently founded two locals named for members of my family, the Collins Clan and Dr. Isaiah Moore. I am inviting you to become a member of this International organization, to join a local, or to start a local. From my perspective an EWF local is the next stage in development of the black summer family reunion, the neighborhood block association on steroids-with much greater reach, influence, and authority.
For many generations African American families have gathered during the summer to attend family reunions. The family reunions included regular traditions such as the “family reunion T-shirt”, cookouts, trips to museums, banquets or formal dinners, and church on Sunday. Many of our elders, who are now deceased, sacrificed, and committed themselves to make sure that families knew their history despite being interrupted by the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Many elders did the painstaking work of going back to the census records to track the family lineage as far back as possible, and this includes my family.
The family reunion is a tradition that honors and respects family, brings cousins and family members from all over the country together once a year or every other year to make sure that the familial bond is tight and the family history is kept. The family history serves as a shared sacred knowledge for all members. An EWF Local is the expansion of our familial traditions as a people, to a more formal legal and business minded structure to guide our families into the future.
Since the Covid 19 or coronavirus pandemic started in America, families have been gathering through social media, online conferencing, and the like to make sure that everyone was okay and that the elders were tended to. An EWF local is similar to the family reunion in that it brings the family together or any group of persons together, but the difference is that it has significant legal protections for all of those that are members.
In Dayton Ohio in the 1950s and 60s my grandparents were members of block associations. Block associations or resident associations are groups of people that form formal
associations, that are residents of a particular area, who work together to maintain a safe and attractive neighborhood. Block associations help neighbors organize themselves, know one another, represent their interests to the local government, help to keep the neighborhood safe by communicating freely with one another, and by reporting anything of interest or disturbance that need reporting.  Block associations and resident associations:

·       bring together neighbors who share common issues
·       give neighbors a collective voice to call for change
·       build community by encouraging neighbors to get to know one another, to look out for one another, and to take the initiative to make change
·       are typically democratic by nature and include outreach to neighbors, regular meetings, nominations and lections, and operational standards such as bylaws.

Bylaws typically outline:

·       Membership dues
·       Officer descriptions
·       Election protocol
·       Decision-making
·       Meeting protocol
·       Communication
·       Finances
·       Bylaw modification

While the country is in a “national state of emergency”, the government has a significant increase in its already wide-ranging powers. The EWF adds protections to its members in this covid 19 era; against government “tracers”, imposed quarantine, FEMA camps, and the like.
I am inviting you to become a member of the Ethiopian World Federation Inc. and be a part of it’s online convention on July 16, 2020. (EWFHeadquarters.com) to celebrate it’s 83rd year and also to support me as I run for the elected position of International President.  You can email ewfhq2vp@gmail.com for information. 

Thanks,

Hashim Ali Jabar OdoKhan-El
(Cousin Quinn Foster)