Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, Inc. records
Scope and Contents
The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus Inc. collection documents over 30 years of the GLBC's journey, including administrative, legislative, and community-focused aspects. The collection contains administration documents, campaign material, Georgia House of Representatives proceedings, bills, correspondence, programs, newspapers, magazines, and photographs.
Dates
- 1990 - 2015
Biographical / Historical
The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus (GLBC), established in 1975, represents African-American members in the Georgia General Assembly, distinguished as the largest caucus of its kind nationwide. Historical barriers such as poll taxes and literacy tests hindered African-American political participation, yet landmark legal decisions and federal legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, expanded opportunities for representation. This progress led to the election of Senator Leroy Johnson in 1962 and eight black House members in 1965, with the General Assembly hosting fourteen African-American members by 1972.
Under the leadership of Representative Benjamin Brown, the GLBC formalized its role in advocating for civil rights and social justice, providing a vital platform for African-American legislators to address constituents' concerns. Since its inception, the GLBC has remained committed to promoting equality and empowerment within Georgia's legislative landscape, reflecting the ongoing struggle for civil rights and racial equity in the state.
Extent
2 Linear feet
Language
English
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History Repository