Vivian Henderson Papers

This audio recording is a 1976 episode of the radio program Martin Luther King Speaks. The episode is a tribute episode to Dr. Vivian Wilson Henderson and reproduces a speech given by Henderson at the 18th Annual Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) Convention in 1975. Dr. Henderson discusses the economic situation facing the United States and how it affects African Americans as well as the working poor. He argues for improved public policies, including a drive for a policy of full employment. Henderson closes by urging that economic class distinctions, and not just race relations, need to be considered more by organizations such as the SCLC.

This audio recording, dated 1974, captures part of a panel of speakers discussing the topic Stagflation and the Poor. Dr. Vivian Wilson Henderson, president of Clark College, speaks first. Henderson argues that people should not see the federal government as the culprit in the simultaneous rise of recession and inflation. He contends that the solution for stagflation is for the government to create jobs programs and, ultimately, restructure the tax code to be more progressive. He asserts that there will be social upheaval if the problem of economic class distinctions is not addressed. The recording also includes a portion of a speech by Lucille Rose, the Commissioner of the City of New York's Department of Employment.

An unidentified woman delivering a speech during the 1974 "Henderson, We Love you Madly Day" Celebration.

This audio recording contains the celebration of the National Bureau of Economic Researchs 50th anniversary. Multiple speakers each take thirty minutes to speak on the success of the bureau as well as the guest of honor. The first speaker is Mr. Wassily Leontief who speaks on the changes and improvements made in the economic world because of the presence of the National Bureau of Economic Research. The second speaker, George P. Schultz, speaks on different techniques and products that have changed over the past fifty years. Schultz also speaks on Burns Laws. The last speaker is John R. Meyer. Meyer discusses the advances of the bureau in the past 25 years such as their new international program and launch of new studies programs.

This audio recording consists of Clark Colleges centennial ceremony exercises. The main speaker for this ceremony is Dr. Lawrence Dunbar Reddick, a historian and the author of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s biography. Dr. Reddick speaks to the audience about the importance of Clarks centennial for the history of black colleges. He stresses the important role the students play in maintaining the legacy of these schools and their futures. Dr. Vivian W. Henderson, 18th president of Clark College, then speaks on the forces that play a role in the shaky state of American higher education.

In this audio recording, dated circa 1971, Dr. Vivian Wilson Henderson, president of Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia, addresses an audience of leaders in the United Methodist Church. Dr. Hendersons speech focuses on the economic conditions unique to HBCUs. He points out particular financial stressors for the colleges, including a large number of students from low income families, lack of reliable alumni contributions, and increasing academic aspirations of faculty and students.

This audio recording contains a speech delivered at a convocation ceremony at DePaul University by Dr. Vivian Henderson. He discusses the importance of equality of access rather than equality of opportunity and the unrealistic expectations of African Americans relating to the availability of housing, education, and employment. He discusses the responses white people have used in regards to the slogan Black Power! Dr. Henderson also urges that people adopt the ideal that the nation should have a racially integrated society, and he also shares his opinions about civil rights activist and Pan-Africanist, Stokely Carmichael (later known as Kwame Ture).

In this undated audio recording, an unidentified representative of Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, addresses a group of unidentified people on the topic of the Fisk University Honors Program. The speaker mentions that Dr. Vivian Wilson Henderson was on the committee that set the program up. He argues that the Honors Program needs to be particularly thoughtful about the choice of director, but that it is even more important to have a strong committee so that the program does not become a one man operation. The speaker also insists that it is better to separate the honors students from other students at the university.

This audio recording consists of five different speakers from various fields speaking on ideas to improve the welfare system in order to better help the poor. The first speaker is Ed Sparrow. Sparrow speaks on the legal rights of the poor. He discusses how the welfare department holds all the power when it comes to the life and death of the poor because their lives depend on the amount of welfare assistance they receive. The second speaker is Dr. Green who discusses the idea of adopting a negative income tax. He explains how it would work as well as who would be eligible. The third speaker is Dr. Vivian Wilson Henderson, 18th president of Clark College. Dr. Henderson discusses the unbalanced occupational structure of the Negro labor force and argues that income maintenance programs such as the negative income tax will not actually solve the problems with welfare. The next speaker, John Fields, discusses inter-government relationships and how they affect the solution process of welfare needs. He urges the different government officials to work together to solve problems. The last speaker is the Honorable Charles L. Weltner, former US congressman. Weltner argues that minimum wage puts people out of work. He begs institutions and agencies to work harder to create a better means of teaching skills today for the tasks of tomorrow. The recording ends with a question and answer session with the speakers and members of the audience.

In this undated audio recording, an unidentified speaker discusses the question of economic development in ghettos. He argues that the ghetto problem is the main pressing problem of cities everywhere. He also explores obstacles and opportunities for investing in these communities.