Atlanta Action Forum, 1971-2016
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No requestable containers
Scope and Content of the Series
This series is composed of the notes, minutes and agendas taken from the Atlanta Action Forum's monthly meetings, 1971-2006. The Agenda Committee sought, gathered and discussed possible projects for the group to consider. The folders entitled "Atlanta Action Forum" including announcements, correspondence, notes, agenda items and the minutes from the meetings of the date indicated.
Following the dated folder are alphabetically arranged topical files. The folders entitled, "Trotter, Smith and Jacobs Civic Matters" are comprised of papers regarding Atlanta Action Forum meetings.
Dates
- Creation: 1971-2016
Creator
- From the Collection: Trotter, Michael H. (Person)
Restrictions on Access
Collection is open for research use. Access to materials in this collection is restricted for 15 years after the dates of their respective creation.
This finding aid represents the portions of the collection open in 2016. Consult archivist for more information.
History of the Atlanta Action Forum
The Atlanta Action Forum was formed in 1971 by a group of civic minded business leaders who convened to work toward resolution of social problems in Atlanta. African-American businessman and community leader William L. Calloway approached Mills B. Lane, Jr., head of the Citizens and Southern Bank. Calloway and Lane selected the membership of the group, which was initially known as the Calloway-Lane Discussion Group. Specifically intended to be made up of both African American and white members, the Forum addressed such issues as education, transportation, housing, planning, economic development, and leadership. The Atlanta Action Forum gathered information, furthered discussions, and proffered solutions to civic and social problems in the city.
At that time, Atlanta was experiencing significant demographic and political changes in the wake of the civil rights movement, and black and white leaders of the city's civic and business communities perceived a need to work together to promote the interests of the city. In its first years, the Atlanta Action Forum was instrumental in creating the compromise and promotion that led to the narrow victory of the referendum that created the Metropolitan Atlanta Transit Authority (MARTA) and in developing the compromise that led to the resolution of the federal desegregation suit against Atlanta's city schools.
Throughout the middle and late 1970s the Atlanta Action Forum was involved in various efforts to reform the structure of Atlanta and Fulton County government and to seek new revenue for the city. The Forum supported Maynard Jackson in his successful campaign to become Atlanta's first African American mayor (in 1973) and assisted his administration in various ways, including supporting the planned expansion of Hatfield International Airport and in creating the circumstances that led to the resolution of lawsuits over racial bias in the Atlanta Police Department. During that era the Forum also addressed the need for economic opportunities for African Americans.
Extent
7.09 Linear Feet (in 17 boxes)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Repository
100 Decatur St., S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-413-2880
404-413-2881 (Fax)
archives@gsu.edu