13. A.J. McClung YMCA
The Honorable Arthur Joseph "A J" McClung (1912-2002) used the YMCA as a tool to engage, educate, and enrich African American youth, laying a strong foundation for their future endeavors.
McClung, Columbus native and son of a former slave, believed in the importance of all people to reach their full potential. He graduated from Tuskegee Institute and later studied at both the Columbus University (New York) and George Williams College (Williams Bay, Wisconsin). When the United Services Organization (USO) expanded their efforts to USO sites for African American service members the former high school teach and coach trained to become a program director at Columbia University.
After an initial assignment managing an African American USO in Panama City, Florida, he moved to Columbus, Georgia to manage a newly constructed African American USO on Fifth Avenue. McClung worked to make it a home away from home for African American service members providing talent shows, musical programs, movies, and other entertainment. He also took work home with him as his Fourth Avenue home was often filled with young soldiers enjoying a home cook meal.
After a short detour to a USO at Shepherd Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, he returned in 1954 to accept a position as the Executive Director at the Ninth Street YMCA. McClung and realtor E. E. Farley, were charter members the Lambda Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. which had been established May 14, 1945, in Columbus. Both were politically active during the civil rights era, playing a pivotal role in quelling racial unrest in the early 1970s. McClung, the first African American to serve on the Public Safety Board, was instrumental in the 1970 consolidation of the city and county governments.
After Mayor J.R. Allen was killed in a tragic plane crash, McClung was the first African-American to serve as mayor in a major Southern city in 1973 (for 52 ½ days).. All together he served the residents of Columbus for almost 30 years.
Columbus erected a new YMCA on Brookhaven Boulevard (later named Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard) in 1965. That facility was later renamed to recognize his life of service to the YMCA and the community. Because he was instrumental in bringing the annual Morehouse-Tuskegee football game to Columbus, Memorial Stadium was renamed the A J McClung Memorial Stadium.
Submission composed by Joyce Wade, April 1, 2017.
References and Further Reading
Columbus Consolidated Government. “Black Pioneers in the Historical Development of Columbus, Georgia Community.” Exhibition at Columbus Ironworks and Exhibition Center, Pamphlet, February 7 – 14, 1990. Columbus State University Schwob Library Archives.
James-Johnson, A 2015. “Sunday Interview with Lillian "Bunky" McClung.” (Available at http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article44930010.html) (Accessed March, 2 2017)
McClung, A J nd. “McClung Resume.” Columbus State University Schwob Library Archives.
Ramsey, R & McClure, B nd. “The YMCA of Metropolitan Columbus, GA.: Our History.” (Available at http://www.columbusymca.com/cms-view-page.php?page=our-history) (Accessed March 2, 2017.)