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The original documents are located in Box 9, folder "Blacks" of the Robert T. Hartmann
Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 9 of the Robert T. Hartmann Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TO:
ROBERT HARTMANN
FROM:
JOHN CALHOUN
For Your Information.
1976
****** Bicentennial Edition ******
Facts
About
Blacks
lj
Jeffries and Associates, Inc.
3540 Wilshire Bouvelard
Los Angeles, California 90010
Phone (213) 388-9638
BASIC STATEMENT
In 1975, a year which saw America in the throes of
its worst recession since the 1930s, the size of the
Black middle-class population continued its
meteoric growth. More Blacks bought homes than
ever before; Black youths were attending and
being graduated from college in unprecedented
numbers. It was a year in which the national Black
CONTENTS
income reached $63 billion, and the Black con-
sumer market proved a lucrative resource for
Basic Statement
3
those corporations capable of analyzing and ser-
vicing this ever-growing market.
Population
4
Demographically, $63 billion spread among 24
million Americans may not seem an impressive
figure. It is only seven percent of the total national
Education
4
income. Psychographically, however, when the
life styles of Blacks are taken into account, their
motivations and buying habits, the growth of the
School Enrollment Chart
5
Black consumer market takes on real meaning to
knowledgeable entrepreneurs. The fact that more
Employment
6
and more corporations are developing programs
designed to attract this expanding market is tes-
timony to its importance.
Occupation Chart
7
INTO THE MAINSTREAM
Income
8
As the third in the biennial series of FACTS ABOUT
BLACKS brochures, this Bicentennial issue con-
tains valuable information for corporations which
Consumerism
8
are aware of the economic importance of Blacks
and have tailored their sales programs according-
ly. For corporations which have yet to develop
Income Chart
9
programs to attract this vast market, the facts con-
tained in this publication and the services offered
Politics
11
by its authors can be indispensible.
America's Black citizens have long and adamantly
Business
12
refused to accept second-class citizenship status.
They have made major gains in every area of life,
and finally are entering the mainstream of the
Why Jeffries and Associates
13
nation's economy.
Population Chart
14
As America begins the observance of its 200th
year of independence, its largest minority group
represents a new and vibrant consumer market,
one with needs, desires and demands, and one
which no corporation can afford to ignore.
3
POPULATION
Since the 1970 Census the Black population of the
United States has increased by some 1.5 million
persons, bringing the official estimate to more
Percent change,
1970 to 1974
12.4
27.5
8.7
-5.8
15.9
55.9
13.4
50.1
1.4
-9.0
2.8
15.1
than 24 million, or 11.3 per cent of the total popula-
tion. This estimate has been challenged by some
demographers, who claim that additional millions
of Blacks have been "lost" due to the failure of
census takers to record them accurately. Some
estimates of the Black population in America
range as high as 30 million, or one of every seven
of the nation's citizens.
1974
8,215
227
463
4,585
2,125
814
50,992
1,340
2,745
26,051
13,073
7,781
According to the U.S. Bureau of Census, 28 per
cent of the population of the cities and five per cent
of that of the suburbs is Black. As one of every
three persons residing in metropolitan areas, the
Black consumer is an easily reachable target.
Moreover, in the 48 cities where sales exceeded
50 per cent of total sales in America, the size of the
Black population ranged from 50,000 up to 1.6
School Enrollment of Persons 3 to 34 Years Old, by Level: 1970 and 1974
(Numbers in thousands. Minus sign (-) denotes decrease)
1970
7,307
178
426
4,868
1,834
522
44,960
893
million (see table page 14).
2,706
28,638
12,723
6,759
EDUCATION
Between 1970 and 1974 college enrollment of
Blacks increased by 56 per cent, while the number
of whites attending college rose by only 15 per
cent. During this period Black and white college
graduates increased at about the same rate, ap-
proximately 25 per cent.
Today nearly one of every five Black youths be-
tween the ages of 18 and 24 is enrolled in college.
In addition, 8.1 per cent of the nation's Black popu-
lation, some two million, has completed four or
more years of college.
Level of school and race
BLACK
WHITE
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Social and Economic Statistics Administration, Bureau of the Census.
This new emphasis on post-secondary school
education by Blacks and the new employment
opportunities available to them, particularly at the
professional and technical levels, seem to assure
Total enrolled
a continuation of the expansion of the Black mid-
die class. In fact, there are indications that the
Nursery school
Kindergarten
Elementary school
Total enrolled
High school
College
Nursery school
Kindergarten
Elementary school
rapid growth rate of this class in recent years will
High school
College
accelerate even more in the years ahead.
4
5
EMPLOYMENT
That Blacks have been hardest hit by the
Percent Black
of total
9
6
6
3
3
8
12
7
13
14
17
19
37
17
7
downturn in the economy is an indisputable fact.
Among adults, the unemployment rate is 14.3 per
cent, nearly twice the rate for whites. Among
employable youths, an alarming 39.8 per cent
were out of work in 1974. By contrast, those
Blacks who are employed have improved their
work situations, and their incomes, appreciably.
White
76,620
38,761
11,368
8,562
5,203
13,629
26,029
10,603
9,075
2,805
3,547
9,037
755
8,282
2,793
In 1964, for example, 16 per cent of the Black labor
force was employed in white-collar jobs- profes-
sional and technical, managerial, sales and cleri-
cal. By 1974 the percentage had risen to 24. In
blue-collar jobs - crafts, operative, transport and
non-farm laborers - the percentages held fairly
Occupation of the Employed Population, Excluding Federal Employment: 1974
Black
8,112
2,302
710
277
158
1,202
3,411
769
1,421
459
763
2,130
458
1,672
225
steady, 58 per cent in 1964, 57 per cent in 1974.
UPWARD MOBILITY
Not shown in these statistics is the upward mobil-
ity of the Black worker. Blacks today hold positions
(Numbers in thousands. Annual averages)
Total
85,936
41,738
12,338
8,941
5,417
15,043
29,776
11,477
10,627
3,292
4,380
11,373
1,228
10,145
3,048
that seemed unattainable 10 years ago. Nowhere
is this more evident than in the Federal govern-
ment, which employs 390,000 Blacks in full-time
positions. In grades GS 9 ($13,483) and higher,
Blacks held 9.5 per cent of the positions in 1970.
By 1974 the percentage had increased to 13.6.
Although no accurate statistics are available on
the upward mobility of Blacks other than those
employed by the Federal government, there is
little doubt that unprecedented numbers in busi-
ness and industry have risen to managerial and
supervisory positions in recent years.
POLICY MAKERS
Even more important has been the rise of Blacks
OCCUPATION
to policy-making positions. Today some 110 major
corporations have Blacks on their boards of direc-
tors. A cross section of such firms follows: Gen-
eral Motors, Ford and Chrysler, AT&T, IBM, RCA,
Zenith Radio, Metropolitan Life Insurance, Stan-
dard Oil of Ohio, 20th Century Fox, Delta Airlines,
General Foods, Philip Morris, Ligget and Myers,
Total employed
Miller Brewing Co., Levi Strauss, Amalgamated
White-collar workers
Professional and technical
Managers and administrators, except farm
Sales workers
Clerical workers
Blue-collar workers
Craft and Kindred workers
Operatives, except transport
Transport equipment operatives
Nonfarm laborers
Service workers
Private household
Service workers, except private household
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Trust & Savings, Midwest Savings and Loan,
Farm workers
General Electric, New York Stock Exchange,
Kraftco Corp., Greyhound Corp., and the Atlantic
and Pacific Tea Co.
6
7
INCOME
100
4
3
4
8
In 1974 the Black wage earner's position on the
1974
49,451
14
11
15
42
economic ladder was virtually the same as it had
$13,356
been four years earlier. The median family income
was $7,800, or 60 per cent of the $13,400 earned
by white families. Nationally, 38 per cent of all
5
3
4
Black families had incomes in excess of $10,000,
8
White
46,533
100
14
11
16
39
while 19 per cent exceeded $15,000. Poverty,
1970
$13,000
however, remained a crippling factor for many
Blacks, since nearly one out of every four was
below the low-income level.
7
4
9
43,500
100
4
17
13
16
30
Of the three out of four Blacks above the poverty
1965
$11,333
level, most reside in the North and West. In these
regions 47 per cent of the Black families earned
$10,000 or more in 1974, with 26 per cent topping
the $15,000 mark. Among young (under 35 years)
Black families in the North and West, when both
Distribution of Families, by Income in 1965, 1970, and 1974
5,498
100
14
6
8
1974
14
17
8
11
19
$7,808
husband and wife are wage earners, income par-
ity with white families has been achieved. In the
South young Black families have yet to earn as
much as their white counterparts, but the income
(Adjusted for price changes in 1974 dollars. Families as of the following year.)
8
gap has narrowed to the point where Blacks now
1970
13
18
9
4,928
100
15
7
earn 87 per cent of the young white family income.
Black
11
18
$7,978
CONSUMERISM
8
4,424
100
20
10
10
17
18
8
6
In planning sales campaigns, American business
1965
firms traditionally have relied heavily on demo-
$6,072
graphics, the statistical study of populations. In
recent years, however, increasing emphasis has
been placed on psychographics, or why people
behave as they do. This latter approach is essen-
tial to any seller who would successfully explore
the Black consumer market.
In demographic terms alone, the buying potential
of the Black wage earner is only 60 per cent of that
1
of his white counterpart. Psychographically, it is
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Social and Economic Statistics Administration, Bureau of the Census.
far greater. Black and white spending habits vary
Income
1
widely. In 1975, for example, it is estimated that
approximately $1 billion was spent by delegates
and participants at some 400 major Black conven-
Number of families thousands
tions. Blacks also spent about $300 million on air
Percent
travel during the year.
Under $3,000
$3,000 to $3,999
$4,000 to $4,999
$5,000 to $6,999
$7,000 to $9,999
$10,000 to $11,999
$12,000 to $14,999
$15,000 and over
Median income
Blacks also spend a larger percentage of their
income on consumer products than do whites, and
buy many items in proportionately greater volume
than whites.
continued
8
9
CONSUMERISM (continued)
POLITICS
Food is one example. Proportionately, Blacks buy
In the 10 years since the Voting Rights Act of 1965
more poultry, fish and seafood, processed foods,
the number of Black elected officials in the United
pork and other meats, excluding beef. Blacks also
States has increased from slightly more than 100
buy more alcoholic beverages and soft drinks.
to in excess of 3,500. Several factors have ac-
This is true too of some wearing apparel - over-
counted for this phenomenal rise. The legislative
coats, sweaters, suits, sport coats, pants, shoes
act itself enfranchised millions of Southern Blacks
and jewelry.
who had been denied the right to vote. The civil
rights movement of the early and mid-Sixties and
There are more mouths to feed in the Black home
the activist protests which followed, the concepts
and more bodies to clothe. Females are the heads
of Black Power and Black Awareness, and the
of household in 34 per cent of Black homes, in
continuing flight of whites to the suburbs all
contrast to 10 per cent of white homes. Blacks
contributed to the solidification of the Black vote.
travel greater distances to make their purchases
and shop less frequently than whites.
Nowhere is this new Black voter solidarity more
evident than in the South, where since 1971 the
Increasingly, Blacks are becoming more brand
number of Black U.S. Representatives has in-
conscious, relying on the reputation of products to
creased from two to five, state legislators and
protect them from inferior quality. They are unwill-
executives from 70 to 124, mayors from 47 to 82,
ing to risk their dollars on lesser known items, and
and other elected officials from 763 to 1,702.
they are no longer willing to shop in inferior sur-
roundings. As inner cities deteriorate and the qual-
The Congressional Black Caucus, made up of the
ity of products and services declines, Blacks are
17 Black U.S. Representatives, has been a leader
finding their way to the city periphery and the
in stimulating the Black voter. Since 1971 the
suburbs, where they can get non-risk products in a
Caucus has worked diligently to make Blacks
pleasant environment. Blacks also tend to buy
aware of the problems affecting them, the poor of
products which use Black models in their advertis-
all races and Third World countries. The goal of
ing and shop at stores which employ sales per-
the Caucus is to use the political leverage of
sonnel of their race. This pattern persists, how-
Blacks in the legislative structures to help solve
ever, only as long as the products prove to be of
many of these problems.
high quality and the service is good.
Among the 3,503 Black elected officials listed by
DEVELOPING TRENDS
the Joint Center for Political Studies in 1975 were
Yet there is no stereotype Black consumer. Like
the following:
white shoppers, Blacks are a diverse lot. Age,
1 U.S. Senator (Massachusetts)
education, income and place of residence all are
17 U.S. Representatives, including 4 women
factors which influence their behavior. Neverthe-
(California, Illinois, New York and Texas)
less, several trends seem to be developing as a
13 statewide-elected officials, including 2
result of the group's economic emergence and its
Lieutenant Governors (California and Col-
new racial awareness.
orado)
53 State Senators
Blacks today are putting more and more of their
223 State Representatives
dollars into markets with great growth potential -
140 Mayors, including six in major cities (Los
housing, home furnishings, education, clothing,
Angeles, Detroit, Washington, D.C., Atlanta,
accessories, medical and personal care, travel,
Newark and Gary, Ind.)
recreation, automobiles and entertainment. Set-
1,237 City Councilmen, Aldermen and
ting the trend are the young, better-educated,
Commissioners
more affluent families. It is their buying habits that
will present a real challenge to the marketing
strategy of industry in the years ahead.
10
11
BUSINESS
WHY JEFFRIES AND ASSOCIATES
Nineteen Hundred and Seventy-Four was any-
By virtue of its long years of experience with the
thing but a good year for business, Black-owned
Black consumer market, Jeffries and Associates
enterprises in particular. The nearly 200,000
is uniquely qualified to offer advice and counsel to
Black businesses had an estimated $7.3 billion in
corporate and privately-owned firms interested in
sales, their highest volume ever. But with inflation,
exploring this $63 billion market. Among the ac-
1974 also saw a shrinkage in profits and an alarm-
counts currently serviced by J & A are the Coca
ingly high rate of bankruptcies and other failures.
Cola Bottling Co. of Los Angeles, Exxon, Hiram
Walker, Safeway Stores, United Airlines, Miller
The failures notwithstanding, Blacks refused to be
Brewing Co., Chrysler Corp. and Alpha Kappa
deterred in their attempt to enter the business
Alpha sorority.
mainstream. The well-established Black busi-
nesses continued their steady upward climb.
J & A has a staff of specialists with many years
experience in the fields of business, industrial,
The 100 largest firms, as compiled by Black En-
educational and governmental relations. The firm
terprise magazine, had total sales of $675.24 mil-
is headed by LeRoy Jeffries, a veteran of nearly 30
lion, up $7 million from the previous year. Exclud-
years in advertising, marketing, personnel man-
ing financial institutions, Motown Industries, the
agement and public relations. Jeffries holds the
Los Angeles-based entertainment corporation,
Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and
led the nation with sales of $45 million. Rounding
psychology from Wilberforce University in Ohio
out the first five were Johnson Publishing Co.
and the Master of Arts degree in vocational guid-
(Ebony, Jet, etc.) of Chicago, $34 million; Johnson
ance and personnel administration from Columbia
Products (cosmetics) of Chicago, $33.2 million;
University. He also has been awarded the honor-
Fedco Foods of New York City, $30 million; and
ary degree of Doctor of Humanities by Wiberforce,
Garland Foods of Dallas, $17.2 million.
and is a guest lecturer in public relations at the
University of Southern California and the Univer-
In terms of dollar volume, automotive dealers, in-
sity of California at Los Angeles.
cluding service stations, ranked first in sales
among Black business firms, well ahead of food
CORPORATIONS COUNSELED
stores, the second-ranked category of enter-
prises.
Prior to establishing J & A, Jeffries held positions
with the Urban League of Greater New York, Na-
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
tional Urban League and the Johnson Publishing
Among financial institutions, Independence Bank
Co., where he was senior vice president for adver-
of Chicago led commercial banks with $50.7 mil-
tising. In addition to his present accounts, he has
lion on deposit. Carver Federal of New York City,
counseled Anheuser Busch, Arma Corp., Du-
with deposits of $52.9 million, topped savings and
Pont, Ford Motors, Frigidaire, General Motors,
loan associations, while North Carolina Mutual of
Hallmark Cards, Hunt-Wesson, Mattel, Proctor
Durham was first among life insurance companies
and Gamble, Saks Fifth Avenue, Swift & Co.,
with $2 billion insurance in force.
Admiral Corp. and others.
Jeffries has traveled worldwide, observing first-
Blacks have barely scratched the surface of the
hand sociological and economic factors influenc-
business world, however, a fact that has not gone
ing human relations. His wide travels throughout
unnoticed in the Black community. Today many
Africa, in particular, have provided him with an
Black institutions, the colleges in particular, are
expertise of that continent shared by few in his
beginning a concerted effort to guide more stu-
field. Until mid-1975 Jeffries served as Consul in
dents into business careers and more salaried
Los Angeles for the Republic of Liberia.
employees into businesses of their own. The suc-
cess of these efforts could determine if the Black
Jeffries and Associates' wealth of knowledge and
entrepreneur will get a larger share of the nation's
experience can prove extremely profitable to
business in future years.
companies interested in helping meet the needs of
the Black consumer.
12
13
BLACK AND WHITE POPULATION
OF SELECTED CITIES
1970
Black
Total
Black
Percent
Cities
Population
Population
of Total
NEW YORK CITY
7,867,760
1,666,636
21.2
CHICAGO
3,366,957
1,102,620
32.7
DETROIT
1,511,482
660,428
43.7
PHILADELPHIA
1,948,609
653,791
33.6
WASHINGTON
756,510
537,712
71.1
LOS ANGELES
2,816,061
503,606
17.9
BALTIMORE
905,759
420,210
46.4
HOUSTON
1,232,802
316,551
25.7
CLEVELAND
750,903
287,841
38.3
NEW ORLEANS
593,471
267,308
45.0
ATLANTA
496,973
255,051
51.3
ST. LOUIS
622,236
254,191
40.9
MEMPHIS
623,530
242,513
38.9
DALLAS
844,401
210,238
24.9
NEWARK
382,417
207,458
54.2
INDIANAPOLIS
744,624
134,320
18.0
BIRMINGHAM
300,910
126,388
42.0
CINCINNATI
452,524
125,070
27.6
OAKLAND
361,561
124,710
34.5
JACKSONVILLE
528,865
118,158
22.3
KANSAS CITY, MO.
507,087
112,005
22.1
MILWAUKEE
717,099
105,088
14.7
PITTSBURGH
520,117
104,904
20.2
RICHMOND
249,621
104,766
42.0
BOSTON
641,071
104,707
16.3
COLUMBUS
539,677
99,627
18.5
SAN FRANCISCO
715,674
96,078
13.4
BUFFALO
462,768
94,329
20.4
GARY
175,415
92,695
52.8
NASHVILLE -
DAVIDSON
448,003
87,851
19.6
NORFOLK
307,951
87,261
28.3
LOUISVILLE
361,472
86,040
23.8
FORT WORTH
393,476
78,324
19.9
MIAMI
334,859
76,156
22.7
DAYTON
243,601
74,284
30.5
CHARLOTTE
241,178
72,972
30.3
MOBILE
190,026
67,356
35.4
SHREVEPORT
182,064
62,152
34.1
JACKSON
153,968
61,063
39.7
COMPTON
78,611
55,781
71.0
TAMPA
277,767
54,720
19,7
JERSEY CITY
260,545
54,595
21.0
FLINT
193,317
54,237
28.1
SAVANNAH
118,349
53,111
44.9
FACTS ABOUT BLACKS Information Sources
SAN DIEGO
696,769
52,961
7.6
TOLEDO
383,818
52,915
13.8
OKLAHOMA CITY
366,481
50,103
13.7
Advertising Age
SAN ANTONIO
654,153
50,041
7.6
Black Enterprise
Clothes
TOTALS
37,523,292
10,360,922
27.6
Progressive Grocer
Source: 1970 Census - U.S. Department of
Johnson Publishing Co.
Commerce, Bureau of the Census.
Joint Center for Political Studies
NOTE: Since 1970 an estimated 1,000,000 Blacks have
U.S. Department of Commerce
been added to the population of the cities.
U.S. Department of Labor
14
Marketing Consultants
Corporate and Management Counseling
Public Relations
Product and Market Development
Minority Advertising Consultation
Market Research
Executive Recruitment
Affirmative Action Programs
For additional information write:
LeRoy W. Jeffries
Jeffries & Associates
3540 Wilshire Blvd.,
Suite 507
Los Angeles,
California
90010
Brochure No. 1-1-76
Single copy, $1.00 - Phone or write for bulk rates.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 12, 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR: COUNSELLOR ROBERT HARTMANN
FROM:
STANLEY SCOTT
of
SUBJECT:
Meeting With Key Black Republicans
Cabinet Room, 9:30 m., Sept. 13, 1974
It would be meaningful if you would share with this group your views on
the following talking points:
1.
The need to broaden the base of the GOP and bring minorities
into full participation of the two-party system.
A. Polls and black support of GOP
B. President Ford wants minorities to be a part of and
play a role in his Administration.
2. Welcome their input. We depend on each person making their
concerns known to Stan Scott.
3. We welcome your recommendations on approaches to meet and
solve the pressing problems of the day. I understand you are
leaving with Stan Scott position papers and suggested solutions to
domestic concerns. Please be assured that your recommendations
will be given priority consideration as we work to find solutions to
our domestic problems.
Note: I do not recommend that your remarks be restricted in any
manner in view of your wide-ranging responsibilities. This
group is primarily concerned that their loyalty and support
is wanted and needed in a partnership in progress as we move
ahead to make this a better country for all Americans.
Bob, it would be appreciated if you would give the group a few
minutes of your time just before or immediately after the
President's appearance at 10:30 a.m.
Bob, thanks for your support.
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
Products Brifing Poptr
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 11, 1974
MEETING WITH KEY BLACK REPUBLICANS
Friday, September 13, 1974
10:30 a.m. (10 Minutes)
The Cabinet Room
From: Stan Scott
I.
PURPOSE
To personally assure black Republicans that the President is
a strong advocate of the two-party system and wants to broaden
the base of the GOP with blacks as an integral part of this effort.
II. BACKGROUND, PARTICIPANTS AND PRESS PLAN
A. Background: As your liaison with the black community, my
office has received numerous requests from a wide cross-
section of black Republicans expressing their support of
your Administration and a desire to meet their new Chief
Executive.
Today's meeting is the first in a series that Stan Scott will
be conducting at the President's request to gain input from
a cross-section of black Republicans. To provide these
Republicans a sense of involvement at the highest level of
government, each participant has been asked to leave with
us a position paper and recommended solutions to problems
facing blacks and the poor.
GOP Chairwoman Mary Louise Smith and Anne Armstrong
will participate in the meeting and provide input from their
respective areas of responsibility. Counsellors Robert
Hartmann and John Marsh are expected to drop-in and
meet our supporters.
B. Participants: Robert Hartmann, John Marsh, Anne Armstrong,
Stan Scott, John Calhoun, Mary Louise Smith.
C. Press Plan: Press photo
- 2 -
III. TALKING POINTS
1.
I want you to know that I welcome and appreciate your
support and eagerly look forward to working with all of
you as we move to strengthen and broaden the base of
our party.
2. I have asked Stan Scott to solicit your comments and
thoughts on the most serious concerns of black Americans
to assist my Administration as we move ahead to find solutions
to our domestic problems. The position papers you leave
with us today will be carefully reviewed and considered by
my staff as we work to find solutions.
3. While we are determined to broaden the base of the Republican
party with black and other minority support, we are also
determined in our commitment to beat inflation, high unemploy-
ment and other social and economic problems affecting our
country. We need your help.
4. I also want and need your support as we move to build bridges
to human dignity across that gulf which too frequently separates
black from white America.
5. I understand that our new Republican Chairwoman Mary Louise
Smith, Counsellor Anne Armstrong and other White House
Staffers have been meeting with you this morning, but none of
that is important unless we all work together in a partnership
in progress to achieve common goals to strengthen our party
and our nation.
6. Mayor Lyman Parks from my hometown in Grand Rapids is
on Presidential assignment in Yugoslavia, but I see we are
represented by Paul Phillips, my friend from the Grand Rapids
Urban League.
7. I welcome and need your support--you have mine as we move
ahead to unify and strengthen our great nation.
FLETCHER, ART
Republican
National
Committee.
October 22, 1974
Honorable Gerald Ford
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington, D. C. 20500
Dear President Ford:
Per your recent reference to busing and quality education, you might find
a definition sent to me by a highly qualified and committed Black educator
useful.
Attached is a copy of recent correspondence received from Lawnie H. Taylor
of Los Angeles. Mr. Taylor's definition of "quality education" and his
statement about "How To Ahcieve Quality Education for Black Children" are
included in the letter.
Sincerely, Certian
Arthur A. Fletcher
Consultant to the Chairman
For Minority Affairs
CC: Robert Hartmann
Dwight D. Eisenhower Republican Center: 310 First Street Southeast, Washington, D.C. 20003. (202) 484-6500.
13 October 1974
Mr. Arthur Fletcher
Republican National Headquarters
310 First Street, S.E.
Washington, D.C.
Attn: Mrs. Pat Holt
Dear Art:
I deeply appreciate the time taken out of your personal
schedule which you accorded me today. In response to
your suggestion, I submit the following definitions:
QUALITY EDUCATION -
Preparation of the child sufficient to produce such
results that the product can realize an opportunity
for equal employment.
HOW TO ACHIEVE QUALITY EDUCATION FOR BLACK CHILDREN -
By means of academic programs designed and implemented
by Black expertise and parents, as agents within a
school system; programs which comport with the Black
child's lifestyle, and home and community environ-
ments, i.e., which are relevant.
I will look forward to a response from your office with
regard to the case TAYLOR vs. PASADENA CITY BOARD OF
EDUCATION, CV74 2870 FW(K), filed October 4, 1974 in the
United States District Court Central District of California.
from Very truly yours,
Lawnie H. Taylor
LHT/pt
1817 GERALD P. FORD
L.H.
cultornsso
850 COLORADO
SUITE 01
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 23, 1974
MEETING WITH KEY BLACK CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS
Friday, October 25, 1974
12:15 p.m. (30 Minutes)
The Cabinet Room
From: Stan Scott
I. PURPOSE
To let these leaders know that the President intends to build
bridges to human dignity across that gulf which today too
frequently separates black from white America. To solicit
the recommendations and suggestions of these respected
Americans as the President seeks solutions to domestic
problems.
II. BACKGROUND, PARTICIPANTS AND PRESS PLAN
A. Background: Immediately after assuming the Vice
Presidency, Mr. President, you requested that I set
up a meeting with top civil rights leaders to establish
a spirit of cooperation and willingness to work with all
segments of American society to help insure success of
the Administration's civil rights and minority-oriented
programs. Your first White House meeting, as Vice
President, was with top black Administration appointees.
Today's meeting is the latest in a series that you have
held with blacks (Black Caucus, Black Republicans and
Black Appointees) to gain their views on pressing domestic
problems. Each participant in today's meeting has been
asked to leave with us a position paper and recommended
solutions to problems facing blacks and the poor.
-2-
Roy Wilkins, elder statesman of the civil rights movement,
is out of the country and could not be with us today. His
organization is ably represented by Clarence Mitchell.
Roy Wilkins will meet with you at a later date here at the
White House. Mr. President, you met with several of
these black leaders when you were Vice President.
B. Participants: Robert Hartmann, John Marsh, Donald Rumsfeld,
Stan Scott, Geoffrey Shepard, John Calhoun, William Walker,
Roger Semerad.
C. Press Plan: Press Photo
III. TALKING POINTS
1. BUSING: While I am opposed to the busing of school
children, especially the younger ones outside their
neighborhoods in order to achieve racial balance, I
reiterate that I intend to see that the laws of the land
are faithfully executed and that the law established by the
Supreme Court, as the final arbiter of Constitutional rights,
will be carried out even where I might personally have some
disagreement with those decisions.
(The President might want to state the view that a spirit
of racial harmony and understanding, even among those
with different opinions on the busing issue, will greatly
improve our ability to enforce the constitutional rights of
everyone, and do so in a way which is sensible and effective).
Assure the civil rights leaders that those individuals found
guilty of violating the civil rights of others black or white-
will be dealt with by the Department of Justice.
2. I welcome and need your support- you have mine--as we move
ahead to unify and strengthen our great nation We are deter-
mined to win the battle against inflation, high unemployment
and other social and economic problems affecting our country.
We need your help.
3. VOTING RIGHTS ACT EXTENSION: The President might take
the following approach: a) There is no right more important than
the vote, and state his commitment to enforcing all laws that
guarantee that this right will not be abridged by reason of
race or color. b) Note that when the Act was passed in 1965
and extended in 1970, he voted for such actions on both occasions,
and does not have a private political agenda to torpedo the Voting
Rights Act, particularly if compelling arguments for extension
are made.
4. MINORITY BUSINESS: The development of minority business
is not only a top priority of this Administration, but one to which
I have a personal commitment.
5. FAIR HOUSING: Civil Rights Commission report concludes
that not nearly enough is being done to insure fair housing
opportunities. President might want to instruct HUD and
Justice to review concerns expressed by the Commission
and report to the President through their respective Cabinet
officers.
6. OEO-POVERTY PROGRAMS: As the programs proved them-
selves, they were spun off into the agencies that had similar
ongoing activities. For instance, Job Corps was delegated to
Labor, Head Start to HEW, Comprehensive Health Centers to
HEW, etc. The Administration feels that such moves strengthen
rather than weaken the programs. With the signing f.legal
services legislation, the only major program remaining in OEO
is Community Action; which, if approved by Congress, will be
turned over to other levels of government.
7. UNEMPLOYMENT: Under the actions which I took on September 11,
over one billion dollars in public service employment funding has
been released under the Comprehensive Employment and Training
Act, providing 170, 000 public service jobs. Further I believe
there is a need for federal standby authority with minimal
inflationary impact which will help alleviate the impact of
unemployment should unemployment rates rise further as a result
of economic conditions. I have stated repeatedly that our
policies, while stringent in economic terms, would be
compassionate in human terms; that I would not let the impact
of inflation control measures fall disproportionately on those
Americans least able to bear the cost. The National Employ-
ment Assistance Act of 1974 would implement those pledges by
authorizing, through December 31, 1975, two programs which
would begin to operate in local areas with the heaviest unemploy-
ment should the national unemployment rate average 6 percent
or more for three months.
8. EMPLOYMENT: The civil rights leaders would be pleased if the
President were to acknowledge his belief that despite important
and significant progress in the field of equal opportunity, there
are situations where jobs are denied because of race and national
origin, and that he believes that it is important for all citizens
to have a fair chance to work at their chosen jobs.