The Influence of the National Black Political Convention of 1972 on Indiana Politics: Views from and of a High School Gym in Gary, Indiana—Then and Now

Abstract

In the early 1970s, Black leaders across the United States began to talk about the need for political activism and holding a meeting where people could gather to discuss ideas of change, moving from voicing anger and frustration during the 1960s and turning toward a new direction—encouraging more Black Americans to run for public office. Organizers chose a high school gym in Gary, Indiana, as the location for the event, and March 10 to 12, 1972, for the dates, which would draw more than 10,000 people from nearly all 50 states to the first National Black Political Convention. This thesis challenges the idea that momentum from the convention was temporary, and it documents the success of the call to public service for Black people of Indiana through contemporary accounts from the time and interviews of those who attended, all of whom have since devoted their lives to public service. People, who helped prepare for the event, as well as mentees and children of attendees, also give testimony. While scholarship on the impact of the convention is minimal, the proof of effective change in public policy becomes clear with my interviews, which document the growing numbers of Black people in elected office and in other forms of public service as a result of the convention. In addition to books dealing with the convention and contemporary documents and news articles, 54 interviews guided the research that leaves no doubt that the convention in Gary energized the attendees and future generations to become part of the conversation in the corridors of power in cities, counties and the statehouse of Indiana.