BLACK IN TIME: A Moment In OUR History

Hugh Gaddy · Tuesday, January 12th 2010 at 9:06PM · 121 views

Robert C. Weaver

On January 13, 1964, Dr Robert C. Weaver Became The First Black American In History To Serve In A Presidential Cabinet When He Was Appointed By President Lyndon B. Johnson To Head The Newly Created Department Of Housing And Urban Development (HUD). As Director Of HUD Weaver Oversaw 9,000 Employees And Approximately $4.5 Billion In Annual Expenditures. Robert Weaver Earned A Ph.D In Economics From Harvard University And Was A Former College Professor. Before Becoming HUD Secretary, He Served As Administrator Of Housing And Home Finance In The Kennedy Administration - The Highest Federal Position Held By A Black American Up To That Time. He Was Also A Former NAACP Board Chairman And Chairman Of The National Committee Against Discrimination In Housing. He Was Awarded The NAACP's Spingarn Medal In 1962, For His Leadership On Housing Issues. After Leaving His Cabinet Post, Weaver Became President Of Baruch College In 1969. The Following Year He Became A Professor Of Urban Affairs At Hunter College In New York. He Retired From That Position In 1978. Weaver Died July 17, 1997, At Age 89. In 2000, The HUD Headquarters Building He Had Dedicated In 1968 Was Renamed The Robert C. Weaver Federal Building, In His Honor. "In Order For Black History To Live, We Must Continue To Breathe Life Into It." - Hubert Gaddy, Jr.

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BLACK IN TIME: A Moment In OUR History

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