This book acknowledges and honors the Courageous Eight, the Steering Committee of The Dallas County Voters League who were local leaders that made Dallas County the center of the National Black Voter Registration Movement of 1965. The Courageous Eight forced the government to respect their legal and constitutional right of access to the ballot and respect of their rights as first class citizens. They were the “ground crew” that led to the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and the election of the first Black Citizens to public office in Selma, Dallas County, Alabama since reconstruction.
 
This book fills the missing link, the missing chapter of their historical role in the success of that movement. It recaptures their character, strategies, persistency, courage, bravery, and determination that ended government sponsored racial voter registration in 1965. It is a reminder of their goal for the ballot was to use the vote in people and resources to end the systemic poverty of people in traditionally undeserved communities, especially in poor black neighborhoods.
 
This book is a reminder of lingering poverty that still exists today and provides some thought provoking ideas and steps to make some systemic changes in local government to root out the foundation and enablers of inequity. 
 
And finally, this book shows honor and appreciation for the efforts and contributions of Black War Veterans of the Dallas County Voters League