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Andrew Hatcher

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Andrew T. Hatcher in 1962

Andrew Hatcher (1923–1990) was an associate press secretary to President John F. Kennedy and a founder of 100 Black Men of America in 1963.[1]

Life and career

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Born in Princeton, New Jersey,[2] Hatcher graduated from Witherspoon School for Colored Children in 1937 and Princeton High School in 1941. He attended Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts[3] and served three years in the United States Army as a second lieutenant until 1946.[2][4][5] A few years later, he relocated to San Francisco, California, working as a journalist at the San Francisco Sun-Reporter and later as an assistant labor commissioner under Governor of California Pat Brown.[2] From 1950 to 1959, Hatcher worked as a court clerk for Federal Judge Oliver J. Carter.[2][4] In 1950, Hatcher worked with Pierre Salinger as a coordinator on Helen Gahagan Douglas's senatorial campaign against Richard Nixon.[4] Hatcher served under Adlai Stevenson as a campaign organizer during Stevenson's two unsuccessful runs for President of the United States in 1952 and 1956.[2] He worked on the 1958 campaign of Clair Engle.[5]

In 1960 with his close friend Pierre Salinger, he joined Sen. John F. Kennedy’s campaign press staff as a speechwriter. Immediately after his election as President, Kennedy named both men to his White House staff, with Salinger as White House Press Secretary, and Hatcher as Assistant White House Press Secretary.[3] This made Hatcher the highest ranking black person to serve in the White House.[6] After Kennedy was assassinated, Hatcher resigned from the Johnson administration to support Salinger's successful senatorial campaign in California.[6][7]

In 1972, Hatcher was working on the staff of Senator Henry M. Jackson.[7] Hatcher also later worked as vice-president of an advertising agency.[8]

Hatcher was married to Ruth Avery, with whom he had seven children.[5] His young son Avery was a student in the home school which Jacqueline Kennedy established for her daughter Caroline Kennedy and children of White House staffers.[9]

Hatcher died in 1990.

References

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  1. ^ Jules, Jason; Marsh, Graham (2021). Black Ivy. London, UK: Reel Art Press. p. 190. ISBN 978-1-909526-82-2.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Inside--Andy Hatcher. Politics first and last love". The Afro American. April 4, 1964. p. 7. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Tampa Urban League To Hear Andrew Hatcher, Aide To JFK". St. Petersburg Times. April 29, 1963. p. 39. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Spivak, Alvin (November 12, 1960). "Press Aides Californians". The Press-Courier. p. 12. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Irwin, Don (November 12, 1960). "The New Men On The Kennedy Team". The Montreal Gazette. p. 18. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Day, Dan (April 4, 1964). "Hatcher shifts energies but not his loyalty from Johnson administration". The Afro American. p. 7. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Anderson, Jack (July 16, 1972). "Hubert's 'Last Hurrah' Hit Home At His Miami Waterloo". The Robesonian. p. 3. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  8. ^ "Hatcher to Speak At CFJC Mar. 11". Ocala Star-Banner. March 5, 1971. p. 26. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  9. ^ C-SPAN, First Ladies: Influence & Image, Jacqueline Kennedy, 2013 November 11.
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