Justice
The IBPOEW has championed civil rights and equal opportunity for Black Americans and marginalized communities, actively resisting discrimination and exclusion in society.
Empowerment
Through education, outreach, and health initiatives, the organization empowers members of the Black community and other underrepresented groups to achieve social and economic advancement
Legacy
For over a century, the IBPOEW’s tradition of service and pride has left a profound legacy in the histories of African Americans and other marginalized populations.
History of the elks
Legacy of Fraternity, Charity, and Positive Impact
The Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World (IBPOEW) has a rich legacy dating back to its founding in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1898.
Brought to life by Arthur James Riggs and Benjamin Franklin Howard, the organization arose from their shared vision of creating an inclusive Elks fraternity that welcomed people of color during a time of social adversity.
Their determination culminated in the first chartered lodge, Alpha Lodge No. 1, overcoming significant obstacles to lay the foundation for a national movement.
In September 1926, the IBPOEW held its first Texas State Association convention in Galveston, hosted by Oleander Lodge No. 550. This historic gathering brought together delegates from across the state, with Brother John Henry Clouser serving as State Deputy and Brother James Matthew Burr as State President.
The convention marked a significant step in uniting Texas lodges, strengthening statewide collaboration, and advancing the organization’s mission of leadership and service within Black and marginalized communities.
Early Growth and Women’s Leadership
The Daughters
Emma Virginia Kelley’s founding of the Daughters of Elks in Norfolk in 1902 marked a turning point for women’s involvement in the Elks. Driven by her teaching and church leadership background, Kellsey built the Daughters into a national force, giving Black women a meaningful place in an era of limited opportunities.
The first group, Norfolk Temple No. 1, began as a small local effort but quickly inspired new temples across the country, supporting women through charitable works, moral support, and organizational leadership.
Under her leadership, the Daughters provided a refuge and a platform for African American women facing poverty and marginalization. Through tireless outreach and organizing, Kelley united women “from the Atlantic to the Pacific,” building a network recognized by the Elks Grand Lodge.
Today her legacy is honored with the annual Emma V. Kelley Achievement Award, a tribute to her vision and the strength of the movement she inspired
California History
California’s earliest IBPOEW lodges were founded by visionary leaders who expanded the organization’s reach westward in the early 1900s, directly continuing the legacy begun by IBPOEW’s national founders Arthur James Riggs and Benjamin Franklin Howard.
As African Americans migrated to the West, leaders like those in Oakland and Los Angeles—including early officers and community advocates, sometimes mentioned in historical records such as members of Oakland Lodge No. 110 and Los Angeles Lodge No. 143—brought the organization’s principles of mutual aid, civic activism, and social unity to California’s growing Black communities.
Sacramento History
Sacramento’s Elks fraternal presence includes a long-standing tradition of community service and cultural leadership, represented by different lodges in the city’s history. The original Sacramento City Elks Lodge (Lodge No. 6) was founded in 1877, experiencing early challenges but eventually achieving a lasting historical impact through its renowned Elks Tower, completed in 1926, which remains an architectural landmark in Sacramento.
This historical overview provides essential context for the work and legacy of Capitol City Elks Lodge 1147, an IBPOEW chapter dedicated to service in Sacramento.
Capitol City Elks Lodge #1147 has fostered a tradition of fellowship, charitable outreach, scholarship programs, and cultural initiatives—serving as a vibrant center for community engagement in Sacramento.
The Lodge’s programs include scholarships for youth, cultural celebrations, support for veterans, and a wide range of service projects that promote unity and opportunity across the community. The Daughters of the Elks also plays an active role, rooted in principles of charity, justice, and community leadership.
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