National Black Political Convention facts for kids

The National Black Political Convention, also known as the Gary Convention, was a big meeting held in Gary, Indiana. It took place from March 10 to 12, 1972. About ten thousand African Americans came together for this event. They met to talk about important problems facing black communities, especially economic and social challenges.

The Gary Convention: A Big Meeting for Change

The main goal of the convention was to find ways to help black communities. They wanted to increase the number of black politicians elected to government jobs. They also aimed to make sure black voices were heard more in politics. The leaders at the convention hoped to create a plan for important changes across the country.

What Was the Gary Declaration?

During the convention, a special statement was created called the Gary Declaration. This document explained that the American political system was not working well for black Americans. It suggested that the best way to fix this was for black communities to develop their own strong political movements.

Important People at the Convention

Many important leaders attended the Gary Convention. These included the mayor of Gary, Richard Hatcher. He was one of the main speakers. Another key speaker was Charles C. Diggs Jr., who was a Representative in the U.S. House of Representatives. Famous civil rights activist Jesse Jackson also participated in the discussions.

Nationtime: A Look Back at the Convention

The National Black Political Convention was captured in a documentary film called Nationtime. Filmmaker William Greaves directed this movie in 1972. The famous actor Sidney Poitier narrated the film. In 2020, a restored version of Nationtime was released. This updated version was made possible with help from Jane Fonda and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.