I join Bro. Hodapp (who scooped me on this story) in congratulating W. Bro. Joseph Adegboyega on his installation on January 5 as Worshipful Master of Piedmont-Pioneer Lodge No. 685, AF&AM, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.Bro. Adegboyega is the first black man to be admitted to a "mainstream," traditionally white Masonic lodge working under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, and the only black man to become Master of a traditionally white lodge.
Dr. (he holds a Ph.D. in psychology, and teaches anger and stress management techniques) Bro. Adegboyega is originally from Nigeria, and is a life member of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Canada. When he moved from Canada, where he was raised in 1997, to North Carolina, he was steered towards a Prince Hall lodge after inquiring at local "mainstream" lodges.
He felt that as an AF&AM Mason he wanted to remain with AF&AM Masons in the U.S., and not join a predominantly black Prince Hall lodge. In 2001 he was accepted as a member in Winston-Salem. He progressed "through the chairs," and was installed as the lodge's Worshipful Master earlier this month.
In November, 2003 Bro. Adegboyega published a paper discussing his personal thoughts about the Grand Lodge of North Carolina's failure to enact a resolution to recognize Prince Hall Masonry. The Grand Lodge of North Carolina has continued to refuse to pass a resolution recognizing Prince Hall Masonry in the ensuing years.
His essay closed with:
Every True Mason, who is aware of the need to preserve this organization for future generations, must endeavor to ensure that, North Carolina AF & AM Fraternity is not perceived as a racist organization; by both current or active and prospective members. People within and without are watching our actions and inactions! We need more hands on deck in our charitable efforts to this world and in order to move this world forward in peace and harmony. To wear Masonic jewelry or to occupy an official Masonic position are not indicative of True Masonry. The mind-set and the moral behavior of a member are the necessary ingredients of True Masonry. Any group of men can call themselves Masons without necessarily acting as True Masons. True Masons must be the Light in the darkness for others to follow. Such were the past American Leaders who created this nation to become the envy of the world!Masons | Masonic Brotherly Love | Joseph Adegboyega | Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of North Carolina | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com
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