On Oct. 31, 2013, the Social Actions Committee (SAC20) was honored by KCMO Mayor Sly James and City Council for their 45 years of service. LINC congratulates SAC20 for its decades of service in making our families and neighborhoods stronger and our community a better place to live.

Video

The Resolution

RESOLUTION NO. 130859

Honoring Social Actions Committee 20 (SAC20) for 45 years of service.

WHEREAS, In April of 1968, after the death of Martin Luther King’s assassination, the funeral was televised. The Kansas City School District decided against letting children out of school for the world publicized funeral. In protest, children left school and marched the Kansas City streets of downtown to the Board of Education with police tried to disburse the crowd by force and with tear gas. Several young men including Bernard Powell, Lee Bohannon and Vernon Thompson emerged to restore calm in the tense moments. This later led to the organizing of what is known as SAC20; and

WHEREAS, the organization consist of 20 community organizations with leaders from all over the City. Original founders are Lee Banahnon, Bernad Powell, Vernon Thompson, 1st Lady Mary Owens. Joining them to make up the Board of Directors were William T. (Ted) Runnels, Jerry Williams, James Duncan, Benny Richardson, Leroy Carlock, James Marshall, Vernon Welchen III, Darryl Smith, Charles McKinney, Chester Walker George Vaughn, Claude Carlock, Robert Brim, and Robert Vaden; and

WHEREAS, SAC20’s most important goal was to starting community programs in support of minorities and increase unity which includes Key Coalition, Youth Opportunity Programs, Youth Action Coalition, Summer Youth Employment, Black Youth of the South Side, Laraza, and various neighborhood group and Congress of Racial Equality Core which received national recognition from Washington, DC; and

WHEREAS, the 7 Point Community Beautification Plan was made up of 7 things a community can independently do. “Ghetto or Goldmine the Choice is Yours” was the slogan chosen to call the Black community to action. The 7 points are Point 1, visit your child’s school, Point 2, watch your neighbor’s home or property, Point 3, register to vote, Point 4, pick up trash and paper, Point 5, catch up paint and trim on your house, Point 6, say no to drugs, and Point 7, unite your family in a strong family structure; and

WHEREAS, each one of these 7 points are important components to the foundation of the SAC20 today, just as it was 45 years ago; NOW, THEREFORE,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:

That the Mayor and Council hereby honor Social Actions Committee 20 (SAC20) for 45 years of service; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to William “Ted” Runnels with the appreciation of the Mayor, Council and citizens of Kansas City for the service provided to the community.