Institute of the Black World facts for kids
| Formation | 1969 |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | 1983 |
The Institute of the Black World (IBW) was a special group of thinkers based in Atlanta, Georgia. It was started and led by smart people of African descent from 1969 to 1983.
The IBW was first a project of the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. It was led mainly by Vincent Harding. Historian Derrick E. White described it as "a group of activist-intellectuals who looked at education, politics, and activism to help the Black Freedom Struggle after King's death." Other key leaders in the early years included Stephen Henderson and William Strickland.
Contents
What Was the Institute of the Black World?
The IBW wanted to connect different ideas within the Black community. This included ideas like Black nationalism (focusing on Black community strength), integration (Black and white people living together equally), and Marxism (a way of thinking about society and fairness).
Who Did the IBW Help?
The Institute aimed to reach three main groups:
- Black scholars who were creating Black Studies programs in colleges.
- Black elected officials who held positions in government.
- Local community groups, often called "grassroots organizations."
Important People at IBW
Many important thinkers joined the IBW. These included nationalists like John Henrik Clark and Julius Lester. Integrationists like C. T. Vivian were also involved. Many intellectuals from outside the United States, especially from the Caribbean, also participated. This group included:
- Theorist C. L. R. James
- Cultural thinker Sylvia Wynter
- Historians Robert A. Hill and Walter Rodney
- Economists George Beckford and Norman Girvan
IBW's Main Ideas
The IBW's approach was described as "practical Black nationalism." This meant they focused on real-world issues. For example, they worked on creating Black Studies programs and developing a political plan for Black communities in the 1970s. They used the best ideas from different ways of thinking, including cultural and political nationalism, as well as integration.
The Institute also supported Black artists. They created teaching materials for Black children. One of their projects was the Black Policy Studies Center.
Where Was the IBW Located?
The organization was located on Chestnut Street in Atlanta. It was in the very house where W. E. B. Du Bois, another famous Black scholar, once lived. The IBW closed its doors in 1983.
Legacy of the IBW
In 2001, a new organization with a similar name was formed. It is called the Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW21). It was founded by Ron Daniels and is based in Elmhurst, New York, and Baltimore, Maryland.
External Links
- Derrick E. White, "The Institute of the Black World and Atlanta as Black Intellectual Mecca in the 1970s", Atlanta Studies, October 3, 2017.
