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Mission Statement: 

The Poor People’s Campaign seeks to directly compel America to redress the policies that create and substantiate poverty, oppress the poor and deny people the right to live with dignity, respect, justice, equality and freedom.  

Background on the Southern Christian Leadership’s Poor People’s Campaign:

On December 4, 1967, the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. announced to the press his plans for the Poor People’s Campaign.  He described a movement that would shine a light on the daily plight of those living in poverty by “leading waves of the nation’s poor and disinherited to Washington, D.C…to demand redress of their grievances by the United States and to secure at least jobs or income for all.” 

By bringing people out of the shadows and taking them to the centers of decision-making, he would give the oppressed a voice in their destiny and hold political leaders accountable for their choices affecting impoverished individuals and families. The Poor People’s Campaign was considered by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., to be the second phase of the civil rights movement. This effort sought to eradicate poverty by creating livable wage jobs. The campaign was halted due to the untimely death of Dr. King, who is known as one of world’s greatest most influential leaders of all time.

Current Campaign:

4.8 million Californians live in poverty and while the United States of America remains a super world power, a vast majority of inner city residents are held in perpetual poverty. Cries of injustice went unheard to those in power. In March 2007, a list of distinguished community leaders formed a coalition consisting of community based organizations, businesses and individuals to respond to the devastating impact poverty was having on communities of color.

The solution was economic justice through the revival of Dr. King’s Poor People's Campaign. On April 4, 2007 Dr. King’s Poor People’s Campaign was officially launched with the support of hundreds of Los Angeles residents. This effort seeks to eradicate poverty by creating livable wage jobs and creating the society that Dr. King had envisioned, where even the very least among us would have an opportunity to live with freedom, dignity, respect and justice.

Collaborative Partnerships:

Rev. Eric Lee, President & CEO, SCLC of Greater Los Angeles, Tyrone Freeman, President,

SEIU Long-Term Care Workers Union, AFL-CIO, African American Cultural Center, Bethel AME, Representatives from the Cities of Carson, Compton, Inglewood, Long Beach and Los Angeles, Coalition LA, Community Health Council, Community Coalition, Coop Employment Service, Empowerment Congress, GLAAAC, Grant AME, IBEW Local 11, Interfaith Communities for Justice & Peace, UA Local 250, Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles Urban League, Millennium Momentum Foundation, Mothers In Action, NAACP, National Black Business Council, National Union Mortgage, North Long Beach Community Prayer Center, One L.A., Personal Services Plus, SEIU 1877, SEIU International, Southern California Pipe Trade, The Brotherhood Crusade, The Los Angeles Sentinel, The Organization US, Union Bank, Ward EDC 

Action Plan: 

TRAINING, EDUCATING, EMPOWERING to ELIMINATE POVERTY!

Working through our local houses of worship, we will inform congregants of the very real difference they can make by stepping up and speaking out in their communities and to their elected officials.  We will participate with our partners on trips to local governments and Sacramento so that our leaders can hear from the people whose lives are literally on the line.

Accomplishments: 

• Through the SCLC of Greater Los Angeles, a pre-apprentice program was created to develop the skills needed to secure a high-income career in the building trades as an electrician, carpenter, operating engineer, steel worker, pipe fitter, plumber, crane operator and more.

• Developed a pre-employment preparation class through the National Black Business Council that prepares job seekers for entry-level positions in the corporate world. Emphasis is placed on successful job application strategies including interviewing techniques, resume writing, communication and customer services skills.

• Working to establish a Technical Trade Academy through Community Coalition at Dorsey High School that will train students in a diversity of vocational fields.

Poverty Statistics:

National:

• 1967: 1 in 7 Americans lived in poverty.

• 2007: 1 in 8 Americans live in poverty (12.6% / 37.6 million)

State:

• 13.2% of California’s 37.1 million residents live in poverty* (slightly above the national average), yet California boasts one of the worlds largest economies.

•  20% of California’s Black population lives in poverty – with half of that population residing in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles:

• 16% of LA’s residents live in poverty – drastically higher than the national average.

• While LA is home to 27% of California residents, we are home to 32% of the states poor.

(Click here for PDF)

March 2007: REIGNITING DR. KING’S POOR PEOPLE’S CAMPAIGN

To respond to the devastating impact of poverty on inner city communities, a group of community leaders led by Tyrone Freeman Chair of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) of Greater Los Angeles, and Rev. Eric P. Lee, President of SCLC, came together to re-ignite Dr. King’s Poor People’s Campaign. The Campaign seeks to eradicate poverty with livable wage jobs, education and training opportunities, safer communities, housing development and quality healthcare solutions.

April 2007: THE POOR PEOPLE’S CAMPAIGN KICK-OFF PRESS CONFERENCE

On April 4th 2007, the campaign is officially re-launched with a highly publicized press conference. The leadership coalition announced an elaborate plan to end poverty by creating a movement of economic justice for those greatest in need. Over 40 prominent organizations and community leaders ranging from civil and human rights, labor, faith based, political and businesses are supporting the campaign’s enormous effort. The Poor People’s Campaign is being developed to become a national movement of social justice for the poor.

June 2007: PRESS CONFERENCE LAUNCHING OF THREE NEW EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS

The Poor People’s Campaign holds a press conference on June 15, 2007 in front of the State of California Employment Development Department on Crenshaw to announce the creation of three new pre-employment programs to secure high-income careers. Those being offered include a Pre-Apprentice Program in the building trades through the SCLC, a Pre-Employment Preparation Program through the National Black Business Council (NBBC), that focuses on successful skills for the corporate world, and a technical and trade academy at Dorsey High School through Community Coalition.

On the evening of June 15, 2007 The Poor People’s Campaign holds their first Community Town Hall Meeting to discuss poverty with fifteen of nineteen candidates, competing to secure the 37th Congressional District seat. Over 300 of the most impoverished residents attend the lively debate at Cal State Dominguez Hills and presented their questions and issues to the candidates.

August 2007: START OF TWO NEW PRE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS

A Pre-Apprentice Program in the construction trade created by SCLC began on August 13, 2007. The twelve-week training is held Mondays through Thursdays and covers, math, algebra, work ethics, skills test, communication skills and job application strategies to secure a high-income career as an electrician, surveyor, operating engineer, ironworker, pipe-fitter, plumber, crane operator and more, with Trade Unions and City and State Agencies. Fifteen students participate in the training.

The NBBC begins their Pre-Employment Preparation Program. Contents covered in the training include, job application strategies (interviewing, written and verbal communication, customer service and computer application skills. Classes start on August 13 and conclude September 24 2007.  Twenty students register for the training.

CAREER EXPO

Community Coalition in partnership with The Poor People’s Campaign and the Youth and Workforce Development Alliance, host a “Back to School, Back to Work: Career Expo” on August 25, 2007 at the African Marketplace and Cultural Faire. The interactive expo connected hundreds of African American and Latino youth and residents to apprenticeships and living-wage career opportunities in construction, architecture, energy and engineering.

September 2007: NBBC PRE EMPLOYMENT PREPARATION PROGRAM FINISHES

The NBBC concludes their first session of a Pre-Employment Preparation Program on September 24, 2007 with twelve students successfully completing their training. The NBBC announced that six of the students would be gifted with personal computers to aid in their careers. The graduating class will be matched with prospective employers based on their interest.

October 2007: MEET AND GREET WITH 55TH STATE ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES

The Poor People’s Campaign hosts the first “Meet and Greet” with candidates, Warren Furutani and Mervin Evans who seek the 55th State Assembly District seat. Over 60 residents including community advocates and the leadership coalition with The Poor People’s Campaign participate at the informal gathering held on October 9, 2007.

Tyrone Freeman, Chair of the SCLC announces plans to rebuild the Jordan Downs Project with a dynamic housing re-development project that will allow current residents to live in quality affordable homes in a newly built empowered community.

Southern California Edison (SCE) announces their support for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) of Greater Los Angeles’ Pre-Apprentice Program by committing to fund the program for one year.  The Poor People’s Campaign acknowledges this generous contribution by SCE.

The Poor People’s Campaign being engaging the residents of Jordan Downs in the plans to re-build their community with new quality town houses. 

November 2007:  PRE APPRENTICE PROGRAM FINISHES

The first session of the SCLC’s Pre-Apprentice Program concludes with 6 graduating students. Each will receive assistance with accessing trade industry careers. Outreach plans to enroll additional students have begun.

A DAY OF DIALOGUE WITH THE RESIDENTS OF JORDAN DOWNS

A community meeting titled, “A Day of Dialogue,” with the residents of Jordan Downs is set to take place on Saturday November 3, 2007 at 10:00 am. The event will be held at the Jordan Downs Recreations Center. Community advocates prepare to mobilize hundreds to the event.

Southern California Edison (SCE) announces their support for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) of Greater Los Angeles’ Pre-Apprentice Program by committing to fund it for one year.  The Poor People’s Campaign acknowledges this generous contribution by SCE.

December 2007:  SCLC PRE- APPRENTICE CLASS GRADUATION TRANSITIONING TO EXCELLENCE

On Thursday December 6, 2007 SCLC proudly graduated seven students in the first Pre-Apprentice Class. A graduation ceremony was held at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Los Angeles that celebrated Amy N. Phillips, Elroy Tolbert II, Gesele C. Marsh, Keith Tolliver, Michael W. Graves, Percy L. Wilder, and Yerodin K. Prince for their successful completion of the class. Over 60 participant including guest speaker Hank Springer acknowledged the students who are now trained to enter full apprenticeship programs within the building trades industries.

SCLC and CLEAN UP AMERICA GIVE HOLIDAY GIFTS TO JORDAN DOWNS RESIDENTS

SCLC/LA, Clean Up America and The Poor People’s Campaign distribute over 400 turkeys and toys to the residents of Jordan Downs. Attending the 1pm holiday give away that was held December 22, 2007 were Tyrone Freeman, Chair of SCLC/LA, Rev. Eric Lee, President of SCLC/LA and Deontay Potter, of Clean Up America.