Mayor Wagner proclaims Feb 12-19 Negro History Week for 1956.

Reverend John M. Coleman introduces speakers, including:

- Anna Hedgeman, Assistant to the Mayor, who speaks and introduces Matchee Marshall, 82, who speaks briefly. Hedgeman also mentions the presence of Nettie Carter Jackson and others, and proposes that the groups represented at the event provide educational material for this week.

- James Egert Allen, of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, who speaks about the history of the Association and its purpose --among others, a genuine improvement of society at large. Mr. Allen dismisses the idea of the melting pot, proposing a concept of mosaic instead.

- Dr. Jacob Greenberg, Deputy Superintendent of Schools, who points out how hard it is to imagine America without contributions from the Negro race. He also mentions that many Negroes serve in the educational system of the city, although he does not know how many, since statistics on race are not kept.

- Manhattan Borough President Hulan Jack, who insists that we need full integration, and compares the plight of Negroes with that of other minorities, pointing out that minorities need to be protected by the whole, and that brotherhood principles need to be applied 365 days of year, since "each one of us is our brother's keeper".

- Mayor Robert F. Wagner, who mentions "shameful" incident in Alabama [racially-related mob violence at the University of Alabama] before reading the proclamation making Feb 12-19, 1956 Negro History Week.

Reverend Coleman and Ms. Hedgeman then mention other dignitaries present, including Joseph Cavallero, Abe Stark, Glester Hinds, and others.

The event concludes with Harlem Monsignor Cornelius Drew delivering the blessing, pointing out god's "wise, equal creation".

Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection

WNYC archives id: 175120
Municipal archives id: LT7223