The Northeasterners was founded in 1930 by Agatha Scott Davis, wife of Brigadier General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Inspired by the African American debutantes Agatha Davis visited in various northeastern cities, Davis formed the Northeasterners as a social club for African American women.

Membership into the Northeasterns was by invitation only. Entrees provide a resume for consideration including education, careers of themselves and/or spouses, and membership in other African American organizations.

The organization was originally known as the “Gay Northeasterners” to reflect the demeanor of the group as bright and happy. The word “gay” was dropped in 1979. The focus of the Northeasterners is philanthropic as well as social. Members meet at an annual conference held in different cities throughout the Northeast.

The headquarters of the organization is New York City, New York. Washington, D.C. was one of the first chapters along with Philadelhpia, Pennsylvania. Chapters were also added in Baltimore, Maryland; Boston, Massachusetts; Chicago, Illinois; Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the state of New Jersey.