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Descriptive Summary
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Repository: |
Auburn Avenue Research Library
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Creator: |
Bennette, Fred C., 1928-1994
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Title: | Fred C. Bennette, Jr. collection |
Dates: | Bulk, 1965-1980 |
Dates: | 1962-1994 1965-1980 |
Quantity: |
2.5 linear ft.
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Abstract: | The collection contains photographs, news articles, minutes, and other printed materials which documents Fred C. Bennette's involvement with the Civil Rights Movement in Atlanta. |
Identification: | aarl002-003 |
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Biographical/Historical Note
Reverend Fred C. Bennette, Jr. was born to Annie Mae (McDowell) and Columbus Bennette, Jr. on December 2, 1928 in Atlanta, Ga.
Mr. Bennette received his early childhood education in Atlanta's "Buttermilk Bottom" community where he grew up. After graduation from David T. Howard High School, Reverend Bennette joined the United States Army where he served for several years as Sergeant. After completing his military service, he returned to Atlanta where he attended Morris Brown College and the Turner Theological Seminary at Morris Brown. During this time Reverend Bennette was friends with A. D. King which led to the meeting of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1960. He was also a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. This meeting led to many major accomplishments and significant involvement in the Civil Rights Movement in Atlanta.
In 1960 Fred C. Bennette became a key organizer in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) organization. In that same year he became staff coordinator for the Sit-In campaign to desegregate Rich's Department Store. From 1961 to1964 he served as the Director of the "All Citizens Committee for Voter Registration" and as the Deputy Director of the Georgia Voters League. In 1964 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. appointed Reverend Bennette as the first Director of SCLC's Operation Bread Basket. This organization mobilized buying campaigns to pressure businesses and corporations to hire minorities. Fred Bennette served in this capacity until 1967. Reverend Bennette also served as interim Pastor (1964-1965) of the Mount Welcome Baptist Church which was then located in the Pittsburg Community of Atlanta.
After the Civil Rights Movement, Reverend Bennette continued his work as advisor on issues in the Black community to Jimmy Carter during his campaign and tenure as Governor of Georgia (1970-1976). He also served as a staff member and advisor to Congressman Andrew Young and during Young's tenure (1982-1989) as Mayor of Atlanta. Reverend Bennette was a member of the Board of Advisors for The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Non-Violent Social Change and was the King Center's Security Director. He died in 1994 after a long and successful career as a civic leader.
Scope and Content Note
The collection of Fred C. Bennette covers the years 1960 to 1985. The collection contains photographs, news articles, and minutes, and other printed materials which documents Fred C. Bennett's involvement with Civil Rights Movement in Atlanta.
Arrangement
Index Terms
Preferred Citation
Item, series, Fred C. Bennette, Jr. collection, Archives Division, Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History, Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System.
Provenance
The Reverend Fred C. Bennett Collection was purchased by the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History, Archives Division in 1996.
Processing Information
Processed by Anita Martin. Completed on
2003
Restrictions on Use
There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.
Copyright Restrictions
Prior permission from the Research Library must be obtained in writing before any portion of this collection can be published or reproduced.
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Series I: Printed materials, [1966-1994 with gaps] |
Consists of a photocopy of Fred Bennette's obituary; business cards and certificates. The collection also includes program booklets, posters and flyers from The King Center and SCLS events. The weekly Unity newsletter is also among the items in this collection. |
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1 | 1 | Fred Bennette - Obituary Materials, 1994 |
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| 2 | Fred Bennette - Certificate, 1979 |
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| 3 | Fred Bennette - Business Cards, c. 1976 |
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| 4 | Program - Mass Meeting, The Valley Christian Improvement Association, May 10, 1966 |
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Series II: Minutes, [1962-1994] |
From various Operation Bread Basket meetings from 1964 to 1966 which highlights the plans of many famed Civil Rights leaders to protest and mobilize marchers and voters during the height of the movement. |
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1 | 5 | Minutes and Correspondence - Operation Breadbasket, 1964-1967 |
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| 6 | Minutes and Correspondence - Operation Breadbasket, 1965-1966 |
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| 7 | Minutes - Operation Breadbasket, September, 1966-February, 1967 |
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| 8 | Minutes - Operation Breadbasket, April, 1967 |
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| 9 | Minutes - Minister's special called meeting Operation Breadbasket, October 13, 1967 October 17, 1967 October 19, 1967 |
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| 10 | Program Booklets - King Week, 1988 1992 1994 |
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| 11 | Miscellaneous News Clippings, 1965-1974 |
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| 12 | Ephemeral Materials, 1966-1983 |
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| 13 | Magazine Cover -
Presbyterian Survey, Special Issue:
Love Shall Overcome, June 1968 |
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| 14 | SCLC Materials - 13
th Annual Drum Major for Justice Awards Dinner, April 4, 1992 |
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| | SCLC Citizenship School Workbook, No Date |
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1 | 15 | Newsletters -
Weekly Unity, Scattered 1962-1963 |
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Series III: Photographs, [1965-1990] |
Photographs documents Fred Bennette's involvement with the Civil Right Movement and the King family. |
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2 | 1 | Photograph -McGovern, Shivers Headquarters and car with Andy Young for Congress on the side, c. 1972 |
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| 2 | Photograph - Fred Bennette; Jesse Hill, Jr.; Morris Connally and others at unidentified function., c. 1965 |
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| 3 | Photographs - Unidentified Klu Klux Klan members, c. 1970 |
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| 4 | Photograph - Fred Bennette and others at the Butler Street YMCA, c. 1965 |
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| 5 | Photograph - Fred Bennette and unidentified women in restaurant, c. 1970 |
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| 6 | Photograph - Fred Bennette and unidentified woman standing on dock of the Chesapeake Bay, No date |
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| 7 | Photograph - Fred Bennette at piano and unidentified women in restaurant, No date |
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| 8 | Photograph - Fred Bennette and unidentified man, 1972 |
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| 9 | Photograph - Fred Bennette and unidentified man, c. 1980 |
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| 10 | Photograph - Fred Bennette and unidentified man, c. 1985 |
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| 11 | Photograph - Fred Bennette and unidentified man, c. 1975 |
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| 12 | Photograph - Fred Bennette and unidentified man |
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| 13 | Martin Luther King, Sr. and Family, c. 1980 |
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| 14 | Photograph - Fred Bennette Alveda King Beal and unidentified man, c. 1980 |
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| 15 | Photograph - Fred Bennette and Alveda King Beal, c. 1978 |
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| 16 | Photograph - Fred Bennette, Marty King and unidentified man, 1983 |
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| 17 | Photograph - Marty King and various people, c. 1990 |
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| 18 | Photograph - Fred Bennette with Dexter and Marty (?) King, c. 1985 |
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| 19 | Photograph - Fred Bennette and Bernice King, c. 1980 |
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| 20 | Photograph - Ralph David Abemathy, c. 1985 |
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| 21 | Photograph - Fred Bennette and Burt Reynolds, c. 1980 |
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| 22 | Photographs - Various photos of Fred Bennette, 1965-1990 |
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| 23 | Photograph - Andrew Young and Unidentified man, c. 1990 |
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| 24 | Photographs - Andrew Young, c. 1975 |
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| 25 | Photograph - Andrew Young and family, c. 1980 |
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| 26 | Photograph - Fred Bennette, Jean Young and others, c. 1970 |
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| 27 | Photographs - Fred Bennette, Andrew Young and others, c. 1970 |
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| 28 | Photographs - Fred Bennette with protest signs, 1985 |
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| 29 | Photograph - Martin Luther King, Jr.; Rev. Walter Fauntroy, Rev. Ralph David Abernathy and Fred Bennette during rally, c. 1965 |
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| 30 | Photograph - Fred Bennette with casket possibly of Martin Luther King, Jr., c. 1968 |
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| 31 | Photograph - Martin Luther King, Jr. at pulpit. Fred Bennette in background, c. 1966 |
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| 32 | Photograph - Christine King Farris and family with Rev. Fred Bennette in Front of Ebenezer Baptist Church, c. 1965 |
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| 33 | Photographs - Rev. Fred Bennette at pulpit, c. 1960 |
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| 35 | Photograph - Rev Andrew Young and Rev. Fred Bennette, c. 1965 |
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| 36 | Photograph - Rev. Ralph David Abernathy and Fred Bennette during press conference, c. 1965 |
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| 37 | Photograph - Delores Bennette, Fred Bennette's daughter, c. 1965 |
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| 38 | Photograph - Fred Bennette and Todd Evans (?), c. 1970 |
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| 39 |
Photographs - Unidentified, Unknown |
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Series IV: New Clippings and Papers, [1966-1974 1981] |
New Clippings and Papers from various African American news organizations in Atlanta dating from 1966 to 1981 which highlight Blacks in Atlanta Politics and the Civil Rights movement. |
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Box |
3 | | Whole News Paper -
Waycross Journal - Herald, May 18, 1966 |
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| | Whole News Paper -
Waycross Journal - Herald, May 19, 1966 |
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Box |
3 | | News Article -
"Camera Catches Shooting Suspect and Victim"
The Atlanta Journal, June 7, 1966 |
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| | News Article -
In Memoriam - Prophet Among Men"
The Public Employee, April, 1968 |
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| | News Article -
"Massell's The Man"
Victory Special, October 7, 1969 |
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| | News Article -
"Prominent Persons in Atlanta's Political Arena"
The Afro-American, March 28, 1970 |
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| | News Article -
"Young's Congressional Staff "
The Atlanta Inquirer, January 19, 1973 |
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| | Whole Newspaper -
The People's Crusader, January 12, 1973 |
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| | Whole Newspaper -
The People's Crusader, January 19, 1973 |
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| | News Article -
"Congress Man Young Organizes Staff"
The Atlanta Inquirer, January 6, 1973 |
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| | News Article -
"If I Were Mayor"
The Voice, March 17, 1973 |
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| | News Article -
"Ms. King Called Mother To Some And Friend To All"
The Atlanta Daily World, July 5, 1974 |
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| | Newspaper Ad -
Women for Young
Atlanta Constitution, October 5, 1981 |
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