Umbrella used in a Black Men of Labor parade in New Orleans
- Manufactured by
- Unidentified
- Used by
- Black Men of Labor, Inc., American, founded 1994
- Date
- 2012
- 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 2013 annual parade, which had an African-inspired theme. The 2013 theme also reflects the BMOL’s recognition of and connection to the African diaspora.
- 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 considered 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 2012 Black Men of Labor parade in New Orleans. The umbrella has metal and plastic ribs with a black plastic shaft and a curved plastic handle. The canopy of the umbrella is orange. Embroidered yellow circles are repeated on the canopy.
- 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
- 2015.260.5
- Restrictions & Rights
- Unknown - Restrictions Possible
- Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.