The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change
Southern Christian Leadership Conference
After the success of the Montgomery, Alabama and Tallahassee, Florida bus boycotts, 60 leaders from ten states gathered in Atlanta in January 1957 to form the Southern Negro Leaders Conference on Transportation and Nonviolent Integration to coordinate challenges to segregation throughout the South. The name later changed to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Dr. King was selected to lead the new coalition. The SCLC, an association of chapters and local affiliates that adopted nonviolent action as the cornerstone of its strategy, became one of the most influential organizations of the Civil Rights Movement. King led the SCLC from Albany, through Birmingham, to the March on Washington and eventually to the Poor People’s Campaign carried out after his assassination in 1968.
Associated Archive Content : 2757 results
Chicago Defender: My DreamDr. King writes this article for the Chicago Defender describing the social and economic climate of Chicago's ghettos. He explains that Ghettos are the site of economic exploitation and where no exchange of culture and resources are allowed to exist. SCLC staff and Reverend James Bevel "have come to see this as a system of internal colonialism." It is understood that slum culture is designed to perpetuate the inferior educational, health, housing, and employment states of the Negro. |
Chicago Freedom Fund FestivalThe Chicago Freedom Fund Festival, organized by Mahalia Jackson, served as a benefit for the SCLC. |
Chicago Freedom Movement Tent-InThis flyer outlines the platform for the Chicago Freedom Movement's Tent-In. This organization, based out of Warrenville, Illinois, sought for equality in housing and was an initiative of the SCLC and Al Raby's Council of Federated Organizations. |
Chicago Nonviolent Action ProposalSCLC's proposal for a nonviolent action campaign in Chicago identifies the city as the prototype for the northern urban race problem. The proposal includes a snapshot of the situation in Chicago, past approaches, SCLC?s philosophy of social change, a description of twelve different aspects of the problem of economic exploitation, and a plan and timetable for mobilizing forces. Objectives are stated for the federal, state, and local levels. SCLC proposes to work in collaboration with the Coordinating Council of Community Organizations. |
Chicago Project - From the Study of MLKDr. King reviews the historical accomplishments of the SCLC, its future goals and visions, and provides an overview of the "Chicago Project." |
Citizens Action for Racial Brotherhood, Inc. ProgramThe Citizens Action for Racial Brotherhood organized this program where Dr. King makes a special address. |
Citizens' Crusade Against PovertyThe following document lists the members of the Citizens' Crusade Against Poverty. |
Citizens' Crusade Against PovertyThe Citizens' Crusade Against Poverty Commission on Community Activity and Organization lists various members from different organizations. |
Citizens' Crusade Against Poverty Southern Rural Action Project Progress ReportThis document contains the Citizens' Crusade Against Poverty Southern Rural Action Project Progress Report. Randolph T. Blackwell, former program director of the SCLC is now director of the Southern Rural Action Project. |
Citizenship Education ProposalSCLC's Citizenship Education Program issues a five year proposal for the period between 1965 and 1970. The proposal outlines previous successful activities since the inception of the program. |
City Wide Freedom Rally Featuring MLKThis 1964 program from a rally in Canton, Ohio, features Dr. King as speaker. |
Civil Rights Drive by SCLC and Other Groups Wins Open Housing Victory in LouisvilleThis 1967 SCLC news release details the passage of a law forbidding racial discrimination in housing in Louisville, Kentucky. It also details the role that SCLC and its sister organizations had in bring about this legislation. |
Co-Op Movements for Black Economic DevelopmentThis memorandum sent to Dr. King by Professor St. Clair Drake, is a full proposal for the development/revival of the co-operative movements among negroes in large urban centers. |
Committee to Defend Martin Luther King, Jr. Press ReleaseBayard Rustin announces the formation of the Committee to Defend Martin Luther King, Jr. The Committee was formed in response to charges against Dr. King being filed by Alabama. The Committee intends to raise $200,000 in support of Dr. King and the SCLC. |
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. |
Confidential MemorandumThis handwritten document outlines plans for the SCLC's Direct Action program. The program will target Birmingham, Alabama, Montgomery, Alabama and Danville, Virginia. |
Congratulations from Darien Public Schools Superintendent to MLKMr. Coffin congratulates Dr. King on his receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize. Mr. Coffin also provides Dr. King with information on the initiatives of the Darien Public Schools to further progress the civil rights movement. |
Congratulatory Letter from L.K. Jackson to MLKIn this letter, Dr. Johnson writes to Dr. King congratulating him on his tenth anniversary. Jackson states, "...you are the man of the Twentieth Century." |
Congratulatory Letter from MLK to Edward T. GrahamIn this letter, Dr. King praises the Miami figure's leadership and impact on the local community, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, and the state of Florida. |
Congratulatory Telegram to Thurgood Marshall from MLKDr. King congratulates Thurgood Marshall on being appointed to the US Supreme Court. Dr. King also emphasizes that Marshall's position is a major advancement towards a color-blind society. |
Constitution and By-Laws of the SCLC, Inc.The SCLC exhibits its rules and regulations for the stability of the organization in this Constitution and by-laws. SCLC's constitution addresses several organizational related factors including board responsibilities, meetings, membership and chapter development. |
Constitution and Bylaws of the SCLCThis booklet contains the constitution and bylaws of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. |
Contribution Letter from Motown RecordsAs indicated in a recording agreement with Dr. King, Esther Edwards, Vice President of Motown Records, sends $200.00 to the SCLC. |
Contribution Letter to MLKA Department of State Agency for International Development summer intern expresses his support for SCLC. He offers a small contribution to the Atlanta-based foundation. |
Convocation on Equal Justice Under the LawThis is a transcript of remarks made by Dr. King at the Convocation on Equal Justice Under Law, sponsored by the NAACP Legal Defense Fund on May 28, 1964. |
CORE Treasure's Report for 1961 Fiscal YearThe Treasurer's Report from CORE includes the balance sheet for the fiscal year of 1961. The financial report covers an array of assets, liabilities, contributions, expenditures, and more. |
Coretta Scott King's SCLC Contributors CardThis card reminds Mrs. King of her previous year's contribution and solicits her support for another year. |
Correspondence from SCLC to Episcopal House of Prayer ChurchThis is a letter of appreciation for contributions to the SCLC. |
Correspondence to MLK from D. Leon Everett IID. Leon Everett is notifying Dr. King that he will be sending two checks from his church for the SCLC and SNCC. He offers his continuous support for the movement. He makes mention of information in regards to holding a recital for Mrs. King and a souvenir book |
Court Summons for MLKThe Circuit Court of Dallas County issues Dr. King a summons to appear before the Grand Jury. |