office of economic opportunity Archives - The North

Bessie Smith Telegram to Sargent Shriver (Oct. 28,1965)

Telegram from Bessie Smith, President of the People’s Action Group (Area Board #3) of the United Community Corporation (UCC), to Sargent Shriver, Director of the Office of Economic Opportunity on October 28, 1965. Mrs. Smith sent the telegram to request Shriver’s assistance in response to the City Council Committee’s investigation of the UCC. Mrs. Smith and many others felt that the investigation was an attempt to bring the antipoverty agency under the control of the Mayor and the City Council. — Credit: Junius Williams Papers

UCC Program Report, 1965-1966-ilovepdf-compressed

Program Report of the United Community Corporation (UCC) for the 1965-1966 year. The report provides an overview of the UCC’s community action programs, several of which focused on job training for Newark’s poor Black and Puerto Rican communities. — Credit: Newark Public Library

Johnson offers federal help (Star-Ledger July 15, 1967)

Article from the Star-Ledger on July 15, 1967 describing President Lyndon Baines Johnson’s offer of federal support to “suppress rioting” in Newark. President Johnson had privately pledged aid to Governor Hughes on Friday July 14, but tried to avoid public involvement in Newark during the rebellion. Johnson was reportedly “furious” when his offer of federal support was made public. — Credit: The Star-Ledger