Our History
“To
Obtain the Unattained.”
History of Black Brothers Combined, Inc.
Around the country many black firefighters began to demand equal rights. On October 3, 1970, the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters (IABPFF) was founded. Here in Richmond, Norvelle Marshall and other black firefighters were concerned about how they were being treated in regard to hiring, transfer request and promotions. Norvelle Marshall contained an organization in Washington, D.C. and informed them about things that were happening here in Richmond and was told to contact Captain Arthur Page at Engine Company # 5. Captain Page informed them that they should talk with Theodore Fuller, Roscoe Friend, Norvelle Marshall, James Duke Stewart III, Everett Jasper, and others. So in 1973, the Black Brothers Combined (BBC) was formed. After setting up the organization the group decided to incorporate itself (June 14, 1974) and later join the IABPFF.
Black Brothers Combined was developed to ensure equality within the fire department. To establish an organization of social and civic nature which will promote the general welfare of the community by promoting and supporting social events and civic projects. They established as their motto, “To Obtain the Unattained.” The first officers were: Theodore ”Ted” Fuller, President; Roscoe Friend, Vice-President; Everette Jasper, Secretary; James Duke Stewart III, Sergeant-at-Arms. The organization met once a month at the home of James Duke Stewart, father of James Duke Stewart III.
On July 17, 1974, the Black Brothers Combined initiated a class action suit against the City of Richmond. The lawsuit charged racial discrimination in hiring assignments, transfers and promotions. Base on the following Firefighters: 76 Blacks, 331 Whites; Lieutenants: (1) Black, (88) Whites; Captains: (1) Black, (34) Whites; Deputy Battalions Chiefs (0) Blacks, (6) Whites; Battalions (0) Blacks, (6) Whites Assistant Chief: (0) Black, (1) Whites; Chief: (0) Blacks; (1) White. Shortly after the lawsuit was filed the City of Richmond began making some changes within the department: a black recruiting team was established to recruit more blacks, Everette Jasper was assigned as the first black instructor in the Training Division; Steve Foreman was assigned to fire prevention, James Moss was assigned to the Flying Squad, Black Firefighters was assigned to drive the Battalion Chiefs and other blacks were assigned to specialty companies. In March, 1977, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction barring further permanent promotions in the fire department until the lawsuit was decided. During the time pending the decision, the City of Richmond continued to make transfers and even began seeking out a new chief for the department. The members of Black Brothers Combined, Inc. went to work looking for someone who might consider applying for the position of chief. Meanwhile a federal judge ruled against the firefighters and the firefighters appealed the decision. Ronald C. Lewis of Philadelphia submitted an application for the position of chief here in Richmond and was hired as the first black fire chief and the first chief that did not rise through the ranks of the department. One month after the city hired Chief Ron Lewis, a federal judge upheld the original decision against the black firefighters.
At the arrival of Chief Lewis, changes were beginning to be made with Captain Arthur Page being promoted to Deputy Battalion Chief and Barbara Hicks-Springs was hired as the first female and first black female. James Stewart was temporarily assigned to the fire administrative office. Percy Riley replaced James Stewart. Blacks that had requested transfers had their transfers approved. These transfers caused the department to be integrated at all companies. The testing procedures being used by the City of Richmond for firefighters and officers was banned and revamped. The organization became involved with the community by providing Annual Easter Easter_Egg Hunts, Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets, adopting Norrell School and providing bikes for children. An alliance was made with the Philadelphia Fire Department and the Black Brothers Combined traveled to Philadelphia to join the Philadelphia Brothers at a basketball game. City Councilwoman Willie Dell and James Duke Stewart, representative to the NAACP were instrumental in providing advice to the group and was always prepared to assist with a place for meetings, advice and mentorship to the black firefighters.
After the changes began the organization became dormant. Some of the members remained financial but meetings were not held, commitment and participation began to wander. In 2000 a few loyal supporters realized the need to continue to strive for the goals that the group originally established and began to revitalize the organization. On Tuesday, August 21, 2000 a meeting was held at the home of Lt. James “Duke” Stewart. It was decided there was a need for interim offices in order to have they orders of business and decisions properly established. Upon the consent of those present, the following interim positions were established: President- Thomas L. Williams Sr., Vice-President James Duke Stewart, Recording Secretary- George Dean Jr. and Treasure-Glenn Grooms. They also look at the name of the group and to look at the department and decided a name change was in order. They needed a name that reflected the diversity within the department. After much discussion the name was changed to its current name, Brothers and Sisters Combined (B&SC) Professional Firefighters, Inc. of the City of Richmond, VA . Also, a change was made to the motto, “Lifting While Climbing” “To Obtain the Unattained”. The interim officers and members began to get to work.
The officers were introduced to the Fire department administration and the constitution and bylaws of the organization were amended to reflect the changes within the department (November 1, 2000). The objectives of the organization are to unite the minorities, to create a liaison between minority firefighters and the community, to collect and evaluate data on all deleterious conditions incumbent in all areas where minorities exist and to compile information concerning the injustices that exist in working conditions in the department and implement actions to correct them for ALL firefighters. Discussions about problems within the department were address, the number females and minorities that were being hired and the number of African American supervisors in the field. After this data was gather and presented to the administration showing that minorities and females were not being hire or promoted. The testing procedure for firefighters was changed, recruitments for minorities and females were held, and more African Americans have been promoted from firefighters on up to the Chief. Larry Tunstall, the first African American to rise through the ranks was promoted to Chief of the department.
Through the years, there have been changes and improvements have been made; however there is still room and the need for further improvements. The organization still is committed to working with the community and are providing Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets, participating in the city school lunch buddy program and while we stay true to our community commitments Brothers and Sisters Combined Professional Firefighters will also continue to be steadfast in its effort to assist in “Lift While Climbing” “To Obtaining the Unattained.