Alabama Democratic Conference facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alabama Democratic Conference
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|---|---|
| Chairman | Joe L. Reed |
| Founded | 1960 |
| Headquarters | 424 S. Decatur Street, Montgomery, Alabama |
| Ideology | African-American civil rights, Democratic Party advocacy |
| National affiliation | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Website | |
| theadc.org | |
The Alabama Democratic Conference (ADC) is an important group for African Americans in politics. It was started by Orzell Billingsley and others, working with the national Democratic Party. The ADC began in 1960 as the Black Political Caucus of Alabama. It was the first group of its kind in Alabama for African Americans. Its main goal was to help newly registered African American voters join the Democratic Party.
How the ADC Started
The Alabama Democratic Conference was co-founded by several key people. These included civil rights lawyer Arthur Shores and activist Rufus Lewis. Other founders were teacher C.G. Gomillion, salesman Q. D. Adams, and union leader Isom Clemon. Teacher Beulah Johnson and lawyer Orzell Billingsley also helped start the group. They formed the ADC to support John F. Kennedy in his run for president in 1960.
Working for Change
Many white conservative Democrats in Alabama did not support civil rights. They also resisted African Americans joining the state Democratic Party. Because of this, some ADC activists, like John L. Cashin, Jr., later left the Alabama Democratic Party. In 1968, they created a new group called the National Democratic Party of Alabama. This new party was similar to the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party.
The National Democratic Party of Alabama aimed to help African Americans get involved in local and state politics. It also worked to find and elect their own candidates for public office. For example, John L. Cashin, Jr. ran for governor against George Wallace in 1970.
The ADC Today
The Alabama Democratic Conference continues to be active in politics. It recommends candidates in statewide elections. The ADC also has many local groups in different counties. Dr. Joe L. Reed has been the leader, or chairman, of the ADC since 1979. He used to be a leader at the Alabama Education Association.
