HISTORY OF THE TEXAS COALITION OF BLACK DEMOCRATS

 

In January 1979, a small group from Arlington, Dallas, Fort Worth and Grand Prairie met in the home of Mrs. Sallye Moore of Grand Prairie, Texas to discuss the possibility of establishing a political network between African Americans in the DFW Metroplex. The group met for about six months, and the concept of a

Coalition of Black Democrats came to life.

 

African-American grassroots leaders from across the state of Texas were called to a meeting at the Holiday Inn in Duncanville, Texas on August 25, 1979 to hear about this ground-breaking concept. Robert Maison, Assistant Director of Domestic Policy for the White House was the speaker of the hour. Those attending enthusiastically embraced the idea and decided to call a

statewide meeting which was to be held in Austin, Texas.

 

Planning meetings were held in October 1979 in Austin, Texas and in January 1980 in Corsicana, Texas.

The first State Conference was held in Austin, Texas on February 22-24, 1980.

 

Three-hundred fifty-six registered delegates participated in this meeting.

 

Workshops at the Austin meeting were conducted by:

Conrad Mallet, Jr., Black Affairs, DNC;

Dr. James R. Ukockis, Sr., Economist, Department of Treasury; and

Eddie B. Johnson, Health Services Administration.

The luncheon speaker was Congressman Ron Dellums (D-California).

The banquet speaker was Ambassador Andrew Young.

 

Once the local Coalition of Black Democrats began to establish chapters in most of the major cities in Texas, the name was changed to

The Texas Coalition of Black Democrats.

The Coalition has had a major impact on many local, state, national, as well as Presidential elections.

 

Most political candidates seek the endorsement

of the Texas Coalition of Black Democrats to this day.

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