Resources

Explore the links below to see videos, newspaper clippings, posters, reports, and archival materials we collected during this project. If you are interested in conducting further research on ACORN, we also recommend contacting the Wisconsin Historical Society, which holds an extensive collection of ACORN records. You can also see a collection of oral histories by Gary Delgado by clicking here.

204 Archival Objects

ACORN Members Handbook, 1985

ACORN membership flyer

1994 National Convention program

Program for an event on June 21, 2006 celebrating ACORN’s 24th anniversary

Pamphlet with a timeline of major ACORN wins from 1970-2002

Flyer for ACORN’s 35th Anniversary event

Photograph of an ACORN membership application.

Photograph of an ACORN action from the Arkansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in Little Rock, Arkansas

Framed photograph from the Arkansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in Little Rock, Arkansas, featuring a little girl holding up a sign that reads, “ACORN Fights for: Living Wage”

Poster hanging on the wall at the Arkansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in Little Rock, Arkansas. It’s cut in the shape of the state of Arkansas and reads “Arkansas Needs Living Wage”.

Campaign poster for Gloria Wilson’s City Director run, hanging on the wall at the Arkansas Community Organization (ACO) office in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Poster hanging on the wall at the Arksansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in Little Rock, Arkansas that reads, “Arkansas Renters United”.

ACORN poster hanging on the wall at the Arksansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in LIttle Rock, Arkansas that reads, “ACORN Make The Minimum Wage A Living Wage”.

Photograph of posters covering the walls at the Arksansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in LIttle Rock, Arkansas

Sereies of photographs of ACORN actions hanging on the wall at the Arksansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Photographs covering the wall at the Arksansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Photograph from the Arksansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in Little Rock, Arkansas, featuring two women holding up an ACORN flag and a poster that reads, “Health Care For America Now!”

Photograph from the Arksansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in Little Rock, Arkansas, featuring an ACORN action where a group of kids are holding up a banner that reads, “ARKANSAS ACORN”.

Photograph of a 2010 Op-Ed in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette in support of ACORN amidst right-wing attacks.

Photograph of an Arkansas Times article about the founding of successor organization Arkansas Cummunity Organizations (ACO) after the dissolution of ACORN.

Op-Ed by Pine Bluff ACO leader Maxine Nelson in support of legislation to address the financial crisis, hanging on the wall at the Arkansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Photograph of an ACORN action hanging on the wall of the Arksansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Photographs covering the wall at the Arksansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Photograph from the Arksansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Photograph from the Arkansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in Little Rock, Arkansas. Neil Sealy on the far right.

Photograph of an ACORN action, from the Arkansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Photograph of an ACORN Arkansas poster advertising an “Immigrant Rights Committee Meeting”.

Photograph of a poster advertising ACORN.

Photograph from the Arksansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in Little Rock, Arkansas, featuring Little Rock organizer Mike Price, who was active from 2007-2011.

Anna Poe-Kest (middle) and two other kids at the 1992 ACORN convention in NYC.

Anna Poe-Kest and Ryan Kelleher (both 11 years old) marching with Chicago’s Grassroots Collaborative, of which SEIU Local 880 and Chicago ACORN were founding members, at the March to Expand KidCare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program in Illinois.

Anna Poe-Kest and Ryan Kelleher (both 11 years old) marching with Chicago’s Grassroots Collaborative, of which SEIU Local 880 and Chicago ACORN were founding members, at the March to Expand KidCare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program in Illinois.

Anna Poe-Kest and Ryan Kelleher (both 11 years old), alonside Steve Kest, marching with Chicago’s Grassroots Collaborative, of which SEIU Local 880 and Chicago ACORN were founding members, at the March to Expand KidCare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program in Illinois.

Anna Poe-Kest and Ryan Kelleher (both 11 years old) marching with Chicago’s Grassroots Collaborative, of which SEIU Local 880 and Chicago ACORN were founding members, at the March to Expand KidCare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program in Illinois.

Jessie Streich-Kest, Ryan Talbott-Kelleher, and Anna Poe-Kest play in the swings at ACORN Year End mtg, 1992

Jake Streich-Kest, Jessie Streich-Kest, Aileen Talbott-Kelleher, Ryan Talbott-Kelleher play at ACORN Year End mtg, 1992

Ryan Talbott-Kelleher, Mark Pollett, Jessie Streich-Kest, Jake Streich-Kest play at ACORN Year End mtg, 1992

Mark Pollett, Ryan Talbott-Kelleher, Jessie Streich-Kest play at ACORN Year End mtg, 1992

Jessie Streich-Kest, Aileen Talbott-Kelleher, Ryan Talbott-Kelleher, and Anna Poe-Kest play at ACORN Year End mtg, 1992

Newspaper clipping from The Detroit Free Press featuring Keith Kelleher

Photographs featuring ACORN member/leader Gloria Smith from the Arkansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in Little Rock, Arkansas

Page from Arkansas Community Organizations’ (ACO) 2017 Annual Women’s & Men’s Community Service Awards Ceremony featuring honoree Gloria Smith

Campaign poster for Irene Holcomb’s run for Ward #1 Alderman in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Poster for Irene Holcomb’s run for Ward #1 Alderman in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Photograph of newspaper clippings about Irene Holcomb’s win as Pine Bluff’s First Ward Alderman.

Newspaper clipping from the Pine Bluff Commericial on April 3, 1994 featuring Irene Holcomb and two young men, Donald and Brian Marks, who, according to the caption, are showing the personzliaed brick bought by the Third Avenue Neighborhood Group.

Photograph of an article from the Pine Bluff Commerical about Irene Holcomb’s win as Pine Bluff’s First Ward Alderman.

Photograph of a newspaper clipping from February 1988 with side-by-side articles: “Holcomb runs for council” and “ACORN tries to bring a corparte pulloter to justice”.

Newspaper clippings from an article in the Pine Bluff Commerical about two candidates for the 1st ward city council seat, Irene Holcomb and Don T. Holden.

Newspaper clippings from the Pine Bluff Commercial on March 18,1988, one a letter from the paper’s editor in support of Irene Holcomb candidacy for First Ward Alderman and the other a letter from Irene Holcomb to the city as “proud candidate”.

Clipping from a February 1988 ACORN publication featuring a photograph of protestors, including Irene Holcomb.

Photograph of an article from the Pine Bluff Commerical on August 4,1987, in which Irene Holcomb––as a representative of West Side ACORN members––is quoted.

Photograph of a newspaper article titled, “Democrats choose Atlanta delegates for ’88 convention,” citing Irene Holcomb of Pine Bluff as an alternate in the fourth district for Jesse Jackson.

Photograph of a newspaper article titled, “Vote on sewer rate in Pine Bluff raises questions of racism,” in which Alderman Irene Holcomb is quoted.

Photogprah of a newspaper political advertisement on Novemeber 5, 1996 for Irene Holcomb’s re-election camapgin for First Ward Alderman.

Photograph of a newspaper clipping from the Pine Bluff Commericial about Alderwoman Irene Holcomb and Alderman Levert Blunt’s return to city council.

Photograph of an article from the Pine Bluff Commerical on October 24, 1996 announcing ACORN’s candidate endorsements, including Irene Holcomb for 1st Ward Alderwoman.

A printout of a Pine Bluff Commerical article from Feburary 22, 2018 announcing Irene Holcomb’s appointment as “Councilwoman Emerita”. This printout was photographed hanging up at the Arkansas Community Organizations (ACO) office in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Campaign poster for Donna Massey’s run for District 6 Justice of the Peace.

Front page article about ACORN from October 24, 1982 in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Political pins, including ACORN pins.

Pittsburgh ACORN YE/YB Report, January 1983.

Jeff Elmer’s placement letter, dated June 5, 1979, inviting him to serve as a VISTA Volunteer at Iowa ACORN in Des Moines, Iowa.

January 1981 Northeast Regional Staff Meeting Philadelphia Report

Two pages from the ACORN Inquirer

“Davenport Democrats Endorse ACORN People’s Platform,” October 1979

“23rd Psalm (1982)” from the Pittsburgh Reagan Ranch on October 23-31, 1982.

Copy of ACORN News from DC ACORN, June 1983, Volume 1, Number 1.

Page from an article in the Philadelphia Journal titled, “Angry Riders Want Results,” in which an ACORN member is quoted.

Newspaper clipping of an article about six ACORN members who were arrested at a squatter protest.

Show poster for a benefit concernt for ACORN in Pittsburgh, PA.

Poster advertising an ACORN neighbhorhood meeting.

Copy of “City Limits” publication from October 1985 with a feature about New York ACORN’s suqatting campaign.

Photograph of women demonstrating for “squatters rights”.

Poster advertising an ACORN housing rights rally.

Page from an article about ACORN protestors crowding the corridor in front of Philadelphia Housing Director Tom Massaro’s office to demand the start of a free housing program.

Copy of Pennsylvania ACORN News from May 1980.

Event poster for a gospel concert and dinner fundraiser for Pittsburgh ACORN.

Program for a Remeber in November Coaltion event at “Pittsburgh’s Reagan Ranch”.