The Honorable William Lacy Clay Sr.

U.S. Representative of Missouri (January 3, 1969-January 3, 2001)

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, William (Bill) Lacy Clay Sr. grew up facing racial discrimination and inequity. In this interview he describes the tenement houses and segregated playgrounds in his neighborhood. Clay discusses his early mentors and how their work to promote civil rights in St. Louis led to his own activism including organizing and participating in sit-ins and marches. His role in the movement precipitated his interest in politics when he realized the potential of making laws to end racial bias. Clay successfully ran for an alderman position in St. Louis—his five years in local politics and his work to integrate labor unions created a powerful base which helped him win election to the U.S. House in 1968.

A founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), Clay provides insight on the early days of the CBC and its mission to form a collective legislative voice for Black Americans. He also recalls how the CBC boycotted President Richard M. Nixon’s State of the Union Address in 1971, the organization’s outreach efforts in the Black community, and how members of the CBC worked to end apartheid in South Africa. Clay worked closely with many House colleagues, but he describes the special bond he shared with Congressmen Gus Hawkins of California and Lou Stokes of Ohio. Clay’s spot on the Education and Labor Committee—one he held for each of his 16 terms and initially had to fight to secure—provided a potent vehicle to draft legislation to assist his district and to improve the plight of Black Americans.