Black Liberation Affairs Committee (B.L.A.C.) records

The Black Liberation Affairs Committee (B.L.A.C.) was formed at Macalester College in September of 1967 by Michael Davis and Jim Bennett when they recognized the immediate need for a cohesive and driven organization to take a stand on the issues that Black students on campus and beyond faced.

In the article, “What is B.L.A.C.”, Richard Cambridge outlined the group’s aims in three parts.

• “Firstly, to educate and to further acquaint ourselves with all the issues of Black Culture, social, political, and economic, incorporating these in their revolutionary context.”

• “Secondly, we felt that if America is to survive as a nation of different peoples, then there must be an understanding of each other’s cultural background and that if one does not adore another culture, then he should be able to appreciate the difference. In this light, an education of our white brothers and sisters was underlined.

• “Lastly, but by no means the least, we sought to involve ourselves in the St. Paul Black community with a view that in the long run we can extend our areas of operation.”

B.L.A.C. sponsors events, speakers, and programs on campus to further these goals as well as working to affect further positive change in campus policies and programs for minoritized student body members.

Email: blac@macalester.edu

Instagram: @blacatmac