The American Bridge Association (ABA) was formed in 1932 by black tennis players at Buckroe Beach, Virginia; During this time, blacks were excluded from most bridge events. The desire to compete in the sport of tennis, despite the racial barriers of the time, resulted in the creation of the American Tennis Association in 1916. The Association often held its matches on college campuses such as Hampton Institute, now Hampton University, and Lincoln University, where adequate facilities were available. One such championship event was held at Hampton in 1932. The participants in the first tournament were Dr. John L. McGriff, Portsmouth, VA; Drs. E.L. and L.L. Downing, Roanoke, VA; Dr. Furlong, Fayetteville, NC; and Dr. W.E. DuBissette, Endfield, NC, who later moved to New York and became the first president of the American Bridge Association. . This group was responsible for the creation and organization of the ABA, and sponsorship of the first national bridge tournament at Buckroe Beach, VA (Souvenir Journal, Buckroe Beach, VA)
The first President, Dr. M.E. DuBissette, (1933-1934) invited fans to an enjoyment of "honest and clean recreation, and to perpetuate Bridge as a National pastime with its goal the enviable record that has been made in the realms of sport by the American Tennis Association." In the first Souvenir Journal at Buckroe Beach, VA August 15th-18th, 1933, this quote was printed with permission from The Bridge World "The Bridge Players Decalogue.
Horace R. Miller -1935-1936. The ABA owed its flourish to the Cromwell School of Bridge in New York City- under the Administration of Horace R. Miller. It orchestrated the merger with the Eastern Bridge League, a group of New York City Clubs, led by Morgan S. Jensen and such notables as Chairman of the Rating Committee and Executive Secretary, Arthur Curiel; Chairman of the Executive Board, Faustine Gregoire; First Editors of the ABA Bulletin, Egar T.Rouzeau and William R. Tatum." According to J. Herbert Kerr of Cleveland, OH,"...This is the old guard, the pioneers, an epic of human progress..."
Dr. E.T. Belsaw The administration of E.T.Belsaw of Mobile, AL, lasted thirteen years (1936-1949), and it was during his tenure that the basic structure of the Association - organization, procedures, policies and administration- took shape, including the rotational principle of the annual convention in various cities, the master point schedule of rating competing players, the ABA Bulletin, the structural relationships of clubs and units, the sectional divisions of the Association(each headed by a Section Vice-President), the various levels of tournaments, and the spread of membership across the country.
As the ABA continued to grow, attention focused on the need for a permanent home. The goal of a permanent location was accomplished in 1994 when a building, which now houses ABA memorabilia and the ABA National Headquarters, was purchased in Atlanta, Georgia. In the 1980s, the American Bridge Association had selected the Schomburg Center in New York City to officially house its memorabilia. In 2005, the American Bridge Association published Defining Moments, a historical package which includes a written chronicle, a DVD of oral history, and playing cards. These components depict the movements, forces, and people who helped shape the history of the ABA. The entire package or any of its components may be obtained from the ABA National Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 1967 the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) removed the obstacle to ACBL membership for African-Americans when it included in its by-laws that no person shall be denied membership because of race, color, or creed. Historically, many states, particularly in the South, had laws that made card-playing between blacks and whites illegal. Some of those were: [1] Texas, [2] Tennessee, [3] Mississippi and [4] Alabama The ABA remains a predominantly, but not exclusively, black organization. It holds two national tournaments each year. The ABA has its own masterpoints system—similar to but different from the ACBL masterpoints system.
ABA MISSION STATEMENT The members of the American Bridge Association are committed to fostering an environment that stimulates competitive Duplicate Bridge card play, while respecting the basic worth of each participant at every level of performance. WE ARE COMMITTED TO recruiting and retaining members of the ABA through a diverse agenda of educational programs and a comprehensive slate of games. Officers and members of the ABA are also dedicated to encouraging individual members to upgrade their playing skills and performing at maximum potential, while providing challenging bridge games in an atmosphere of respect, tolerance, courtesy, kindness and friendship. Promoting, protecting and advocating a spirit of goodwill and positive interaction with local communities is a continuous goal. We recognize that our efforts are not terminal and therefore pledge our commitment to the ongoing task of optimum settings for the play of Duplicate Bridge.
Click to enlarge: The early days of ABA tournaments.
1932: The ABA was formed at Buckroe Beach, Virginia, by Black tennis players who were also passionate about bridge. During this period, they were excluded from most bridge events. The founders, part of the American Tennis Association, often held matches at Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) and Lincoln University. It was during one such championship that the idea of evening bridge games was born.
1933: The first National Bridge Tournament of the ABA was held in Buckroe Beach, Virginia, establishing the ABA as a vital platform for African Americans in the bridge community.
1936: The ABA expanded by merging with the Eastern Bridge League, a New York-based group. This merger helped solidify its nationwide presence, ultimately leading to the formation of eight regional sections.
1994: The ABA acquired a permanent national headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. This facility houses invaluable historical memorabilia chronicling the association's legacy.
2005: The ABA launched Defining Moments, a historical initiative including a written chronicle, oral history DVD, and commemorative playing cards—preserving key milestones and stories for future generations.
1967: A landmark year: The American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) revised its by-laws, allowing African Americans to become full members. This decision helped break down racial barriers in the bridge world.
Today, the ABA remains a vibrant and inclusive organization, welcoming players of all backgrounds. It hosts two national tournaments annually and maintains a masterpoints system similar to that of the ACBL. Proudly rooted in its legacy, the ABA continues to lead in promoting excellence and diversity in bridge.
Learn more about our history by visiting the History Page or connect with our National Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.
Since 1932
The American Bridge Association, Inc. members are committed to fostering an environment that stimulates competitive duplicate bridge "Card Play" while respecting the essential worth of each participant at every level of performance. We are committed to recruiting and retaining members of the ABA through a diverse agenda of educational programs and a comprehensive slate of games. The members of the ABA are also dedicated to encouraging individual members to upgrade their playing skills and perform at maximum potential while providing challenging bridge games in an atmosphere of respect, tolerance, courtesy, kindness, and friendship.
Promoting, protecting, and advocating the spirit of goodwill and positive interaction with local communities is a continuous goal. We recognize that our efforts are ongoing and pledge our commitment to creating the optimum settings for the play of Duplicate Bridge.
Happy Birthday, ABA! Since 1932 the members of the American Bridge Association continue to be committed to fostering an environment that stimulates competitive Duplicate Bridge card play, while respecting the basic worth of each participant, at every level of performance. WE ARE COMMITTED TO recruiting and retaining members of the ABA through a diverse agenda of educational programs and a comprehensive slate of games. Officers and members of the ABA are also dedicated to encouraging individual members to upgrade their playing skills and performing at maximum potential, while providing challenging bridge games in an atmosphere of respect, tolerance, courtesy, kindness and friendship. Promoting, protecting and advocating a spirit of goodwill and positive interaction with local communities is a continuous goal. We recognize that our efforts are not terminal and therefore pledge our commitment to the ongoing task of optimum settings for the play of Duplicate Bridge.
Discover a fascinating article on the past and present of #ababridge, featuring cherished members like Rita Thompson, Lynda J. Straker, and more. It features "The Forgotten Glamour of Black Bridge Clubs A century ago, African Americans fell in love with bridge. Excluded from whites-only leagues, they made the game their own, and for a few exhilarating decades, it played a starring role in the social and political lives of the burgeoning Black middle and upper classes. Can its legacy survive in the modern age?"....The article is featured in the March edition of Town & Country magazine.
This statement from the early history of the American Bridge Association (ABA) is rich with historical vision, cultural aspiration, and strategic alignment, especially when viewed in its 1933 context — during the height of racial segregation in America.
Here’s an analysis of its key components:
"An enjoyment of honest and clean recreation..."
Dr. M.E. DuBissette positions bridge not simply as a game, but as a morally upright and socially refined activity. This was significant at a time when Black Americans were frequently denied spaces of dignity and respect. By emphasizing “honest and clean recreation,” he reinforces a commitment to integrity, sportsmanship, and respectability — values that helped establish the ABA as a credible, self-governing body in a racially segregated society.
"...to perpetuate Bridge as a National pastime..."
This line underscores the ambition to institutionalize bridge within Black cultural life and elevate it to the same revered status as baseball, jazz, and other American pastimes. The word “perpetuate” implies continuity — a desire to build a tradition that would last and evolve with each generation.
"...with its goal the enviable record that has been made in the realms of sport by the American Tennis Association."
This is both aspirational and strategic. The ATA, founded in 1916, was already a respected national sports organization for African Americans, known for fostering Black excellence (notably producing players like Althea Gibson). By aligning the ABA’s goals with the ATA’s achievements, Dr. DuBissette not only sets a high bar but also situates the ABA within a broader Black self-determination movement in sport and society.
"...this quote was printed with permission from The Bridge World 'The Bridge Players Decalogue.'"
This final note reflects a deliberate effort to connect the ABA to mainstream bridge culture and thought leadership. The Bridge World was a leading publication in the bridge community, and quoting from it with permission signifies a desire for dialogue and legitimacy — not isolation. It shows that the ABA sought to maintain excellence and standards that aligned with the broader bridge world, even while navigating racial exclusion.
This short statement, especially when preserved in the first Souvenir Journal, reads like a foundational mission. It reflects a clear and dignified purpose:
to offer African Americans a space for fellowship and fair competition,
to build a proud tradition of recreational excellence, and
to do so with integrity and aspiration in a society that tried to deny them both.
It wasn’t just about playing bridge. It was about creating a legacy.
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