BPOE

Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. Who are they, I wondered, so:

"The Elks had modest beginnings in 1868 as a social club for minstrel show performers, called the "Jolly Corks".[1] It was established as a private club to elude New York City laws governing the opening hours of public taverns. After the death of a member left his wife and children without income, the club took up additional service roles, rituals and a new name. Desiring to adopt "a readily identifiable creature of stature, indigenous to America," fifteen members voted 8–7 in favor of the elk above the buffalo.[6] Early members were mostly from theatrical performing troupes in New York City. It has since evolved into a major American fraternal, charitable, and service order with more than a million members, both men and women, throughout the United States and the former territories of the Philippines and the Panama Canal.[7]"
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benevolent_and_Protective_Order_of_Elks)

I don't have any doubt that the "Jolly Corks" blackened their faces with burnt cork, thus becoming a Black-face Minstrel Show. Naturally, no real Black people would have been allowed in the Elks.