During a time when segregation and Jim Crow laws were standard practice in this country, African-Americans also faced barriers when it came to contributing to their communities through service organizations.

It did not matter if African-Americans wanted to help the needy by joining civic clubs like Rotary or Kiwanis. What mattered then was the color of one's skin, and those clubs were for whites only.

But to certain African-American men, what mattered most was uplifting the black community. Though they endured constant rejection from many white service organizations, they were determined to find a way to serve.

And so Frontiers International was born. Formed against horrific racial roadblocks in 1936, the group became the first African-American service organization in the United States. A local chapter was formed in 1948.

And now, 64 years later, despite recent declines in membership, the group's commitment and principle remain the same: advancement through service.

"African-Americans had no other place to go to back then, " Henry Holland, a Frontiersman since 1957, recalled. "Clubs like Kiwanis and Rotary were not opened to us."

Mr. Holland, a retired Anne Arundel County school principal and the oldest member of Frontiers International Annapolis Club, said now that those organizations have become inclusive, it is much harder to recruit members to the organization. With the racial climate improving over the years, Frontiers membership has become more inclusive, too. The group has welcomed its first white member, former county executive Joe Alton, and Parris Lane, the club's first female member.

Still, Frontiers is striving to maintain these milestones. "One of the Frontiers goals is to bring in new members," said current president Tony Spencer, who is one of Annapolis Frontiers' younger members. But that's a tall order, with other service organizations opening their doors to all.

These days the nonprofit group, one of 48 Frontiers chapters nationwide, maintains just 17 active members, but the group's impact in the community has been enormous.

Last spring, Frontiers, in cooperation with the Maryland Archives, donated 125 copies of educational CD-ROMs to county public schools and libraries. The CDs, which detailed local African-American history, were valued at $9,000.

Because so many of the Frontiers have personal ties to the county's educational system, the group's members knew the importance of supporting local schools.

"Teaching to me is a noble profession because you touch so many people," said former county teacher and club financial secretary Everett Pettigrew, who has maintained his Frontiers membership since 1955.

Lisa Kissinger, social studies coordinator for county public schools, said the combined efforts of Frontiers and Maryland Archives will enhance the local curriculum.

"It's better to have primary sources. Teachers are always glad to have high-quality materials they can use, " Ms. Kissinger said. "We were very excited Frontiers was able to donate the CDs ... it was very generous."

Mr. Spencer, a county Board of Education member and longtime community activist, said the donation will help ensure availability and access to information for all people, while revealing the continual role of African-Americans in shaping the country's history.

In addition to financial contributions to local organization, Frontiers International members also participate in mentorship programs and basketball camps, and offer yearly scholarships for youth. The group also makes substantial contributions to the Parole Health Center and to aid research of the skin disease vitiligo.

"If I didn't become part of it (Frontiers), there would be a void," Mr. Holland said. "I like to help and contribute to the community. It means so much to me."

Frontiers International, Annapolis Club meets at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at First Baptist Church on West Washington Street in Annapolis. New members are welcome. For more information, call 410-267-9012.

Published 10/29/00, Copyright 2000 The Capital, Annapolis, Md.

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