Formed in 1986 to improve the standard of living and quality of life for the residents of the John Hay Homes public housing project in Springfield, and to promote athletic, artistic, charitable and civic activities.

Articles of incorporation documenting the organization's founding, the leaflet and press release distributed at a Voting Rights Rally on July 4, 1986 protesting Springfield's commission form of government and actions by the City Council and Illinois State Journal-Register.

The collection has been divided into five series, all contained in Box 1:  General Papers, 1982-2005; Voting Rights Lawsuit, 1986-1989; Police Review Commission, 1980-1984; and Marcus Garvey School and Malcolm X Library, 1988-2005.

Series Description

Series 1:  General Papers, 1982-1993, consist of pre-T.R.A. demographic data, correspondence, notes, constitution of the John Hay Home Resident Council, news articles, petitions, Lincoln School Bus Case, family background information, and legal papers against Springfield District #186; Articles of Incorporation and Certification forming the T.R.A.; T.R.A. correspondence, monthly reports, news articles, press releases, newsletters, notes, board meeting notes, grant applications to the Campaign for Human Development (CHD) and other various organizations, meeting minutes, and photographs.

Series 2:  Voting Rights Lawsuit, 1986-1989, consists of correspondence, news articles, case study research for legal precedent, and court documents regarding cases #85-23-65 and #87-2488, including petitions, motions, docket entries, orders/decrees, legal fees, memorandums, and affidavits.

Series 3:  Police Review Commission, 1980-1984, consists of correspondence and news articles regarding the deaths of the Hoskins family, Gerald Clemons, and Markadee R. Kelly.  These deaths led T.R.A. members to seek formation of a "watchdog" group to oversee police conduct.  Research of police review commissions were conducted by examining case studies, laws, guidelines, model legislation, petitions, the Berkeley Police Review Commissioners' Handbook, and local/national news articles.  This series also includes SSU van ban correspondence and news articles due to SSU students involvement in the protest march held regarding the deaths of Clemons and Kelly.

Series 4:  Marcus Garvey Liberation School and Malcolm X Library, 1988-2005, consists of correspondence, summer school schedules, programs, news articles, flyers, annual reports, photographs and negatives.  Papers documenting SSU student involvement with the Marcus Garvey School, under the leadership of Professor Mike Townsend, are included.  The Marcus Garvey Liberation School originally was named the Marcus Garvey Freedom School.  This series also includes materials pertaining to the Malcolm X Children's Library and Experimental Reading Center.

Series 5:  VHS and Audiocassette Recordings and 35mm Slides.  VHS recordings consist of Marcus Garvey 17th Graduation in 2002 and Rites of Passage, 15th anniversary celebration of the school, and the Malcolm X Library painting projects.  Audiocassette recordings consist of the SSU van ban following student protests of the deaths of Clemons and Kelly.  The 35mm slides are of the Marcus Garvey School children at the goat barn.