New York State Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission Executive Director's Files

Unarranged.

The New York State Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission was established by Laws of 1985, Ch. 811, making New York the first, and ultimately the only state in the nation to create a full-time, permanent commission commemorating King. The commission was created to develop, promote, coordinate, and review plans and activities statewide for the annual commemoration and celebration of the birthday of Dr. King. In 1986, the commission, as part of its mission of addressing issues of prejudice and discrimination, and providing systematic training and education in methods of nonviolent social change, proposed the creation of an institute for nonviolence. Legislation creating the New York State Martin Luther King Jr. Institute for Nonviolence, a public-benefit not for profit corporation was signed into law by Governor Mario Cuomo in 1988.

This series consists of correspondence, memorandums, reports, and related records documenting the work of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Institute for Nonviolence in celebrating the life of Dr. King and promoting the use of Kingian Nonviolence. Additional records of the commission and institute include training publications, video tapes of conferences and events, annual report videos, and meeting minutes.

This series was transferred to the State Archives by the Division of the Budget after the closing of the commission in 1996.

Restricted in part. State Archives staff will review records and disclose information pursuant to the Freedom of Information Law and Personal Privacy Protection Law.