Adam Clayton Powell, Sr, was a Harlem Renaissance's activist, who was born in 1865. His parents, Anthony and Sally Dunning Powell, were slaves. Before his parents got together, the mother became pregnant by her owner which provoked Powell to get light skin(3) . He became a prominent churchmen, and built one church in 138th St in Harlem (1). Srving churches, such as St. Paul in Philadelphia, helped him create more religious values, and better religious skills. He went to Virginia Union University to study law and politics. He graduated in 1892(1). he also studied in the Yale University School of Divinity(3). in 1908, he was named pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist church in New York City(1).
He became a respected preacher, and many people started to follow him right away. He advocated for the poor, and for better jobs during the Depression. He also advocated for racism.
He built one of the 'first community recreation centers in Harlem'(1). Powell contributed in a big part to the Harlem Renaissance Era, by giving birth to churches, and many beliefs of freedom:"Soon Powell came to see Harlem as 'the symbol o0f liberty'"(3).
He founded the National Urban League, and he formed part of the Silent Protest Parade in 1917 (2). This parade intended that people should protest in silent, they were protesting due to the masacres and lynching against African-Americans in th 1917, in Illinois and Texas (2). He also started the 'gorpel bombardment', which intended to attack 'pimps, prostitutes, and gamblers, taht engaged in criminal mischief'(3). This contributed to call the attention of the media and got him to appeared in the newspapers (3).Reverend Powell was a proponent of racial pride and believed in Education and hard work(2). Powell had a son whom he named Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. This kid became the first African-American to hold office in Congress representing the state of New York(2).
Powell dies in 1953, leaving behind many legacies, such as his church.
Reference
(1) http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/1751/spiritual_charisma_Adam_clayton_powell.html
(2) http://www.si.umich.edu/CHICO/Harlem/text/acpowell.html
(3) http://www.vernonjohns.org/tcal001/vjbscgsp.html
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2 comments:
Interesting article Luisa. I had never heard of the "gorpel bombardment" before but it is yet another piece of history that I am now interested in looking up.
Mr. Powell, was a renaissance in himself. Back then, the most influential people in black communities were pastors. They were who people went to for advice and leadership. He was a great man and ended up fathering and raising another brilliant man. He gets overlooked often, so reading your post was refreshing. He's a very important part of black history and his work in the harlem communty is still having a positive effect on today's generation.
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