The Black Action Movement was a coalition of Springfield, Illinois community organizations created to strengthen the bargaining position of the black community. It was formed in December 1968, with Dr. Rudolph S. Schoultz, a pastor of the Union Baptist Church in Springfield, and Dr. Charles Young as the primary organizers. Its purpose was to unite efforts in solving economic, political, and social problems facing the black community. Each organization within the coalition continued to function autonomously.

Efforts to organize black organizations were first discussed in the Truth Seekers class, a young adult class of the Union Baptist Church. Three directors, each representing a different organization, were elected and made respectively responsible for the Black Action Movement’s secretarial and financial duties; diplomatic service and chairmanship; and project directorship.

Actions taken by the organization included investigations concerning fights and expulsions of black students at Southeast High School, protests against the Springfield Housing Authority’s hiring of an assistant director, a proposal to establish a nursing home, sponsorship of a Little League baseball team, and use of the Spirit, a black newspaper, as its official voice.