One of the African American fraternal organizations in Columbus is the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World T. P. Harris Lodge No. 1495 or “IBPOEW”.
Seen here in the 1970s, A. L. Ryan served as exalted ruler. The organization continues to meet at their lodge located on Sixteenth Street North.
The national fraternity, founded by B. F. Howard and Arthur J. Riggs in 1898, is the largest African American fraternal organization in the world.
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