Chapter History

As early as 1968, Herman “Ace” Lawson, a Board Member of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. ® ® National organization, John “Mr. Death” Whitehead, George W. Porter, and Frisby Carter were members of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. ® Western Regional Chapter (now known as the Los Angeles Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. ®) until the Sacramento Chapter was created.

When meeting on occasions with other Tuskegee Airmen of Sacramento, they would often discuss the “old corps” and the forming of a chapter in Sacramento. Unfortunately, no one took any action for several years and this state of affairs continued from 1969 to August 1976. It was during August 1976 that George Cheaney attended the 1976 Tuskegee Airmen Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Once again, he was reacquainted with many of his old friends from the Tuskegee Training School. Upon his return to Sacramento, he visited with James “Big Ed” Edmondson to express his jubilation with the convention. However, he went on to express that George Cain was questioned by Edward Gleed as to why a chapter hadn’t been started in Sacramento where a larger number of the Tuskegee Airmen resided. Still motivated, “Big Ed” and Cain planned and held the first meeting at the residence of “Big Ed” on September 24, 1976. Others in attendance included James Anderson, Janie Johnson, George Porter, John “Mr. Death” Whitehead, Frisby Carter, Augustine Fairfax, Herman “Ace” Lawson, Vernon Proctor, Robert “Bicycle” Wilson, Calvin Hobbs, James Maree, Keith Stanigar, and Benny Wilson. It was also on that date that officers were elected. John “Mr. Death” Whitehead was elected to serve as President, Herman “Ace” Lawson as Vice President, Janie Johnson as Secretary, Benny Wilson as Treasurer, James Anderson as Legal Advisor, and Calvin Hobbs as Constitution & By-Laws Chairman.

The newly formed Sacramento Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. ® was incorporated by George Cheaney, James Edmondson, and Fred L. McLaurin on June 13, 1978, as a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Corporation. The chapter was established for “the purpose of historical, educational and social research; production and publication of literary and educational programs and projects; structure and grant educational scholarships, and engage in charitable activities.”

The chapter was organized as a membership organization serving the general public within the jurisdictional areas bordering North Central California from Redding, California to the North, Nevada State Line to the East, Fresno County line to the South, and West to the Pacific Coast.