ancient egyptian arabic order nobles mystic shrine north and south america and its jurisdictions, inc.
Harram Temple No.23
(PRINCE HALL SHRINERS)
A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc.
Oasis of Tampa – Desert of Florida
HPIP Anthony E. Jones – Illustrious Potentate
Organization Information
Who We Are…
Harram Temple was instituted in Port Tampa, Florida under the leadership of Noble John R. Hall, Illustrious Potentate in 1896. Here’s a point of history: during this time, they were called Rising Star No.23 before the name was changed to Harram Temple No.23. Rising Star was moved to Tampa, Florida in 1900. Harram Temple No.23 was Chartered September 25, 1927. Prince Hall Shrinedom embraces all the basic fundamental concepts of the Masonic Order but is more colorful with a broader spectrum of visibility by the manner in which it serves as a charitable non-profit organization and dispenses charity in the community and the care for its own.
SHRINE HISTORY
Noble John G. Jones established our organization on June 3, 1893. Its incorporation took place on December 12, 1900. The Shrine Organization takes great pride in its Auxiliary, which is comprised of wives, sisters, mothers, and daughters of the membership – officially styled, the Imperial Court Daughters, an auxiliary of the A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc. The Daughters are led by the Imperial Commandress.
The Imperial Potentate is the senior elected officer of, the Shrine. The men of the organization, known as Nobles, wear the Red Fez and the women, known as Daughters, wear the White Fez. Most importantly, both are community servants.
The Imperial Council of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles Mystic Shrine North and South America and Its Jurisdictions, Incorporated and Harram Temple No.23 (Prince Hall Shriners) is a benevolent, charitable, educational, and fraternal organization, dedicated to charitable, civic, economic, and educational development programs.
Our Worldwide Fraternal Shrine family has a membership of approximately 35,000 in some 250+ Shrine Temples and 200+ Courts (Daughters, an auxiliary of the A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc.) throughout the Continental United States, the Bahamas, Canada, England, Germany, Guam, Hawaii, Italy, Japan, Korea, Panama, Spain, and Thailand.
We foster a multitude of national charitable programs: The Prince Hall Shriners Foundation, Inc. a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which is established to provide financial resources to help support the following initiatives: Health Care, through its National Community Health Initiative (NCHI) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA), St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, partnership with the NAACP Voter Education/Registration program, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Mentorship: Minority – male youth who have at-risk or high-risk educational deficiencies will have a forum to improve these deficiencies through the Shriners As Mentors (SAM) program; this gives economically deprived youths who achieve academic success in high school an opportunity to receive financial assistance to attend college or specialized trade schools through the Imperial Council Student Aid program.
On the local level, Harram Temple No.23 is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization. Some of the charitable endeavors and programs the Temple is involved with include the following: support to the Educational/Charity Program, which covers (School Supplies/Book Bags), Temple Youth Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Shriners as Mentors Program (SAM), National Community Health Initiative (NCHI), the Hillsborough County Branch NAACP Voter Education/Registration Drives and Volunteer Programs at the Tampa Metropolitan Ministries, Feeding Tampa Bay Mobile Food Pantry, and the Homeless Outreach Programs through working in the community. Annually, the Temple awards five $500.00 Watts Sanderson, Jr. Memorial/Educational Grants to five selected and deserving college/university bound students, to include vocational/trade school students, to help offset and defray any unexpected out of pocket expenses they may incur. Members of the Temple prepare and distribute over 70+ food baskets during their Annual Holiday Food Basket Program for selected less fortunate families in the community. In addition, the Temple sponsors and operate the Annual Clothes Closet Give-a-Way/Distribution Program for those in need of clothing, shoes, toys for children and much more!
Pledge of the Nobility
WE PLEDGE OURSELVES, as citizens, to conduct ourselves with due propriety, conforming to our established laws, in cooperation with our nation and its authorized officials.
WE PLEDGE OURSELVES, to maintain exacting high standards in our respective community life, that “DEMOCRACY” may become a living reality.
WE PLEDGE OURSELVES, to the promotion, along with other thoughtful citizens, of modern and practical legislation enacted by any government agency that will redound to the benefit of our “AMERICAN” way of life.
WE PLEDGE OURSELVES, to support duly constituted authority for the elimination of anti-social conditions, wherever found to exist, that we and all other people may enjoy a rich, round and full life.
WE PLEDGE OURSELVES, to morally support and encourage every social agency that has for its purpose the maintenance of the highest ideals of the people of the nation.
WE PLEDGE OURSELVES, to cooperate fully in disseminating “TRUTH”, among the people of the earth, to the end that “DEMOCRACY” shall prevail forever, and the peace of every nation be preserved.
“Learn more! Do more! Be more!”
Illustrious Potentate: HPIP Anthony E. Jones
Chief Rabban: HPIP Alvin E. Walker
Assistant Rabban: HPP Alvin E. Walker
Treasurer: Noble Anthony Pearson
Recorder: Noble Landry Alexander
Imperial Deputy of the Oasis (Tampa): HPIP Lesley “Les” Miller, Jr.
Temple Website: https://www.harram23.org
Imperial Deputy of the Desert of Florida: PP Louis T. Harper
Desert of Florida Website (Nobles): https://www.aeaonmsflorida.org
Imperial Potentate (A.E.A.O.N.M.S., Inc.): Honorable PP Eric R. Myers, (Retired)
Imperial Council Website: https://www.aeaonms.org