Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.

Rev Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (November 29 1908 – April 4 1972), American politician, was the first African American to become a powerful figure in the United States Congress. He was elected as house representative from Harlem in 1945, and became chair of the Labor and Education Committee in 1961. His tenure as commitee chairman saw the passage of important social legislation. His career was ended by a corruption scandal, and he was eventually replaced by Charles Rangel.

Early years

Powell was born in New Haven, Connecticut. His father, Adam Clayton Powell, Sr. was a Baptist minister, and headed the Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York. He was educated at public schools, the City College of New York and Colgate University. He received an MA degree in religious education from Columbia University in 1931.

Related Topics:
New Haven, Connecticut - Baptist - Abyssinian Baptist Church - New York - City College of New York - Colgate University - Columbia University - 1931

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During the Depression years Powell, a handsome and charismatic figure, became a prominent civil rights leader in the Harlem area of Manhattan. He organized mass meetings, rent strikes and public campaigns, forcing companies and utilities, Harlem Hospital and the 1939 World's Fair either to hire or to begin promoting black employees. In 1936 he succeeded his father as pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church. In 1941 he was elected to the New York City Council as the city's first Black council representative with the aid of New York City's use of the Single Transferable Vote.{{ref|NewYork}}

Related Topics:
Depression - Civil rights - Harlem - Manhattan - 1939 - World's Fair - 1936 - 1941 - New York City Council - Single Transferable Vote

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