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American Council on Race Relations

The American Council on Race Relations, established in 1944 by philanthropists Edwin Embree and Marshall Field, aimed to advocate for justice and equality for Black Americans. Led initially by Charles Pickett, the organization included notable figures like educator and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune among its diverse membership. The council focused on five key strategies: promoting scientific research to combat misconceptions about African Americans, collaborating with agencies to disseminate findings, assisting grassroots movements, creating educational materials, and influencing the media to enhance public understanding of racial issues. Renowned for its organizational capabilities and rational approach, the council played a significant role in fostering dialogue among various racial justice groups. A pivotal moment occurred in 1947 when it facilitated a national conference that led to the formation of the National Association of Intergroup Relations Officials. Throughout the 1950s, the council engaged actively in efforts to challenge segregation laws, particularly in public education, reflecting its commitment to advancing civil rights and social justice.

Full Article

The American Council on Race Relations was founded by philanthropists Edwin Embree and Marshall Field in 1944, with the goal of obtaining justice for Black Americans. Its first president was Charles Pickett of the American Friends Service Committee, supported by other White men of scholarly and religious backgrounds. Many Black Americans were also active in the council, including educator and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. The organization was committed to five strategies for working toward equality: calling for scientific study to dispel misinformation and misunderstanding about Black Americans; working with public and private agencies to spread study results; assisting grassroots organizations in developing organizational skills; developing instructional materials for schools; and urging the popular media to use their influence to educate the general public about race.

The council soon became known for levelheadedness and organizational skill. In 1947, the council was asked by a group of city human relations commissioners to host a national conference in Chicago for leaders of groups working for racial justice, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, and the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). At this conference, a new group, the National Association of Intergroup Relations Officials, was founded. In the 1950s, the American Council on Race Relations worked actively in the Midwest to challenge segregation laws, especially in public schools.


Bibliography

"American Council on Race Relations." Rockefeller Brothers Fund, www.rbf.org/about/our-history/timeline/american-council-race-relations. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.

Berberoglu, Berch. Class and Inequality in the United States. Emerald Publishing Limited, 2024.

Brueggemann, John. Inequality in the United States. Allyn and Bacon, 2012.

Chong, Dennis. Collective Action and the Civil Rights Movement. U of Chicago P, 2014.

Diem, Sarah, and Jeffrey Brooks. “Introduction to the Issue on Segregation, Desegregation, and Integration: From History, to Policy, to Practice.” Teachers College Record, vol. 115, no. 11, 2013, doi:10.1177/016146811311501103. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.

Eagles, Charles W., editor. The Civil Rights Movement in America. UP of Mississippi, 2014.

Embree, Edwin R. "The American Council on Race Relations on JSTOR." The Journal of Negro Education, 1944, p. 562-4, www.jstor.org/stable/2292514. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.

Witherspoon, Dawn P., et al. Family Socialization, Race, and Inequality in the United States. Springer, 2023.

Full Article

The American Council on Race Relations was founded by philanthropists Edwin Embree and Marshall Field in 1944, with the goal of obtaining justice for Black Americans. Its first president was Charles Pickett of the American Friends Service Committee, supported by other White men of scholarly and religious backgrounds. Many Black Americans were also active in the council, including educator and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. The organization was committed to five strategies for working toward equality: calling for scientific study to dispel misinformation and misunderstanding about Black Americans; working with public and private agencies to spread study results; assisting grassroots organizations in developing organizational skills; developing instructional materials for schools; and urging the popular media to use their influence to educate the general public about race.

The council soon became known for levelheadedness and organizational skill. In 1947, the council was asked by a group of city human relations commissioners to host a national conference in Chicago for leaders of groups working for racial justice, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, and the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL). At this conference, a new group, the National Association of Intergroup Relations Officials, was founded. In the 1950s, the American Council on Race Relations worked actively in the Midwest to challenge segregation laws, especially in public schools.


Bibliography

"American Council on Race Relations." Rockefeller Brothers Fund, www.rbf.org/about/our-history/timeline/american-council-race-relations. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.

Berberoglu, Berch. Class and Inequality in the United States. Emerald Publishing Limited, 2024.

Brueggemann, John. Inequality in the United States. Allyn and Bacon, 2012.

Chong, Dennis. Collective Action and the Civil Rights Movement. U of Chicago P, 2014.

Diem, Sarah, and Jeffrey Brooks. “Introduction to the Issue on Segregation, Desegregation, and Integration: From History, to Policy, to Practice.” Teachers College Record, vol. 115, no. 11, 2013, doi:10.1177/016146811311501103. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.

Eagles, Charles W., editor. The Civil Rights Movement in America. UP of Mississippi, 2014.

Embree, Edwin R. "The American Council on Race Relations on JSTOR." The Journal of Negro Education, 1944, p. 562-4, www.jstor.org/stable/2292514. Accessed 14 Jan. 2026.

Witherspoon, Dawn P., et al. Family Socialization, Race, and Inequality in the United States. Springer, 2023.

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