Max Yergan

Max Yergan (1892 in Raleigh, North Carolina – 1975) was an African American activist notable for being a Baptist missionary for the YMCA, then a Communist working with Paul Robeson, and finally a staunch anti-Communist who complimented the government of apartheid-era South Africa for that part of their program. He was a mentor of Govan Mbeki, who later achieved distinction in the African National Congress. He served as the second president of the National Negro Congress, a coalition of hundreds of African-American organizations created in 1935 by religious, labor, civic and fraternal leaders to fight racial discrimination, establish relations with black organizations throughout the world, and oppose the deportation of black immigrants. Along with Paul Robeson, he co-founded the International Committee on African Affairs in 1937, later the Council on African Affairs.

Dr. Yergan came to South Africa in 1920 as a missionary for the YMCA. He was the first African American to do YMCA work in South Africa. As a YMCA activist he was interested in improving social work in the nation and this influenced the founding of the Jan H. Hofmeyr School of Social Work. As a whole his experiences in South Africa radicalized him to the point he came to desire a more radical direction for the YMCA than it was willing to accept. After attempts to radicalize the YMCA failed he resigned from the organization in 1936 and became committed to Marxism.

On his return to the United States Dr. Yergan became the first African-American faculty member ever hired at one of New York City's public colleges, City College of New York, teaching the course "Negro History and Culture" in the fall of 1937. It was the first time this course was offered within the City Colleges of New York. During the Rapp-Coudert hearings, informers reported that his class was "liberal and progressive." Dr. Yergan was denied re-appointment and dismissed for his politics.

The Cold War led him to become disillusioned with Communism and ultimately to become strongly hostile to Communism. In 1952 he spoke against Communism on a visit to South Africa and in 1964 he praised aspects of the South African governments "separate development" plan. In the last decade of life he co-chaired the conservative "American-African Affairs Association."

Yergan was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans.

Print reference

• Max Yergan Race Man, Internationalist, Cold Warrior by David Henry Anthony, III (2006, ISBN 0814707041)