Beale Street Corvette Association
Memphis, TN
The Renown Beale Street Corvette Association (BSCA) was created by Mr. Ben Gilbert. Ben was a member of the first black corvette club in Memphis, known as the Vette-Sette Memphis. He chartered the name Beale Street Corvette Association with the State of Tennessee on February 4, 1983. Ben and his lovely wife, Linda were the only members at that time. Early in the year of 1997, Ben started to recruit members to join BSCA. The first member was Mr. Matthew Black, who also came from Vette-Sette Memphis. Matthew then recruited Mr. Donald (Don) Vaughan. Don recruited Mr. Harrison Stephens and Mr. Frankie (Hill) Porterfield. Ben Gilbert passed away shortly after the first meeting (WHEN was the first meeting held?) With the blessing of his beloved wife, Mrs. Linda Gilbert, the remaining members carried on his legacy with BSCA. In the year of 1998, the current four members; Matthew Black, Donald Vaughan, Harrison Stephens, and Frankie Porterfield began to organize and look for other corvette owners that shared the same goals and ideas to be the best corvette club in Memphis. The Vette-Sette Memphis was very instrumental in the efforts and supporting the goals of BSCA. The year of 2002-2003, Beale Street Corvette Association was an all black and all male group and it was discovered that women in the city and nearby cites wanted to join the club. After careful consideration, the club decided to accept not only women but any race that supported the BSCA goals and ideas, which BSCA remains to be an interracial and gender free club. BSCA is known for the following Contributions and involvement within the Memphis Community and surrounding areas: o The Memphis Community Partners: delivered and set up over 100 box fans to the elderly. o Scholarship Fund for all schools in the Whitehaven area. o Annual Community Picnic for all Elementary Student, parents, friends and family who wanted a free meal. During the picnic, 500 hundred back packs filled with supplies would be given away. o Created and delivered all ingredients for a full Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner for the less fortunate. Members were also asked to check in their own neighborhoods for children that would not Christmas gifts or wish list items due to financial hardship/status. These families usually consisted of Single mother home with three to four children and/or who received government assistance. Once a list was compiled of families in need, the members would take a voted on which families they would support. Majority of the time, the funds needed would total more than a couple of hundreds of dollars in order to complete the mission, which was given out of member’s contributions. The deliveries consisted of eight to ten Corvettes to deliver the dinners and toys to the families. o Since COVID- drive through visits/gift deliveries for sick/shut individuals, as well as for High School Graduates.
Our mission at A.C.R is to create a circle of great people that unites together to enjoy the beauty and luxury of America’s #1 muscle car. While providing a healthy balance to our everyday lives. All While impacting our communities with public service & benefits to aid in community development.
Recent Comments