Social clubs and groups like the Monday Club are not dissimilar from the merchant guilds of the medieval era. These guilds were formed in medieval Europe to bring together aligned individuals and business owners. Together united members of a guild benefited from mutual aid and assistance and shared production standards that they could not attain separately without unifying. The social club is a modern approach to uniting individuals in a similar way to strengthen the overall community.
Arguably the oldest social club of its kind in America, the Monday Club of Delaware began in 1876 as a place for Black men to gather, socialize and support each other and the community. It began as a place for laborers to come together to uplift each other as minorities. The club has evolved to welcome all men whose vision and goals align with what the club stands for: supporting one another and satisfying our responsibilities as leaders in the community.
Almost five years ago I had just moved back to the city of Wilmington proper. Around that time I was invited to what I perceived to be an all black bar. The atmosphere, food, friendship and sense of community was really special. After that night the Monday Club of Delaware invited me to join. Being white I didn’t even know I could be eligible to become a member, but I was very appreciative of the offer, so I gladly accepted, and they let me join the club.
A Guild’s Oath: Protecting the Collective
I do not do anything in this life without a strong sense of duty, effort and intentionality. Once I joined the Monday Club, I started showing up regularly, going to the barbeques and social gatherings, bringing my daughter Iris and helping with initiatives and board meetings prior to the pandemic. I began to understand the rhythm and cadence of the club and fell in love with it and its members. After understanding its funding levels and frequency of events, I began to expand my involvement finding ways how I could help the club and its mission.
I started volunteering solutions when we would discover problems we were facing as a club and social group. One year beer sales were low, but why? The members felt the beer wasn’t cold enough, so I offered to obtain a new cooler and connected the club with my equipment lady, and she found us a new one that kept the drinks very chilled. Over the following years I also helped the club acquire a new ice machine, upright refrigerator and lounge furniture.
The club’s strong sense of community compelled me to bring new members into the fold including ShopRite team members and business colleagues I knew had a similar community-first mentality in line with the Monday Club’s ethos of empowerment. I sponsored the application fees, golf outing foursomes and dinner gala tables to help incentivize participation knowing how valuable it would be to growing the club and advancing its mission.
The Communal Feast: A Shared Cultural Practice Spanning Centuries
The culture of food in the club’s community is amazing. All of the rich colors, flavors and smells. How it is all prepared with love and the rituals around collective eating demonstrates how we bond. I fell in love with all of it. The club and its members are so genuine with integrity personified. Any negativity is always in jest because we all need a good “ribbing” every once in a while, especially the deluded Dallas fans.
The Monday Club provides us men with a space to gather, be social and discuss important community initiatives. As a club, we provide scholarships, support families during the holidays and sponsor teams and events. I’m glad to be able to give back to the club by hosting events and providing funding for various club-sponsored projects. If you show up to something you believe in and put in the work, it will pay off. Some call it karma. Life is about the energy you release outwards to it and how it comes back to you and your community. I am happy to say my involvement in the Monday Club has truly been inspirational with a profound, positive impact on me, my family, my social circle and community.
I am truly humbled to share that at the Monday Club’s 126th Annual Ball this year, I was named the club’s “Man of the Year.” I’m so thankful for the recognition from my amazing peers, and I look forward to continuing to give back to such a great club.
For more information on the Monday Club and its “Man of the Year Award” visit its website here.
Here’s to another 100+ years of doing right by the community as Delaware’s leading social club for men. I will do my best to honor not only what this award represents but to also honor this incredible group of forward-thinking community leaders.
To the Monday Club and all of my brothers, I sincerely thank you,