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still shot form the documentary, The Strange Demise of Jim Crow
Quentin Mease in a recent interview
Mease, a native of Iowa and decorated Air Force veteran of World War II, came to work for Houston YMCA in 1948. Mease quickly realized how poor Houston's black YMCA facilities were and pushed for a new YMCA facility in the black community. Mease was instrumental in getting South Central YMCA built in 1955 on Wheeler St., across the street from the TSU campus.
Under Mease's directorship, the South Central YMCA became a vital center of community activity, housing a kind of Negro Rotary called the Business and Professional Men's Club.
In 1960, Quentin was considered one of Houston's most respected and influential African Americans. When Dr. Samuel Nabit felt it was no longer a good idea to house the student protest headquarters on the TSU campus, Mease offered the South Central YMCA as a new location. Many YMCA board members did not think this was such a great idea.Mease became very influential in the movment, serving as a bridge between powerful people in the African American community and the white communities. Mease also served as Eldrewey Stearns' mentor.
There is currently a Harris County hospital named in honor of Quentin R. Mease.we would be grateful to hear your personal stories, suggestions and comments