BEDFORD-STUYVESANT YOUTH IN ACTION COMMUNITY CCRPORATION
Lic INFORMATION OFFICE

PUBL
POS SPURTON STREET
BROOKLYN, NeW YORK 11216 February 13, 1968

GONTACT:. William Merchan FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SIE Gg

789-6161 ips

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BEDFORD-STUYVESANT COALITION COMMETTER

"J am now calling for a coalition of all leadership groups to

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look into the question of a Community College and ©
problems that confront the community, including Bedford-Stuyvesant
Youth In Action, Bedford-Stuyvesant Restoration Carporation, Central
Brocklya Coordinating Council, Brooklyn CORE, the NAACP, the Urban

League, the Ad Hoc Conmittee.for Higher Education in Central Brooklyn

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and any other bona fide groups whose representatives are with us to-
day.'' The above speaker was Walter C. Pinkston, moderator for

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Saturdey's Mass Community meeting held at Stephen Decatur J.H.S., 272

McDonough Street. In response to
"Coalition on Educational Opportunities and Services" was born.
he "Coalition" was the highlight of the 'Mass

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Community Meeting" on February 10, 1958, called by Bedford-Stuyvesant

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Youth In Action, the five (5) Neighborhood Boards, the Central Brooklyn

Coordinating Council and the Ad Hoc Committee for Higher Education in
Central Brooklyn.
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The meeting offered a platform for a wide cro ection of the

Brooklyn community concerned about the many unanswered questions per-

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taining to the proposed "experimental" Community College in Central

Brooklyn. Among those present were Julius C.C. Edelstein and


Joseph Shanker, etre denen the City University system. Also local
political leaders, including Assemblywoman Shirley Chisholm and
Senator William Thompson and cal eeaarint Emanuel Celler. Also
observed in the audience were Horace L. Morancie, Director of Models
Cities for Central Brooklyn; Mrs. Almira Coursey of the local school
system; Judge Thomas R. Jones, Chairman of the Board for Restoration
Corporation; Mrs. Lucille Rose, of YIA; Mrs. Connie McQueen of Central
Brooklyn Coordinating Council; Lionel Payne of Central Brooklyn
Coordinating Council.

The questions addressed to Messers Edelstein and Shanker by
the community people in attendance revolved around at least five (5)
crucial issues concerning the Community College. They were:

1. Would the Community College be in Bedford-Stuyvesant?

2. Would the community have a voice in planning the
curriculum and in the selection of faculty?

3. Would the community be informed about the money
spent for the College "before" it is spent?

4. What did the term "experimental" mean in this
particular instance?

5. Would the College be a two (2) year, four (4) year
or six (6) year institution?
It became apparent after a time that Mr. Edelstein and

Mr. Shanker were unable to answer the questions asked of them from
the floor by the community persons present. This development prompted
Waldaba Stewart, YIA's Associate Director of Penerentns) on remark
that "Since it is apparent that the representatives (of the Board of
Higher Education) are not sufficiently informed to answer our questions,
can we, during this meeting today, redirect our energies towards

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forming a group that can begin planning for a Community College to
suit the needs’ of this community."
The "Coalition of Educational Opportunities and Services" will
meet on Saturday, February 17th, at 10:00 A.M., at the YMCA, 1121
Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn. The group plans to find the answers to the
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questions that the representatives of the Board could not answer to

the satisfaction of the community - also to set up an Advisory Board

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to inform the Board of Higher Education of just what the needs of this

community are.

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