Abstract Organizations in this collection include New Detroit, Inc., National Council of La Raza, Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Additionally, this collection encompasses the work of many organizations involved in the Consortium of Hispanic Agencies, such as the Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development (La Sed), Community Health and Social Services Center (CHASS), Latino Family Services, and SER, Jobs for Progress, Inc....

Abstract On August 1, 1967, immediately following the Detroit riot, Michigan Governor George Romney, Detroit Mayor Jerome Cavanagh and J. L. Hudson department store chain president Joseph L. Hudson, Jr. announced the formation of the New Detroit Committee (as it was originally called), a citizens' coalition comprised of a cross-section of community leaders committed to finding solutions to the problems that had spawned that summer's violence and destruction. New Detroit not only serves as a forum for...

Abstract Robert Millender (1916-1978) was an influential attorney, political strategist, and campaign manager in Detroit, most notable for his efforts to establish political power for African Americans in the city throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He began his legal and political career in the mid-1950s as a labor attorney, including appointments to the Workers Compensation Board and the Trade Unions Leadership Council. In the early 1960s, Millender and George Crockett, Jr. began working toward the goal...

Abstract This collection consists of 16 oral history interviews. These can be broken into four categories: Southwest Detroit, Michigan Environmental Justice, Economic Development in Detroit, and Policing Detroit. There are transcripts and audio recordings for all 16 interviews.

Overview William J. Beckham (1940-2000) was originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. He was educated at the Detroit Institute of Technology (1959-1960), Wayne State University (1960-1962), American University (1962-1964), and the University of Maryland (1965-1966). During these years he took courses in political science. Beckham went on to pursue a career in politics at both the local and national level. In 1964, Beckham worked on Senator Phillip Hart’s campaign and then joined his staff from 1965-1973. Later...