A LOOK BACK: KAPPA HISTORY
Above: Standard Theatre ad. Philadelphia Tribune August 13, 1971.
(including three Pierce Arrows, a unique town car, a custom-built limousine, a roadster, a Packard touring car, and two other modest automobiles). Regarding his home, Gibson stated, “This is my home, and I enjoy it. But I do not need it all for myself . . . It is for our own people to see and enjoy as much as it is for us to live in . . . We want them to share our hospitality. ‘Elmira’ belongs to our race, and we want everyone to enjoy it.” Gibson’s shrewd business acumen, experience, and good fortune positioned him to be able to purchase another flailing Philadelphia theater, the Dun- bar Theatre, for $120,000 from a local banker who was having financial prob- lems. Gibson opened the New Dunbar Theatre, a 1,600-seat theater, and jazz club, at the corner of Broad and Lom- bard streets in October 1921. He hosted major performers such as Duke Elling- ton and Paul Robeson at this venue. Ticket sales from the Standard and the Dunbar made Gibson among the wealthiest in Philadelphia. He was regularly seen riding in the back of his red Pierce Arrow, driven by a White chauffeur. Gibson credited his wife, Ella for his success and advising him to purchase the Dunbar Theatre, stating, “She would not stand to see the Dunbar lost to the Colored public.” A February 12, 1921, Philadelphia Tribune article expounded on Gibson’s commitment to excellence and devotion to his customers. It stated, “Mr. John T. Gibson, the proprietor, and manager, who has acquired untold wealth, is one of the most desirable men to meet; but with it all, he never forgets his patrons, their convenience, comfort, and plea- sure is always uppermost in his mind.”
Formal Recognition Bestowed and Philanthropy Gibson was hailed for his theater business savvy by those in and outside the industry. His competence to turn struggling theaters around and his small stature was often referenced by the nickname attributed to him, “Little Wiz- ard.” His successful business ventures resulted in numerous leadership ap- pointments. Gibson was appointed Vice President of the Theater Owner’s and Bookers Association (TOBA); Vice Presi- dent of the Managers and Performers vaudeville circuit; Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce member; Board of Trade; Broad Street Association; Director and Board Member, Douglass Hospital; and served as a Morgan College Trustee. He was also considered for the presidency of the National Negro Busi- ness League (1920). Gibson’s TOBA leadership was significant since it was traditionally run and organized by White men, who booked Black acts at lower rates than White vaudeville tours. Black performers would routinely have their shows canceled without warning or any recourse. Gibson’s leadership of TOBA provided fair treatment for Black artists. In 1925, Gibson was bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Laws by Morgan College (now Morgan State University), following his monetary gift of $5,000 to establish the John T. Gibson Memo- rial Fund at the school in 1924. The fund would benefit a professorship in business administration. At that time, he was the largest financial benefactor of the school and the most successful alumnus. That same year, Gibson donated $100,000 to the city of Philadelphia and the American Tennis Association to build 20 tennis courts for all local and
national tournaments at 34 th and Reed Streets. It was the most significant gift at that time ever made for promoting out- door sports, named the “John T. Gibson National Tennis Club,” for playing all local and national tennis championships. It was the only tennis club in the country for Black players with an instructor who gave personal attention to all beginners and professional competitions. The club offered 1,000 active memberships and 1,000 associate memberships. He held a mixed doubles championship at his estate, giving the winners a large silver trophy. Kappa Alpha Psi noticed Gibson as a person whose endeavors epitomized the Fraternity’s fundamental purpose of achievement. He was selected by the 15 th Grand Chapter delegates to become a member. A May 1, 1926, Philadelphia Tribune front page article notes that Grand Polemarch Earl B. Dickerson traveled to Philadelphia from Chicago “to carry out an edict [from the 1925 New York City] Grand Chapter Meeting” to initiate Gibson. He was assisted by Phila- delphia (PA) Alumni Chapter Polemarch John M. Marquess, Philadelphia (PA) Alumni charter member Cornelius G. Wooding (Lambda 1920) and Edgar G. Brown (Iota 1918). His initiation was followed by a cer- emony by his newly affiliated chapter, Gibson initiated. Philadelphia Tribune, May 1, 1926.
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