Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, Inc. records

Collection

Identifier: aarl-unknown06

Scope and Contents

The Georgia Legislative Black Caucus Inc. collection documents more than 30 years of the GLBC's journey, including administrative, legislative, and community-focused aspects. The collection contains administrative 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 members of the House of Representatives in 1965. By 1972, the Georgia General Assembly had 14 African-American members.

Under the leadership of state Rep. 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.