Contributing Institution: California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections

Title: Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC) Papers

Creator: Watkins, Ted, Sr., 1922-1993

Creator: Watts Labor Community Action Committee (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Creator: Watkins, Teryl

Creator: Jones, Michelle

Creator: Schrade, Paul

Creator: Spraggins, Paul

Creator: Pearson, Edward W.

Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2018.001

Physical Description: 9 boxes 7 document storage cases and 2 clamshell boxes

Physical Description: 6.3 Linear Feet

Date (inclusive): 1947, 1964-1983, 1985-1988, 1990-1999, 2001-2003, 2005, 2007-2009, 2011, 2014-2015

Date (bulk): 1965-1999

Abstract: This collection is comprised of materials generated by Watts Labor Community Action Committee (WLCAC). The Watts Labor Community Action Committee formed in 1965 prior to the Los Angeles (Watts) Riots of 1965 in an effort spearheaded by Ted Watkins, Sr. and supported by local labor unions, most notably, the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). Their purpose was to create and provide programs and services that serve the needs of the under-served, predominantly African American residents of the Watts and Greater Watts communities. In this collection are organizational documents, minutes, correspondence, memoranda, reports, program proposals, drafts/notes, ephemera, publications, newspaper clippings and photographs. The materials gathered here chiefly represent the organization's activities from the mid- to late-1960s, early 1970s and the early- to mid-1990s.

Language of Material: The materials are in English and Spanish.

This collection is arranged into nine series, with some series further subdivided into two sub-series. The nine series are: Organizational files (I), Correspondence and memoranda (II), Program reports and proposals (III), Drafts and notes (IV), Ephemera, publicity and news clippings (V), Community planning and local history (VI), Photographs and negatives (VII) and Oversize materials (VIII). Five of the eight series are further divided into sub-series. Organizational files is further divided into General organizational files (I.A) and Minutes (I.B). Correspondence and memoranda is divided into Correspondence (II.A) and Memoranda (II.B). Program reports and proposals is divided into Reports (III.A) and Program proposals (III.B). Ephemera, publicity and news clippings are further divided into Event materials and ephemera (V.A) and Publicity and news clippings (V.B). Community planning and local history are divided into Community planning materials (VI.A) and Local history (VI.B). The series Drafts and notes (IV), Photographs and negatives (VII) Oversize materials (VIII), and Regional Grant Proposals and Applications (IX) are not divided further into sub-series. File arrangement varies depending on the series/sub-series. Some series/sub-series are in straightforward chronological order. Others are in order of relevance/importance and the rest are a hybrid of document type, then chronological order.

The Watts Labor Community Action Committee formed in 1965 prior to the Los Angeles (Watts) Riots of 1965 in an effort spearheaded by Ted Watkins, Sr. and supported by local labor unions, most notably, the United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). Their purpose was to create and provide programs and services that served the needs of the under-served, predominantly African-American residents of the Watts and Greater Watts communities. Ted Watkins was elected the Chairman of the Watts Labor Community Action Committee in 1966. Beginning in the late 1960s, the WLCAC developed programs and services aimed at bettering the community. Ted Watkins put his organizational skills as a union leader to work and was able to successfully solicit funding to help build a variety of programs to serve the Watts community. Early projects and services facilitated and provided by WLCAC included: senior citizens programs, neighborhood beautification, child care services, manpower training opportunities (Community Elite Corps, Community Conservation Corps, and Urban Residential Educational Center (Saugus)), Concentrated Employment Project and Consumer Action Project among others. In addition to these community services, WLCAC contributed to the economic development of the area through the ownership and operation of several small businesses, including: housing-related enterprises (moving, construction and property management), markets, a Mobil gas station and a restaurant. In 1969, the community-based organization found additional success through their campaigning to get a county hospital to serve the community on the ballot. Three years later, on March 27, 1972, that initial accomplishment became fully realized when the Martin Luther King Jr. General Hospital opened in Willowbrook. Aside from local achievements, WLCAC and Ted Watkins' success in community development organization was becoming nationally and internationally noticed. In 1981, the British government invited Ted Watkins to London to advise on anti-poverty programs in the aftermath of the 1981 Brixton riot and subsequently opened a WLCAC branch office in London. Watkins' and WLCAC's accomplishments were also noticed in the United States. Yale University awarded Watkins the Medal of Entrepreneurial Excellence at the 1983 Commencement. Despite these accolades, WLCAC was not immune to hard times. WLCAC properties fell victim to the destruction of property, vandalism and looting that befell South Central L.A. during the 1992 Los Angeles Riots following the Rodney King verdict. A year later, Ted Watkins passed away. In subsequent years, WLCAC continued to accomplish Ted's vision by providing services to the community as well as adding an emphasis in the arts and cultural heritage by hosting exhibitions such A Slave Ship Speaks: the Wreck of the Henrietta Marie and the installation of the of the sculpture, Mother of Humanity in Watts. Ted's legacy of leading the organization has continued with his family's active involvement. His daughter Teryl served as President of WLCAC following his passing. As of 2018, Tim Watkins is President and CEO of WLCAC.

This collection consists of materials dating from around the Watts Labor Community Action Committee's inception in the mid-1960s thru the mid-2010s. The bulk of the materials date from 1965-1970 and 1992-1997. A large amount of the materials are documents relating to WLCAC programs. Many programs were funded through either government assistance or through charitable organizations, so there are many program proposals to these funding entities as well as reports documenting the progress and outcomes of the projects (project evaluation and progress reports). There is a notable emphasis on occupational/vocational training programs, particularly, the Community Conservation Corps programming offered to the community. Additional program areas covered are programs for child care services, programs for senior citizens and programs for personal grooming. This collection also contains basic organizational documents, such as: organization charts, statement of policy, fact sheets, meeting minutes and personnel training documents. Internal memoranda primarily address events and personnel matters as well as other subjects. The correspondence included in these files are between WLCAC staffers, agencies providing financial assistance to programs, with some correspondence addressing civic and political matters. Other materials specific to WLCAC are ephemera, notices for various events, awards, newspaper clippings and photographs. It includes grant proposals and applications for programs such as the Technical Assistance Project for Minority Contractors (TAP), Community Care and Development Services projects, Head Start, Direction Sports, and other projects and programs in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.

There are no access restrctions on this collection.

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Collection processed by Sarah Richardson in May 2018.

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