The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change
Walker, Wyatt Tee
b. 1929
Wyatt Tee Walker was executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) from 1960-64. A graduate of Virginia Union University School of Religion, he served as pastor of Gillfield Baptist Church in Petersburg. He received a doctorate from Rochester (New York) Theological Center. Active in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and the Virginia Council on Human Relations, he led the first Prayer Pilgrimage for Public Schools and was jailed for protesting segregation in the Petersburg Library. Walker brought strong administrative, organizational and strategy skills to the SCLC, applying them to the Birmingham Campaign and the March on Washington for Jobs and Justice. After leaving SCLC, he worked for the Negro Heritage Library. Walker was senior pastor of Canaan Baptist Church in Harlem for 37 years, rallying his parishioners for justice and equality, including divestment from apartheid South Africa.
Associated Archive Content : 125 results
A Program for the Public Meeting at Metropolitan Baptist ChurchThis program outlines a two-day Public Meeting sponsored by the SCLC at Metropolitan Baptist Church, where Dr. King was scheduled to deliver the key address. |
A Tribute to the MLKSeveral organizations in Stamford, Connecticut sponsor a tribute in honor of Dr. King. This document outlines the program participants, and lists Dr. King as providing the keynote address. |
Address by Jackie Robinson at SCLC Freedom DinnerGuest speaker Jackie Robinson discusses his personal struggles with adopting the philosophy of nonviolence, race relations and the far-reaching efforts of the SCLC. |
Affidavit of Captain G.V. EvansG.V. Evans, a captain in the Police Department of the City of Birmingham, confirms a series of sit-ins and marches that took place in Birmingham. The nonviolent actions, called Project C, was headed by Wyatt Tee Walker. Captain Evans believes that this conduct will result in serious injury to the police department and the demonstrators. |
Affidavit of Captain George WallGeorge Wall, Captain of the Police Department for the City of Birmingham, submits an affidavit. The document states that a group of thirty-two Negroes led by Charles Billups and Fred Shuttlesworth were arrested for marching without a permit. |
Affidavit of Cleopatra KennedyAfter being arrested in Birmingham for "parading without a permit" in 1963, Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights singer Cleopatra Kennedy gave this notarized affidavit describing the incident. |
Amsterdam News: The Terrible Cost of the BallotDr. King excites public confidence towards the Civil Rights Movement by describing a devastating occurrence. |
Appeal from Wyatt Tee Walker for Albany SupportFollowing the arrests of Dr. King and three others who held a prayer vigil at the Albany, Georgia City Hall, Rev. Wyatt Tee Walker issues this appeal for support from those active in the civil rights movement. He calls for telegrams to be sent to federal, state, and local officials, prayer vigils, and the wearing of black armbands. |
Back Our Brothers: First Annual Awards BanquetDr. King, Ralph Abernathy, Wyatt Walker and Fred Shuttlesworth were honored at a special banquet in New York City, following SCLC's successful 1963 Birmingham campaign. |
Bill of Complaint: City Board of Education of Birmingham, AlabamaThe City Board of Education of Birmingham, Alabama accuses several civil rights leaders and organizations of discouraging Negro students from attending public schools. |
Brief for the PetitionersThis brochure illustrates questions as well as events pertaining to petitioners during the Civil Rights Movement. Important petitioners, such as Dr. King and Ralph David Abernathy, were convicted and charged with Contempt of Court in violation of the First and Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution. |
Carlisle's Variety Shop Souvenir BookletCarlisle Variety Shop produced this souvenir booklet advertising Negro businesses but also honoring Dr. King and other SCLC officials involved in the 1963 Birmingham campaign. |
Chicago Freedom Fund FestivalThe Chicago Freedom Fund Festival, organized by Mahalia Jackson, served as a benefit for the SCLC. |
Community Service Committee Presents MLKThe Community Service Committee of Oakwood College presents Dr. King as its guest speaker in an upcoming event. |
Condolences to the Wife of Theodore TrammellDr. King and Rev. Wyatt Walker send condolences to Mrs. Theodore Trammell. They make a promise to rededicate themselves to the fight for human rights, just as her husband had done. |
Crusade For Citizenship"Crusade For Citizenship," an initiative of the SCLC, illustrates the importance of Negro voters in the South. The brochure incorporates important facts to implement emphasis on how imperative the cause is. |
Crusade For The BallotThe Southern Christian Leadership Conference issues a pamphlet addressing the need for increased registration of Negro voters in the southern states of America. |
Declaration of "Nobel Peace Prize Day" DesiredThis press release announces the Virginia State Unit of the SCLC's appeal to Governor Albertis Harrison in hopes that he will establish a "Nobel Peace Prize Day" in honor of Dr. King. The proposed day will possibly be held in conjunction with a speech Dr. King will deliver at Virginia State College and the Virginia SCLC State Convention. |
Freedom RallyThis document is the program for the Freedom Rally held at Vermont Avenue Baptist in support of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. |
Greetings Page-SCLC and ACMHRThe SCLC and the Alabama Christian Movement for Human Rights come together to host SCLC's annual convention in Birmingham, Alabama. |
House Un-American Activities CommitteeThis article summarizes the consequences that derive from the House Un-American Activities Committee labeling Civil Rights leaders as communists. |
Jackie Robinson Heads SCLC National Drive to Rebuild Burned ChurchesThis press release announces Jackie Robinson's commitment to join an SCLC national fund drive to help rebuild three churches in southwest Georgia that were completely destroyed by arsonists. Robinson visited each of the sites and pledged the first one hundred dollars to the fund. |
Letter from Adam C. Powell to Wyatt Tee WalkerReverend Adam Clayton Powell copies to MLK a letter informing Wyatt Walker that his preaching duties at Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem are being terminated because of budget constraints. |
Letter from Benjamin E. Mays to MLKBenjamin E. Mays offers celebratory wishes to Dr. King on the sixth anniversary of the Southern Christian Leadership Conferece. Mays offers words of support and encouragement for the great work Dr. King has done in the fight for equality and justice. |
Letter from Berry Gordy to Reverend Wyatt Tee WalkerMr. Gordy writes to Mr. Walker to negotiate album production and royalty rates for Dr. King's speeches. |
Letter from C. Sumner Stone Jr. to Wyatt Tee Walker"Washington Afro-American" Editor Chuck Stone forwards Rev. Wyatt Walker the resumes of individuals that might be suitable to work as a public relations specialist for the SCLC. He urges that Walker and Dr. King carefully examine the resumes and respond to "the more outstanding candidates." |
Letter from Curtis Harris to Affiliates of West Virginia SCLCCurtis Harris discloses information regarding Petersburg Improvement Association's sixth anniversary celebration. |
Letter from Douglas Mosley and Dwight Campbell to MLKThe Philadelphia District of The Methodist Youth Fellowship asks Dr. King to be the keynote speaker at an upcoming freedom rally. |
Letter from Douglas Mosley and Dwight Eisenhower Campbell to MLKThe Methodist Youth Fellowship of Philadelphia extends an invitation for Dr. King to speak at their Freedom Rally in early 1965. The officers of the fellowship also request the address of Reverends Walter Fauntroy and Wyatt Walker of SCLC. |
Letter from Erma Jewel Hughes to Wyatt Tee WalkerErma Jewel Hughes requests Reverend Wyatt Walker to send two thousand copies of the "SCLC Story" to be sold by Erma Hughes Business College. Erma Hughes ensures a protection detail will be assigned to Dr. King during the entire time he is in Texas for the commencement speech given at the college. |