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Guide to the Marcus A. Foster Collection
MS 149
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Table of contents
Title: Marcus A. Foster Collection
Dates: 1941-1975 (bulk 1968-1974)
Collection number: MS 149
Creator:
Marcus A. Foster Education Institute
Collection Size:
5.5 linear feet
(1 box + 2 oversized boxes)
Repository:
African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Oakland, CA 94612
Abstract: The Marcus A. Foster was a a progressive, innovative educator who rose to national prominence as the first African-American
superintendent of schools in Oakland, California. The collection spans the years 1941-1975, and includes administrative documents,
professional certifications, printed materials, photographs, newspaper articles and ceremonial attire, with the bulk of the
material pertaining to the years 1968-1974.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
No access restrictions to the Marcus Foster Collection. Collection is open to the public.
Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.
Permission to publish must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.
Marcus A. Foster Collection, MS149, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
Collection donated to the African American Museum & Library at Oakland by the Marcus A. Foster Educational Institute.
Processed by John Hickman, April 29th, 2014. Finding aid updated to add OM box numbers by Sean Heyliger on April 21, 2017.
Biography / Administrative History
Educator Dr. Marcus A. Foster (1923-1973) was born in Athens, Georgia in 1923, the youngest of 5 children. His family moved
to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when he was 3 years old. There he attended Philadelphia public schools, graduating from South
Philadelphia High School in 1941. He earned degrees from Cheyney State College, Lincoln University, St. Joseph's College
and the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his doctorate in 1971.
Dr. Foster began his career as principal of Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia, and later became Associate Superintendent
of Schools in Philadelphia where he was in charge of community relations. Dr. Foster moved to Oakland, California in 1970,
and became Oakland's first African-American superintendent that same year. He had a strong belief in community involvement,
and as superintendent he implemented a Master Plan Citizen’s Committee and decentralized the Oakland Public School system
by dividing the city into 3 regions. In 1973, he founded the Oakland Education Institute, whose purpose was to raise discretionary
funds to promote excellence in Oakland schools. After his death the institute was renamed the Marcus A. Foster Educational
Institute in his honor. Dr. Foster was assassinated November 6, 1973 by members of the Symbionese Liberation Army following
an evening meeting of the Oakland School Board.
Through his life Dr. Foster rose to national prominence as a progressive, innovative educator, who was known as a leader who
challenged entrenched educational principles and displayed great ability in developing effective solutions by getting people
of diverse interests to work together for the benefit of the children he served.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Marcus A. Foster collection spans the years 1941-1975, and includes administrative documents, professional certifications,
printed materials, photographs, newspaper articles and ceremonial attire, with the bulk of the material pertaining to the
years 1968-1974.
The collection is organized into four series: 1) School Administration documents including a 1974 report of the Buildings
and Grounds Committee, an earthquake safety construction program report, cost estimate for classroom construction and a 1974
status report on the quake-safe schools program. 2) A group of black and white photographs showing the site of the fatal attack
on Dr. Foster, the OPS administration building, an OPS security vehicle, an unknown apartment building and a professional
portrait of Dr. Foster. 3) Printed Materials including the soft-cover book “Dr. Marcus A. Foster, A Man For All People”, a
set of photocopied newspaper articles pertaining to Dr. Foster’s life and a set of miscellaneous publications, including two
doctoral dissertations, pertaining to Dr. Foster’s accomplishments and life. 4) Plaques and Awards presented to Dr. Foster
including an Award of Merit from Simon Gratz High School, various professional certificates, posthumous awards and resolutions
from the State of California legislature honoring his many achievements. 5) Ceremonial attire worn by Dr. Foster including
graduation gowns and cowls.
Series I. Biographic Materials
Series II. Photographs
Series III. Printed material
Series IV. Awards
Series V. Clothing
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Marcus Foster.
Marcus A. Foster Educational Institute (Oakland, Calif).
Public schools--California--Oakland.
African American educators.
Oakland (Calif.)--History.
Philadelphia (Pa.)--History--20th century.