Charlesetta Braggs-Ford papers, 1963-1984

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Summary

Creators:
Braggs-Ford, Charlesetta.
Abstract:
In 1963 Braggs-Ford, together with Savannah A. Bello, founded the Richmond chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) to address discriminatory practices in local housing and employment.The Charlesetta Braggs-Ford Papers consists of reports, bulletins, correspondence, flyers, conference programs, papers, brochures, pamphlets, newsletters, and newspaper clippings that document the activities of the Richmond chapter of CORE. The collection also includes material related to regional CORE chapters and the national CORE organization.
Extent:
.5 linear feet (1 box)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Charlesetta Braggs-Ford papers, MS 204, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Charlesetta Braggs-Ford Papers consists of reports, bulletins, correspondence, flyers, conference programs, papers, brochures, pamphlets, newsletters, and newspaper clippings that document the activities of the Richmond chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). The collection also includes material related to regional CORE chapters and the national CORE organization. The collection documents general activities of regional CORE groups in sit-ins, picketing demonstrations and other civil rights actions around fair employment, housing and police brutality towards African Americans and other minorities. The papers are organized in three series: Richmond CORE activities, CORE general activities, and assorted print materials.

Biographical / historical:

Civil rights activist Charlesetta Braggs-Ford was born on June 22nd, 1935 in Oklahoma to Booker and Viola Braggs. After a degree in nursing she served as a supervisor at Kaiser Hospital in Oakland. In 1963 Braggs-Ford, together with Savannah A. Bello, founded the Richmond chapter of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) to address discriminatory practices in local housing and employment. The first members of Richmond CORE were Maxine Easton, Reverend Guthrie Williams, Barbara Thollaug, Samuel Burns, Frank Throtter, Ernest Fridia (first chairperson), Florence Fridia, Giddis Toland, Thelma Hill, and Stalfana Bello. Future members included Gus Wagle, Scott Cole, Stephen Vincent, James Van, Amous Blackmore, Katherine Himes, Helen Talbot, Anthony Scott, John Ogenberger, Elaine Featherson, Carolyn Himes, Randy Thollaug, Robert Chrisman, Brenda Hawkins, Saline Steward, Bob Carleton, Cynthia Hawkins, and John Greene. Richmond CORE focused on issues related to fair employment and housing, schooling, accurate newspaper coverage, and police brutality towards African Americans and other minorities. Committees of the chapter included those on Education, Storm Drainage, and Public Housing. Activities involved working on California Fair Housing initiatives and picketing and negotiation projects with the Bank of America, Safeway, and local department stores. As members began participating with Black Power movement groups in community organizing, Richmond CORE was officially disaffiliated from the national organization at a meeting of officers and delegates to CORE’s Western Regional Conference on August 30, 1968.

Acquisition information:
Donated to the African American Museum Library at Oakland by Charlesetta Braggs-Ford on September 1, 2016.
Processing information:

Processed by Sean Dickerson, February 1, 2017.

Arrangement:

Series I. Richmond CORE activities Series II. CORE general activities Series III. Assorted print materials

Physical location:
African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.) Oakland, CA 94612
Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.

Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish from the Charlesetta Braggs-Ford Papers must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.

Preferred citation:

Charlesetta Braggs-Ford papers, MS 204, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Location of this collection:
659 14th Street
Oakland, CA 94612, US
Contact:
(510) 637-0198
aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
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