From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

Raoul Cunningham, born in Louisville, fought to bring down racial barriers in public accommodations and housing. When he was 14 years old, he was a member of the NAACP Youth Chapter, assisting with voter registration and participating in picketing segregated establishments in Louisville. He later organized a Young Democrats chapter when he was a student at Howard University.

Cunningham was president of the D.C. Federation of College Young Democrats and vice president of the Young Democrats Club of America. He was also the state coordinator for the NAACP.

In 2006, Cunningham received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Award, given each year in Louisville.

For more see the Raoul Cunningham interview at KET; S. Sheldonstaff, "Activist Raoul Cunningham honored," Courier-Journal, 1/13/2006, News section, p. O3B; and M. Starks, "Raoul Cunningham" in Who's Who in Black Louisville, 3rd. ed., p. 63.