The National Afro-American League was formed on January 25, 1890 by Timothy Thomas Fortune

Timothy Thomas Fortune

Timothy Thomas Fortune was an orator, civil rights leader, journalist, writer, editor and publisher. He was born during slavery in Marianna, Jackson County, Florida to Emanuel and Sarah Jane Fortune.-Early life:...

. Preceding the foundation of the NAACP, the organization dedicated itself to racial solidarity and self-help. The organization became defunct in 1893 due to lack of support and funding.

In September 1898, Fortune presided at a meeting in Rochester, New York, called by A.M.E. Zion Bishop Alexander Walters, for the purpose of rejuvenating the League. The new organization, named the National Afro-American Council

National Afro-American Council

The National Afro-American Council, the first nationwide civil rights organization in the United States, was created in 1898 in Rochester, New York...

, existed until about 1908. Walters was the first president of the Council, while Fortune was the first chairman of the executive committee.

Many who originally supported the League and later, the Council, eventually started donating to the NAACP, which later became one of the most powerful anti-segregation

Racial segregation

Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home...

groups.