Benjamin Hooks

Dr. Benjamin Lawson Hooks (b. 1925), is an American civil rights leader. A Baptist minister and practicing attorney, he served as executive director of the NAACP for from 1977 to 1992, and throughout his career has been a vocal campaigner for civil rights in the United States.

Honors and awards

• Dr Hooks was awarded the Spingarn Medal from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, 1986.
• NAACP created the Benjamin L. Hooks Distinguished Service Award, which is awarded to persons for efforts in implementing policies and programs which promote equal opportunity.
• University of Memphis created the Benjamin L. Hooks Institute for Social Change. The Hooks Institute is committed to bringing scholars together to advance the goals of the civil rights movement, to promote human rights and democratic government worldwide, and to honor the lifetime of work of Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks.