Platta Temple #15

Platta Temple No. 15 is privileged to be based in a historically rich andstoried city. Its culture has always been diverse, having been under French,Spanish, and American possession and influences. As a major seaport citybustling with activity, many Negroes of early times were free men of color,some having never been enslaved, and had the opportunity to acquireproperty and tangible goods.Platta Temple No. 15 was incorporated here in New Orleans onNovember 8, 1904. Dedicated, committed, proud free men of color arecarrying on the mission of our order handed down from men with hope,energy, vision, and untiring effort; Platta Temple No. 15 survived thecomplex challenges that many faced before the Supreme Court Decision,June 3, 1929. It has survived the Great Depression, Military Wars andconflicts, and the Civil Rights Era, always continuously supporting the causeof equality for allAs we look over the roster of the Illustrious Potentate and reflect on theleadership provided for Platta Temple No. 15 and its many activities over theyears, we are thankful and humbled by the bountiful and divine grace thatcontinues to carry us day to day. We have been truly blessed and continue toacknowledge it every day.Over the years, Platta Temple No. 15 activities have includeddistributing toys for the Times-Picayune Doll & Toy Fund, Can Shakes forthe annual March of Dimes/ Easter Seal Foundation; Can shakes for NationalDiabetes Association; Can Shakes for the Sickle Cell Anemia Telethons inNew Orleans and Houma LA; and clown performances at the Children'sHospital, the Prince Hall Legal Fund, the NAACP, and Ronald McdonaldHouse.Shrine clubs include the Bogalusa Shrine Club, first headed by R.O.Lucas, which has now evolved into the Bogalusa/North Shore Shrine Cluband now the North Shore Shrine club; the West Side Shrine Club, first led byAndrew T. Robinson; the Houma Shrine Club, first headed by ClarenceHolmes; the Motor Patrol, first run by Clifford Magee and David Crier; theDune Buggy Patrol, first led by William J. Harris; and the Grenadier Club,presently inactive; The World Champion Bicycle Unit first headed by HPIPHerbert Dunbar.27History of Platta TempleIn addition to the Illustrious Potentates who helmed this temple, werecall and add the many names of Nobles whose contributions to PlattaTemple No. 15 and the Nobility enhance the storied history of this historicand honored temple. Like Past Potentate Joseph C. Long, Past Deputy of theDesert of Louisiana who still serves effortlessly.Also among them was Noble Richard A. Theodore, Sr., who joinedPlatta Temple No. 15 in April of 1916 and was very active in support oflitigation leading to the Supreme Court Decision of June 3, 1929. He servedthis Temple for 66 years and was an Honorary Past Potentate. Robert J.Vanhook, Jr. long, time Recorder and an Honorary Past Imperial Potentate;Marcus Neusadter, Publicity and an Honorary Past Imperial Potentate; EarleL. Bradford, Grandmaster, and an Honorary Past Imperial Potentate; HowardJ. Turner, Jr., Publicity, Imperial Deputy of the Desert and an Honorary PastImperial Potentate, Oliver P. Aaron, Imperial Marshall. All of the above havebeen called home by the Black Camel of Death.Presently working to serve our Imperial Council are:HPIP Deshannon Shabazz, Imperial Auditor;Frederick Bell, Imperial Convention Director;Richard A. Theodore, Jr., Imperial Deputy of the Oasis Emeritus;Jackie Robinson, Imperial Deputy of the Oasis Emeritus;HPIP William Jelks, Imperial Deputy of the Oasis;HPIP Percy Dunbar, Imperial Deputy Motor Patrol Emeritus;Warren Spears, Imperial Director of Media and Publicity Emeritus;HPIP Herbert Dunbar, Imperial Deputy Bicycle Department;Patrick Williams, HPP, Imperial Chanter of the Koran; andHPIP Edmund Melder, Imperial Chief Deputy of Security.As a Temple in the Deep South, we have steadily increased ourparticipation in the Imperial Council activities, including becoming a highlyfavored City (Oasis) to convene the Annual Session.It is our resolve to move forth for the betterment of Platta Temple No.15 and to magnify its impact within the greater community.

 

28Past Illustrious Potentates1904 – 1919 Unavailable1920 – 1930 A. W. Brazier1931 – 1944 J. J. Riley1945 – 1947 M. H. Carter1947 – 1948 E. W. Duncan1948 – 1949 Gilbert W. Smith1949 – 1952 Andrew Hebert1953 – 1959 C. L. Speaker1960 – 1962 Herman P. Bush1963 – 1964 Henry Citizen1965 – 1966 Jesse L. Wicker1967 – 1968 Oliver P. Aaron1969 Wilfred Duplessis1970 – 1971 Louis Keelen1972 – 1975 Richard A. Theodore, Jr.1976 – 1977 Alexander J. Fulton1978 – 1979 Joseph Mc Alfred1980 Howard Turner1981 – 1982 Henry Hunter1983 – 1985 Joseph C. Long, Sr.1986 – 1987 Elroy LeBlanc1988 – 1989 George Hansberry1990 – 1991 Huey Hill1992 – 1993 Joshua C. Clark1993 – 1995 Fred Bell1996 Kenneth Hall1997 – 1998 David Reed1999 – 2000 Raymond Boseman2001 – 2002 Warren Spears2003 – 2004 Charles Hawkins2005 – 2006 Jackie Robinson2007 – 2008 Cornell Manuel2009 – 2010 Joseph C. Long, Jr.2011 – 2012 Rene Watson, Sr.2013 – 2014 Alvin C. Harrison, Jr.2015 – 2016 Christopher Richard Sr.2017 – 2018 Reginald Beaco, Jr.2019 – 2020 David D. Jefferson Sr.2021 – 2022 Freud N. Alexandre2023 – 2024 Kernell E. Green,

 

Jr.***29Honorary PastImperial PotentatesHPIP Sammie McGowanHPIP Fred BellHPIP William G. JelksHPIP Warren SpearsHPIP Wilbert Thomas Sr.HPIP Floyd TruehillHPIP Edmund MelderHPIP Herbert DunbarHPIP Adam BlazioHPIP Percy DunbarHPIP Holly ThompsonJames AllenWinston BurdenRalph PresseyLeonard CouzanWilliam AtlasCharles GilbertPatrick WilliamsJames GoodenHenry MillerRandy ManeauEdward RussellHenry Smith, Jr.