Interview with William S. Dotson, January 19, 1979

Interview Summary

Mr. Dotson graduated from Kentucky State College in 1936, moving to Lexington in 1937 where he began a career in the insurance business. He became involved in the Lexington chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1945 upon its establishment. He was elected president of the NAACP, Lexington chapter, in 1946 and served in this capacity until 1961. Mr. Dotson recounts the early issues confronted by the NAACP, the boycotts, support of the organization by both the African American and white communities, and the Lyman Johnson case regarding the integration of the University of Kentucky. He recalls the murder trial of a black youth by a white police officer during 1959-1960, the NAACP involvement in the civil rights movement, and the accomplishments of both the NAACP and the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in Lexington.

Interview Keyword

African Americans African Americans in Lexington Lexington, Kentucky Race relations

Interview LC Subject

African American families African Americans--Civil rights--Kentucky African Americans--Education--Kentucky--Lexington African Americans--Kentucky--Lexington--Economic conditions African Americans--Race identity. African Americans--Religion African Americans. Dotson, William S. Dotson, William S.--Interviews

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Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.