Welcome to the Plainfield Area Club of Frontiers International. We are a proud local club of Frontiers International, Inc. — one of the nation's historic African American civic service organizations.
Service is defined as the action of helping or doing work for the benefit of another. For generations, our members have united under a single purpose: to uplift the greater Plainfield community through youth mentorship, education, civic engagement, and dedicated leadership.
Our Roots & The Frontiers Legacy
The story of Frontiers International is grounded in resilience, vision, and collective progress:
- Founded in 1936: The organization was established on November 10, 1936, in Columbus, Ohio, originally named Frontiers of America, and formally incorporated on December 10, 1938.
- The Vision of Nimrod B. Allen: Led by Nimrod B. Allen — a prominent community leader and former Executive Director of the Akron YMCA — the organization was created during the Great Depression to provide African American men with a vital platform for civic service, fellowship, and community leadership at a time when mainstream service clubs excluded them.
- A National Movement: What began as a local movement quickly grew across the country, uniting professionals dedicated to addressing social inequities and elevating minority communities through constructive civic action. Today, men and women of color in 30+ clubs build on an 85+ year legacy of advancement through service.
Preserving Our History: Plainfield's Legacy
The Plainfield Area Club shares a connection to the national organization's history. Our chapter's own legacy members, Dr. Leonard L. Bethel (Professor Emeritus of Africana Studies at Rutgers University and Past Club President) and Frederick A. Johnson (Charter Yokefellow, Past Club President, and National Historian), authored the definitive historical text on the movement:
Advancement Through Service: A History of Frontiers International
A landmark work documenting the resilience, civic triumphs, and community impact of the Frontiers movement from its inception through modern times.
Who We Are Today
The Plainfield Area Club continues this tradition of service. We bring together civic-minded professionals, leaders, and community advocates across the greater Plainfield area. As Yokefellows, we are bound by our commitment to harness our collective resources, professional expertise, and time to build a stronger community. Through strong relationships with local schools, municipalities, and neighborhood organizations, we actively work to empower the next generation and address local needs.
