The Black Economic Development Conference

The Black Economic Development Conference was organized by African-American Clergy and businesspeople, and included a speech by the American Civil Rights Leader, James Forman, in which he called for reparations to African Americans for slavery. Forman argued that white churches and synagogues should pay $500 million to support black companies and institutions. The conference adopted 'The Black Manifesto', although initial support was later withdrawn from organizations, such as the NAACP.