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Chicago SNCC History Project Archives

Finding Aid: Chicago SNCC History Project Archives
Repository: Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature

One of the main missions of the Chicago Area Friends of SNCC (CAFSNCC) was to support SNCC's efforts in the South, including its organizing campaigns to register voters and change the landscape of Southern politics. Many African Americans paid dearly for registering to vote, often losing their homes, jobs and even their lives. Following one particular food drive in 1963-1964, CAFSNCC shipped 113,000 pounds of food to Mississippi.
Note: Ben Burns Collection 133, Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature
The CAFSNCC were instrumental in Chicago civil rights demonstrations in addition to supporting civil rights activities in the South. In 1963, CAFSNCC participated in the Chicago Schools Boycott, protesting unequal and racially segregated public schools in Chicago. The CAFSNCC organized Freedom Schools for students to attend in lieu of attending the public schools on Freedom Day, October 22, 1963.
Note: Ben Burns Collection 133, Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature
The Student Voice was the official paper of SNCC and was published out the organization's headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. This particular issue of The Student Voice from 1964 highlights SNCC's presence and involvement in Mississippi civil rights activism, particularly the struggle around political representation for African Americans in the state. SNCC helped to found and establish the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party in 1964.
Note: Ben Burns Collection 133, Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature
The two-day Tell the Story conference was held in October of 2005 and brought together activists, scholars, students, leaders and community members to remember and engage the role of the CAFSNCC and SNCC in the civil rights movement. Through the conference and through an oral history interview project of former CAFSNCC members and SNCC staff, the records of the Chicago SNCC History Project serve as an important part of the collection which offers a contemporary look back at the civil rights movement.
Note: Ben Burns Collection 133, Chicago Public Library, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature

Images and an overview of the artifacts.