Blakey founded his first business, a janitorial service, in 1956 and became active in several social organizations. He became the first African American senator of Junior Chamber International and one of the first African American presidents of a local Kiwanis chapter. /3
When the NAACP and Gov. Archie Gubbrud asked him to work on civil rights issues, Blakey used his connections in those organizations to fight for change. Thanks to his efforts, South Dakota became the 38th and final state needed to approve the 24th Amendment, eliminating the poll tax. /end
Side note: The civil rights movement in South Dakota was intertwined with the struggle for Native American rights. Native Americans continue to suffer discrimination and injustice that is manifested in education, employment, public health and other spheres.
Isn’t that Kristi Noem’s state?
And before her Janklow. Long history of anti native policy.