Child Development Group of Mississippi
Variant namesThe Child Development Group of Mississippi (CDGM) was a community action group that developed a Head Start program for low income, primarily black, pre-school children. The CDGM Head Start program evolved from a meeting called by Dr. Tom Levin, a civil rights activist, with five other social scientists and professionals, which was held in New York City on March 11, 1965. Levin was the first director of the CDGM's Head Start program which, in its heyday, operated eighty-seven centers throughout Mississippi with an enrollment of 6,000 children and a staff of 3,000 adults.
The CDGM received one of the largest grants in the country from the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) to begin operation. Within months it became the OEO's most controversial Head Start program. It faced opposition from the Klu Klux Klan, the local press and some members of the black community. In addition, charges of mismanagement were leveled at the organization. In September, less than six months from the time they were funded, CDGM's funds were withdrawn by the OEO.
With the aid of a newly formed support group, the Friends of Children of Mississippi (FCM), the CDGM operated without government funding during the winter of 1965-1966. After a congressional investigation, organizational and personnel changes, the OEO provided $5.5 million dollars for a full year's operation in fourteen out of the nineteen countries in the state. In October 1967 the OEO withdrew all funding to Head Start programs in Mississippi counties operating under the mantle of the CDGM.
From the description of Child Development Group of Mississippi collection, 1965-1971. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 86164356
The Child Development Group of Mississippi (CDGM) was a community action group that developed a Head Start program for low income, primarily black, pre-school children. The CDGM Head Start program evolved from a meeting called by Dr. Tom Levin, a civil rights activist, with five other social scientists and professionals, which was held in New York City on March 11, 1965. Levin was the first director of the CDGM's Head Start program which, in its heyday, operated eighty-seven centers throughout Mississippi with an enrollment of 6,000 children and a staff of 3,000 adults.
The CDGM received one of the largest grants in the country from the Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) to begin operation. Within months it became the OEO's most controversial Head Start program. It faced opposition from the Klu Klux Klan, the local press and some members of the black community. In addition, charges of mismanagement were leveled at the organization. In September, less than six months from the time they were funded, CDGM's funds were withdrawn by the OEO.
With the aid of a newly formed support group, the Friends of Children of Mississippi (FCM), the CDGM operated without government funding during the winter of 1965-1966. After a congressional investigation, organizational and personnel changes, the OEO provided $5.5 million dollars for a full year's operation in fourteen out of the nineteen countries in the state. In October 1967 the OEO withdrew all funding to Head Start programs in Mississippi counties operating under the mantle of the CDGM.
From the guide to the Child Development Group of Mississippi collection, 1965-1971, (The New York Public Library. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division.)
Role | Title | Holding Repository | |
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referencedIn | Levin, Tom. Tom Levin papers, 1963-1967. | Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Center | |
referencedIn | Amzie Moore papers, 1941-1970 | Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project | |
creatorOf | Child Development Group of Mississippi. Child Development Group of Mississippi collection, 1965-1971. | New York Public Library System, NYPL | |
referencedIn | Stewart, Peter H., 1934-. An oral history with Peter H. Stewart, 1997 Aug. 20, 28. | University of Southern Mississippi, Regional Campus, Joseph Anderson Cook Library | |
creatorOf | Yancy, Roberta,. Civil rights collection, 1960-1972. | New York Public Library System, NYPL | |
referencedIn | Houston, James M. Papers, ca. 1937, 1955, 1962-1967. | Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project | |
referencedIn | Winfield, William. Papers, 1965-1967. | Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project | |
referencedIn | Erik H. and Joan M. Erikson papers, 1925-1985 (inclusive) 1960-1980 (bulk). | Houghton Library | |
creatorOf | Child Development Group of Mississippi collection, 1965-1971 | Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Archives Section | |
referencedIn | Civil rights collection, 1960-1972 | Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Archives Section | |
creatorOf | United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. Board of National Missions. Division of Church Strategy and Development. Records, 1871-1972 / Board of National Missions, Division of Church Strategy and Development. | Presbyterian Historical Society, PHS | |
creatorOf | Child Development Group of Mississippi. Records, 1962-1969. | Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project | |
referencedIn | Chuck Stone Papers, 1931-2007 and undated | David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library | |
referencedIn | Citizens' Crusade Against Poverty. Citizens' Crusade Against Poverty records, 1964-1970, (bulk 1965-1968). | Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs | |
referencedIn | Delta Ministry. Thelma Barnes files, 1964-1970. | Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Center | |
referencedIn | Center for Community Change. Center for Community Change records, 1960-1979. | Wayne State University. Archives of Labor and Urban Affairs | |
referencedIn | Morey, R. Hunter, 1940- . Papers, 1962-1967. | Wisconsin Historical Society, Newspaper Project | |
referencedIn | Doris Adelaide Derby papers, circa 1958-2015 | Emory University. Special Collections and Archives |
Role | Title | Holding Repository |
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Filters:
Place Name | Admin Code | Country | |
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Mississippi | |||
United States | |||
Mississippi | |||
Mississippi |
Subject |
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African |
African American children |
African Americans |
African Americans |
African Americans |
African Americans |
African Americans |
African Americans |
African Americans |
African American students |
Children |
Children |
Children with social disabilities |
Children with social disabilities |
Community organization |
Education, Preschool |
Education, Preschool |
Education, Preschool |
Head Start Program |
Head Start Program |
Segregation in education |
Segregation in education |
Segregation in education |
Occupation |
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Activity |
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Corporate Body
Active 1962
Active 1969