Benjamin Hooks papers

The collection documents Hooks time as the first African American commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from 1972 to 1978. Hooks was interested in addressing the lack of minority ownership in the television and radio industry, as well as minority employment in the broadcasting industry. He was also interested in breaking down stereotypical depictions of Blacks by the media. The bulk of the collection contains the correspondence, reports, and dockets generated during his time as Commissioner with the FCC. The correspondence from the FCC from 1970-1976 makes up a majority of the Benjamin Hooks papers. Other correspondence includes general correspondence, correspondence on Equal Opprotunity Employment and affirmative action at the FCC, and correspondence congratulating Hooks on his appointment as executive director of the NAACP. The publications housed in the Hooks papers include articles written by Hooks and other individuals, reports and dockerts from the FCC, hearings from the Congressional Subcommittee on Communications, magazine articles, huides, newsletters, newspaper clippings, and brochures. The speeches in the collection includes speeches given by Hooks as well as his colleagues throughout the 1970s. The few oversized items in the collection include the sign that hung near Hooks' door while serving as FCC commissioner, a photographic portrait of an unidentifed woman, and a full copy of an official report from the FCC.