Credjafawn Social Club (Saint Paul, Minn.).

The Credjafawn Social Club is one of the oldest Black social clubs still functioning in the Twin Cities Black community. It was formed one evening in 1928 by ten young adults who sensed the lack of social activities for persons in their age bracket. The name was devised from a letter out of each of the names of the ten charter members.

Although conceived as a social/recreational club, the Credjafawns initiated some outstanding projects of importance for the Black community. During the years of World War II they began a cooperative food outlet. This store allowed their membership and the Black community to purchase foodstuffs at lower prices. Later this endeavor folded because of competition generated by the new concept of supermarkets. They also initiated the Credjafawn Credit Union. The credit union was established to provide low interest loans to club members, who, more oftentimes than not, were young with families. During times when white credit unions would refuse to grant loans to Blacks, the Credjafawn Credit Union provided resources for home improvements and college educations. In addition, the club regularly provided scholarship money for the deserving and scholastically excellent students.

The Credjafawns were also responsible for integrating some of the hotels and other facilities which refused to allow Blacks the use of their accommodations for dances and other social fetes. By sending members of the club who were light enough to pass for white to negotiate contracts, many facilities were thus integrated.

The Credjafawn Social Club Papers are important for two reasons. First, they are the only complete record of a social club in the Twin Cities for almost fifty years. Second, these papers demonstrate the inner workings of an organization dedicated to social betterment and upgrading of the Black community.

Historical data was provided by David Taylor, Director, Black History Project (1974).

From the guide to the Credjafawn Social Club records., 1927-1971., (Minnesota Historical Society)