Adam Clayton Powell, Jr
(1908-1972)

Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. was born on November 29, 1908, in New Haven. Connecticut. The Powell family lived a rather comfortable middle-class lifestyle that afforded them the luxuries of life and allowed Adam to develop his intellectual abilities.

In 1926, Adam entered Colgate University, he later studied at Columbia University and graduated in 1932 with a M.A. in religious studies. Five years later his father handed over the pulpit of Abyssinian Baptist Church to him. Like his father, Adam was a dynamic orator and inspirational preacher. Unlike his father, he mixed religion with politics and fired up his flock to actively protest up and down the streets of Harlem.

In 1941, Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. ran for New York City Council. With the backing of his congregation and many community groups, he won the election and was the first African American to do so. In 1944, he became the first Black congressman from the Eastern seaboard since the time of Reconstruction. Adam made sure his presence was felt and his voice was heard throughout the halls of Congress. He fought for an antiÄlynching bill, battled against Dixiecrats, advocated for civil rights, school integration, and supported the War Against Poverty. Powell's congressional career lasted almost three decades.

He personally integrated the House gymnasium and ordered his staff members to frequent the segregated House cafeteria until it was integrated. Thanks to him, Black reporters were accredited to the House press gallery, Black faces appeared among the midshipmen at the Naval Academy, and Black officials served on the U. S. delegation to the United Nations. In the legislative area, Powell sponsored legislation banning poll taxes and outlawing race, religion, and gender biases in job hiring. He tacked on anti-discrimination amendments to practically every appropriations measure before the House.

In 1967, irate congressmen leveled a trumped-up charge of misuse of funds against Powell stripping him of his seniority and power and refused to seat him. The Supreme Court not only vindicated Powell of those charges, but charged racism as the cause of the charges. However, a white-dominated media damaged his reputation. In 1969, he regained his seat and during this last term he protested against the Vietnam War and fought Nixon from cutting subsidies to food stamps.

Powell used his charisma, flamboyant style and intellectual savvy to elevate the rights of African-Americans to the forefront of American society.