Manufactured by
Unidentified
Used by
Black Men of Labor, Inc., American, founded 1994
Date
2009
Medium
plastic, cloth, metal
Dimensions
34 3/4 × 4 1/2 × 4 1/2 in. (88.3 × 11.4 × 11.4 cm)
Caption
The Black Men of Labor (BMOL) is an exclusively all-male krewe, or parading group in New Orleans founded in 1993. The founding generation of the organization all came from building arts trade families and the group originally paraded the Sunday of Labor Day weekend in honor of the working men and women of New Orleans.
This umbrella was used by BMOL members during their 2009 annual parade.
The mission of the BMOL is to "educate, preserve and perpetuate the rich African and African American culture of New Orleans traditional Jazz music. Through arts and culture the BMOL promote civic engagement and creates opportunity for those interested in building sustainable income and wealth" (Black Men of Labor 2013). BMOL is one of many benevolent societies that were created in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries to help free and enslaved Africans cope with financial hardships.
Description
An umbrella used in the 2009 Black Men of Labor parade in New Orleans. The umbrella has metal and plastic ribs with a black plastic shaft and a curved handle. The canopy of the umbrella is white with a floral pattern made with silver dots. It also has a repeating, green, sunburst design throughout.
Place used
New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Clothing - Costume
Type
umbrellas
Topic
Associations and institutions
Building Arts
Clothing and dress
Communities
Costume
Fraternal organizations
Holidays and festivals
Jazz (Music)
Labor
Men
Social reform
Societies
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of The Black Men of Labor, Inc.
Object number
2015.260.11
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5beceae28-6c3e-4023-9a55-72efee7a97b5

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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