Albert Raby facts for kids

Albert Anderson Raby (1933 – November 23, 1988) was an important teacher and civil rights leader in Chicago. He worked to end segregation in schools and housing in Chicago between 1965 and 1967. Raby helped create the Coordinating Council of Community Organizations (CCCO). The CCCO's main goal was to stop segregation in Chicago schools. Raby often preferred to work behind the scenes.

Albert Raby's Early Life

Albert Raby was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1933. He left school in the eighth grade. Later, he joined a union. After serving in the army, he went back to school. He earned his grammar school diploma at age 24. Right after that, he earned his high school diploma. He went to both day and evening classes to finish his studies. In 1960, he earned a teaching degree from Chicago Teachers College. He then began his career as a teacher.

How Albert Raby Helped Form the CCCO

Raby was a member of the Teachers for Integrated Schools group. He helped create the Coordinating Council of Community Organizations (CCCO) in 1962. In 1963, Raby helped organize the Chicago Public School Boycott. This boycott was a protest against unfair school conditions. His group, Teachers for Integrated Schools, chose him to represent them at the CCCO. On January 11, 1964, he became the convener, or main organizer, of the CCCO.

When the CCCO movement officially started, Raby became a co-chairman. This meant he was one of its main leaders. As part of the Agenda Committee, Raby helped decide that "open housing" would be a key goal. Open housing meant that people of all races should be able to live wherever they wanted. This was important because many neighborhoods were kept separate by race.

In July 1966, Raby met with Mayor Richard J. Daley along with Martin Luther King Jr.. They presented the movement's demands to the mayor. Raby also led marches for open housing. He used his position as a local leader to bring together people in Chicago communities. These communities were greatly affected by housing segregation, which meant people were forced to live in separate areas based on their race.

Albert Raby's Later Career

From 1979 to 1982, Raby was the Director of the Peace Corps in Ghana. The Peace Corps is a group that sends American volunteers to help people in other countries. After his time in Ghana, he came back to Chicago. In 1983, he managed the successful mayoral campaign for Harold Washington. Washington became Chicago's first African-American mayor. In May 1983, Mayor Washington appointed Raby to lead the City of Chicago's Commission on Human Relations. This commission works to protect human rights and fairness for everyone in the city.

Albert Raby's Death and Recognition

Albert Raby died on November 23, 1988, from a heart attack.

In 2004, a public high school in Chicago was named after him. Al Raby High School for Community and Environment is located in the Garfield Park neighborhood. This school focuses on social justice issues and understanding the environment.