Sacramento Area Black Caucus records, 1972-2023

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Summary

Title:
Sacramento Area Black Caucus records
Dates:
1972-2023
Abstract:
The records consist of meeting minutes, agendas, correspondence, programs, press releases, publications, newspaper articles and clippings, and administrative files related to the history and operations of the Sacramento Area Black Caucus from around the time of its founding in 1972 to 2023. Materials are in English.
Extent:
1.25 Linear Feet 1 Record Carton
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item including date], [Folder Title], MSS 2024/23, Sacramento Area Black Caucus records, Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections & University Archives, California State University, Sacramento.

Background

Scope and content:

The materials in these records document the operations and activities of the Sacramento Area Black Caucus and its efforts to support and provide a voice for the Black community of Sacramento through grassroots activism, political advocacy, and programming. Materials date from the creation of the Caucus in the early 1970s up until 2023.

Materials in these records include meeting minutes and agendas, Committee and Project Files, Newsletters and Publications, Correspondence, Conferences and Retreats files, Events and Programming files, Press Releases and Announcements, Newspapers and Clippings, and General Administrative Files. The language of the materials included in these records are in English. The records consist of 1 record carton (1.25 l.f.). 1972-2023

These records are organized into 4 series: Series 1. 1970s; Series 2. 1980s; Series 3. 1990s; and Series 4. 2000s. Materials were removed from the original binder sleeves and organized by material types into folders which were then arranged alphabetically within the corresponding series.

For the material types found in the records:

- Committee and Project Files include documents related to the activities of committees within the caucus or specific projects performed by the caucus.

- Conferences and Retreats include any materials related to conferences attended or coordinated by the caucus and the annual retreats organized by the caucus.

- Correspondence includes letters, cards, and faxes to and from the caucus.

- Events and Programming include any materials related to events and programming either coordinated by or organized in collaboration with the caucus, including the Dr. Martin Luther King birthday celebration, Black History Month, and the Unity Festival.

- General Administrative Files consist of all other materials related to the operations and activities of the caucus, including but not limited to membership lists, organizational bylaws, financial reports, government documents, historical information, and scholarship documents.

- Meeting Minutes and Agendas include all meeting minutes and agendas produced by the caucus.

- Newsletters and Publications include all newsletters, articles, and publications produced eitherby the caucus, its members, or any outside organizations connected to the caucus.

- Newspapers and Clippings include whole issues, clippings, and pages of newspapers collected by the caucus, including the Sacramento Observer and the Sacramento Bee.

- Press Releases and Announcements include press releases, statements, reports, and announcements issued publicly and to caucus members.

Biographical / historical:

In 1967, the attorney Milton McGhee became the first African American person elected to the Sacramento City Council. Several conflicts in Oak Park between 1969 to 1971 increased awareness of the lack of representation for local Black residents on the city council and in other elected positions. In 1971, the city charter for Sacramento was amended to shift its election system from at-large elections to district elections, which allowed for Sacramento residents to directly elect their council members and mayor with the purpose of increasing representation from predominately ethnic minority neighborhoods. That same year, Councilman McGhee ran for mayor of the city but fell short by only 800 votes, later serving as vice-mayor under Mayor Richard H. Marriott. Amid all of these changes, the founder of the Sacramento Observer newspaper William Lee organized a meeting of Black community leaders in 1972 to establish a council that could speak with a united voice for all of the Black residents of Sacramento. This council became the Sacramento Area Black Caucus, which became a powerful force in Sacramento politics through the participation of Black leaders and organizations from across the city. Early accomplishments of the caucus included protests against the lack of Black appointees on city boards and committees, pushing Sacramento County to establish an office of affirmative action, and appointing one of the members of the caucus to the commission investigating the murder of Raymond Brewer by police.

Acquisition information:
The collection was donated by Faye Wilson Kennedy and Carl Pinkston on behalf of the Sacramento Area Black Caucus on August 7, 2024.
Processing information:

The collection was processed in October 2024 by Cory Davis. The finding aid was written by Cory Davis on November 8, 2024. Edits provided by Lynn Sanborn and Sarah Allison in November 2024.

Physical description:
Good to excellent.

About this collection guide

Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-04-22 08:21:49 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Some restrictions may apply.

Terms of access:

Copyright is protected by the copyright law, Chapter 17 of the U.S. Code. Requests for permission to publish, quote, or reproduce from collections must be submitted in writing to the Head of Department of the Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections & University Archives. Permission for publication is given on the behalf of the Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections & University Archives, California State University, Sacramento as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item including date], [Folder Title], MSS 2024/23, Sacramento Area Black Caucus records, Donald & Beverly Gerth Special Collections & University Archives, California State University, Sacramento.

Location of this collection:
University Library, MS 6039
6000 J Street
Sacramento, CA 95819, US
Contact:
916-278-6144
lib-scua@csus.edu
Website