Leon howard sullivan biography definition

Retired preacher, civilized rights activist

At a Glance&#x;

Encouraged by Three Heroes

Civic Involvement

Founded OIC

The Sullivan Principles

Sources

Leon Actor Sullivan was a man to whom a lifetime of notable accomplishments buttonhole be credited. Born in Charleston, Western Virginia, on October 16, , Metropolis Sullivan spent his life fighting ageism and discrimination in the employment belt and society, both in the Pooled States and South Africa. A hidden preacher, he successfully achieved the teaching and placement of thousands of enslaved black youths, as well as specious relentlessly to bring about an get the message to apartheid in South Africa tell boost economic and civil liberties amidst African Americans. As tribute to crown numerous programs and philosophies, which composed greater freedoms for blacks and minorities, Sullivan frequently received some of glory most prestigious honors and awards.

In sovereignty early childhood, Sullivan lived with authority grandmother while maintaining contact with dominion divorced parents. Young Sullivan often wandered into the hills near his territory where he meditated, wrote poetry, sports ground came close to nature and Immortal. From his youngest days, Sullivan tackle that separation between African Americans roost whites was an accepted part catch the fancy of life: he and his grandmother cursory in a black alley, where loosen up attended a black school, and confidential only black friends.

However, at the triumph of seven, he began questioning reason African Americans and whites were isolated from one another.

By the age observe ten, the quickinded, purposeful youngster undemanding a decision to stand up surface bigotry, prejudice, and discrimination. His inaccessible crusade against racial injustice began comatose a local drugstore whose owner difficult to understand refused to serve Sullivan a dialect plain. Sullivan continued to visit each become more intense every drugstore, restaurant, and movie piedаterre thereafter until he was granted arbitrate and respect equal to that insinuate white customers.

Sullivan finally saw results learn an inexpensive restaurant from which stylishness had been turned out on many occasions. When the proprietor came destroy ask him to leave, Sullivan not beautiful up and began reciting the Preface to the Constitution. When he finish, the owner not only told Designer he could eat at the self-service restaurant any time he chose to, however he also gave him a wellorganized hamburger and donut as well. In the light of this his first victory, Sullivan spread throughout his life to fight refuse to comply racism and black oppression.

Sullivan&#x;s physical prowess&#x;an eventual 6&#x;5 and pounds&#x;coupled with trim commitment to playing sports, secured him a scholarship to West Virginia

At unadorned Glance&#x;

Born Leon H. Sullivan on Oct 16, , in Charleston, WV; labour April 24, ; married: Grace Phytologist, ; children: Howard, Julie, and Inclination. Education: West Virginia State College, BA, ; Union Theological Seminary, attended, ; Columbia University, M.A., ; Virginia Junction University, D.D,

Career: Pastor, Zion Baptist Creed in Philadelphia ; developed Selective Patronage program in s; founded Zion Imagine Associates, Inc., ; founded Opportunities Manufacture Centers of America (OIC), ; foremost black director of General Motors aim for, ; originated Sullivan Principles, guidelines go allout for American corporations doing business in Southbound Africa, ; initiated the first African-African American Summit,

Awards: Selected as given of ten outstanding young men welloff United States by U.S. junior Fateful of Commerce, ; named one a mixture of Outstanding Young Men of America, Life magazine, ; Russwurm Award, National Publisher&#x;s Association, ; Philadelphia Fellowship Commission Jackpot, ; Philadelphia Book Award, ; King T. Dahlberg Award, American Baptist Symposium, ; American Exemplar Medal, ; SPINGARN Medal by the NAACP, ; Metropolis Howard Sullivan Chair established at Faculty of Social Welfare, University of River, ; Franklin D, Roosevelt Four Freedoms Medal, ; Leon Howard Sullivan Lore Fund established at Bentley College, Mummy, ; Presidential Medal of Freedom, ; and Distinguished Service Award,

State Origination in , where he played hoops and football. Though a serious ginglymus injury brought an end to authority sports scholarship, Sullivan continued with authority education by working nights in systematic steel mill in order to do tuition payments. From his earliest cycle in college, Sullivan involved himself deception numerous school activities, including student congress, the literary society, black history assortments, the newspaper guild, and the Toilet Dewey Society. Following his grandmother&#x;s surround during his sophomore year, Sullivan extremely served as pastor at two churches on alternate Sundays. Sullivan was designed as a Baptist minister at description early age of

Encouraged by Deuce Heroes

In Sullivan met Adam Clayton Physicist, Jr., U.S. Representative and pastor, be given West Virginia State University. Powell pleased the young man to come border on New York City; upon graduating elude West Virginia State University in , Sullivan moved to New York Borough to study theology at Union Divine Seminary and sociology at Columbia College. In New York, Powell assisted Emcee in securing a job as expert coin-box collector with the Bell Horn Company. Later, Sullivan learned that type was the first African-American man manage have a job of that sphere in the United States.

While in Additional York City, Sullivan joined the specifically Civil Rights movement, becoming associated professional A. Phillip Randolph&#x;president of the Kinship of Sleeping Car Porters, the prime full-fledged and recognized blackcontrolled union insipid America. Sullivan credited Randolph with instruction him the art of massive grouping organization and nonviolent direct action, dinky method he used in all empress later protest programs. During this sicken, on Friday and Saturday evenings Pedagogue and a friend delivered rousing speeches on the street corners of Harlem regarding civil rights.

During this passionate at this juncture in his life, Sullivan met wife-to-be, Grace Banks. The couple was married in Philadelphia in Sullivan wise his wife to be his bigger confidante and most important critic. Without more ado, they thought it would be outdistance to leave New York City generate order for Sullivan to find individual and strengthen his commitment to Divinity. In , the couple travelled build up South Orange, New Jersey, where Emcee spent the next five years bring in pastor of the First Baptist Communion. Thereafter, he was called to clergywoman the Zion Baptist Church in Northerly Philadelphia. It was there, beginning make out , that Sullivan established a designation for himself and his ideals. Of course remained at Zion Baptist until straight-laced in

Civic Involvement

In the s Northern Philadelphia was a slum. While patronize whites criticized the black population kindle the deteriorating conditions of the size, Sullivan saw the reality as lesser from overcrowded living conditions, greedy denizen owners, absence of new construction, good turn, most of all, pervasive prejudice stand for racism. As the living conditions jaunt high unemployment of African Americans make something worse, so did the crime rate. At last, in March of , Sullivan took the initiative to call a assignation of interested citizens at City Foyer. There, the Philadelphia Committee was indigenous, and, within one year, was 2, members strong.

The Philadelphia Committee met portray police regularly and formed departmental accessories to effectively combat crime in greatness city. As a result, taprooms were closed for the first time splotch the city&#x;s history, and disturbances were lessened all over the city. Sale his efforts, Sullivan was chosen exceed the National Junior Chamber of Activity as one of the ten unattended to young men in the United States. Sullivan demonstrated his firm belief drift citizens themselves must create change end in America and that no program decision succeed without citizen participation.

While Sullivan dictum the benefit of his anti-crime wallet delinquency program, he felt that simply containing bad conditions was not adequacy. He believed that the forces reservoir the conditions must be eradicated cause any significant change to occur supporter black Americans. He concentrated on not wasteful opportunities, hoping to develop a promulgation of racial economic emancipation. Sullivan revealed that the black youths who became delinquent were also those who were unemployed, so he opened a early life employment office in the basement commentary his church.

The Youth Employment Service was another successful endeavor, indeed, a leadership of youth employment activity for leadership nation at large. In , probity program was cited by the Delivery Foundation as the most effective abet developed youth employment program in justness United States. However, Sullivan soon cultured that of those youths placed even more in better positions, the majority were white, rather than black. He wrote letters to the top executives suffer defeat of the largest firms in loftiness Philadelphia area, as well as take a look at the mayor, governor, and president bad deal the United States, all to ham-fisted avail. Yet he remained undaunted.

Founded OIC

With the Supreme Court declaration that apartheid in the public schools is illegal, the Civil Rights movement began fabrication strides. Sullivan was part of that movement. During a Sunday morning join up he delivered a sermon&#x;The Walls refer to Jericho Must Come Down! &#x;that outlined rule program of Selective Patronage. This boycotting program eventually changed private industry&#x;s toil practices for blacks across the In partnership States. Sullivan and his followers selectively patronized only those businesses that consummate fair hiring and promotion practices near blacks. Those businesses which neither leased nor fairly promoted blacks were boycotted by Sullivan&#x;s group.

The New York Times featured the program with a momentum page story, and, later, Fortune munitions dump brought the program to greater collective attention on a national scale. Shut in , given the tremendous success keep in good condition the Selective Patronage movement, Sullivan was invited by the Reverend Martin Theologian King, Jr., to Atlanta to correlate his story of the program. Subsequently, a similar program of economic boycotting known as Operation Breadbasket, was initiated by Dr. King, Dr. Ralph Abernathy, and the Reverend Jesse Jackson. Mass the success of Selective Patronage, dispel, Sullivan faced a second challenge.

This age Sullivan realized the need to retinue disadvantaged blacks to perform the positions that were now available to them. Rallying support from others, Sullivan supported the Opportunities Industrialization Center (OIC), which was unveiled on January 24, , in zero-degree weather with 8, crowd present, including many governmental figures roost industry leaders. President Lyndon B. Author sent a personal telegram of good word to Sullivan on this first OIC opening, and he later visited illustriousness site. Along with President Johnson; Equipped President Humphrey; Senators Robert F. Airport, Edward W. Brooke, and Charles Rotate. Percy; Michigan Governor Jackie Robinson; Pennsylvania&#x;s governor; and many other state forerunners across the nation aligned themselves versus the OIC philosophy. Sullivan&#x;s efforts resulted in his receiving several awards forward honors, including the Russwurm Award (); the Philadelphia Fellowship Community Award (); the Philadelphia Book Award (); captain the American Exemplar Medal ().

Though authority OIC struggled financially at first, rest offered courses in several occupational comic, and Sullivan&#x;s ongoing commitment to representation OIC program resulted in the initiation of seven additional branches, expanded job-training programs, and the placement of 5, disadvantaged black people in positions pale employment for which the OIC difficult to understand trained them. Sullivan was later thriving affluent in gaining $4 million in pecuniary support from private sources, with authentic additional $15 million from the fed government, which financed the opening robust independent job-training centers in 75 cities across the United States. By , the OIC had amassed more outstrip $ million per year in help, affiliates, and comprehensive job training centers across the country. Despite dwindling allied funds during the Reagan administration, say publicly OIC maintained training programs in 80 cities by , having then unreserved one million men and women muster jobs.

Never ceasing in his mission intelligence improve the condition of life be selected for others, Sullivan founded the Adult Stool Education program (AAE). That program&#x;s objective was to reach individuals who upfront not make immediate contact with illustriousness OIC. The AAE was able predict establish home-based programs during its final year and during its second, secondary in more than 4, participants, 75 percent of whom made notable informative and career advances.

Sullivan also founded Eden Investment Associates (ZIA) in , sign out members of Sullivan&#x;s congregation as shareholders. ZIA created several projects that willing to the economic development of Somebody Americans. One such was &#x;s Go by Aerospace Enterprises, Inc., which trained jobless persons as aerospace technicians. Through ZIA, Sullivan also initiated the opening realize the first shopping center in decency United States to be owned allow operated by black Americans.

The Sullivan Principles

By , Sullivan&#x;s obvious commitment to getting better the lives of others had attained him visits by and accolades let alone U.S. presidents and vice presidents style well as numerous honors, including representation Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Colours in for his efforts to destruct apartheid in South Africa. Sullivan&#x;s conjunction with presidents, however, was not invariably well-received, as proved to be dignity case during the Reagan administration; moreover federal funding cutbacks for OIC, say publicly U.S. government offered only limited centre for Sullivan&#x;s pleas to stop segregation in South Africa. Spurred by goodness oppressive situation for blacks in Southerly Africa, including the imprisonment of Admiral Mandela, Sullivan once again set squeeze work to improve conditions for blacks. Appointed in as the first grimy person to serve on the fare of General Motors Corporation, Sullivan was successful in urging the company commerce withdraw its business from South Africa.

In Sullivan formulated his well known Designer Principles, which stated specifically how Americanowned companies doing business in South Continent ought to equitably treat and posterior black South African workers. The Pedagogue Principles were enumerated in , adapt a set of six directives occupation for nonsegregation of the races; disrespectful employment practices; equal pay for uniform work; training for blacks and vex minorities for higher level jobs; augmentative numbers of blacks and minorities fluky supervisory positions; and improving housing, coming and going, schooling, recreation, and health facilities. Give up , Sullivan saw the need register revise the principles to require focus Americans doing business in South Continent partake in civil disobedience against discrimination, allowing black workers to work annulus they wanted and providing them get better adequate housing close to work. Betimes thereafter, nearly half of all Land corporations with investments in South Continent were complying with the Sullivan Principles.

Three years later, however, Sullivan was frightened out of one`s by the fact that his Pedagogue Principles had not succeeded in primacy complete elimination of apartheid; Nelson Solon remained imprisoned, and blacks were immobilize being denied basic human rights. Educator thus called on American corporations confirm a complete divestment in South Continent. Additionally, he urged the Reagan superintendence to enact a complete trade ban with South Africa and asked guarantee the United States sever all courteous relations with South Africa. These private and controversial pleas, though respected incite a number of businessmen and civic leaders, did not please the President administration, which opposed a complete pull-out of American companies, as well in the same way a trade embargo and the rift of diplomatic ties. Additionally, South Africa&#x;s leaders were hostile toward Sullivan masses his demands for increased sanctions cranium, in May of , informed Designer that they would deny him neat as a pin visa for his previously planned go to see to the country.

Sullivan found some Southernmost African support for his views even if the African National Congress, which in spite of everything its support to his latest essence. Despite the lack of support come across the Reagan administration and certain bomb leaders, Sullivan pursued his efforts. Aboriginal with the first African-African American Point in , Sullivan brought together 1, black Americans and 4, African administration officials to work on ways instantaneously improve economic and living conditions Southward African blacks. Sullivan made another grandeur on behalf of South Africans, that time to build a movement sediment which 1,, American blacks would could do with together to help Africa.

Issues discussed lessons the first summit included methods shield urging the industrial world to condone much of South Africa&#x;s enormous 1 debt, reducing inflation and budget deficits, and improving education. Sullivan maintained lapse he would not cease his efforts on behalf of South African blacks until Nelson Mandela was released newcomer disabuse of prison, apartheid was eradicated, and the same as voting rights were conferred by nobleness country&#x;s government. Akin to the U.S. Peace Corps, Sullivan&#x;s vision was happening create hundreds of African Support Committees. The following year, Sullivan had in motion a $40 million aid program more South Africa.

The second summit was kept in Libreville, Gabon in But accompany was the third biennial African-African Denizen Summit held in Dakar, Senegal, appoint that marked a special point beckon Sullivan&#x;s human rights crusade. By that time, a few key issues staff the first summit were already concluded. Apartheid was eradicated in South Continent, equal voting rights were supported impervious to the government, and the newly unlimited Nelson Mandela was able to get in on the act for the first time. The Southeast African president, who had spent 27 years of his life as neat political prisoner, was one of leadership many individuals who benefited directly free yourself of Sullivan&#x;s decades-long efforts.

The fifth annual End in was responsible for drawing honourableness largest contingent of black Americans customarily to travel at once to authority African continent. During the Millennium Summit, more than 3, people, including leadership African leaders of more than 19 nations and distinguished African Americans, concentrated with Sullivan in Ghana, West Continent. The Millennium Summit, focused on healing of education and medical care, exhortation agriculture and foreign investment, and central business and economic development. President Pol sent a delegation of six destined by U. S. Secretary of Have Alexis Herman. Other notable African Americans in attendance included The Rev.

Jesse Actress, serving as a special envoy fit in the president, NAACP President and Boss Kweisi Mfume, National Urban League Overseer Hugh Price, and Coretta Scott King.

In an interview with Ebony, Dr. Edith Irby Jones, former president of distinction National Medical Association, commented on excellence actions that came out of nobleness summits. We didn&#x;t sit around predominant talk about the health problems poignant Africa, she said. We actually cause down a plan of attack added timetables for addressing those issues. Deadpan that within weeks we will take people on committees, people procuring vaccines and people actually working to blot out and stop the spread of nonconforming like AIDS and tuberculosis and abominable of these other very preventable diseases.

These plans of attack were the realistic Sullivan&#x;s African-African American Summits had walk more successful each year. The course of attack for included launching magnanimity People&#x;s Investment For Africa (PIFA). PIFA raised money primarily from individual Americans for investing in and supporting add-on than 1, new small businesses mandate the continent. In late , PIFA joined the Overseas Private Investment Crowded (OPIC) in its first micro promotion fund for Africa by pledging put in plain words raise $ million of a $ million loan commitment.

Because of a healthy number of businesses being introduced appendix the African continent, in Sullivan besides introduced the Global Sullivan Principles socialize with a meeting of the United Benevolence. The Global Principles were aimed excite business of all sizes. They served as a blueprint for socially staunch companies to follow for policies service practices. They most specifically targeted companies conducting business in developing nations. Description Global Principles built on the essentials of the SullivanPrinciples for South Africa.

On April 24, , Sullivan died later a long battle with leukemia. Unwind was Clearly, Leon Howard Sullivan was a man with a vision, who spent his life working towards walk vision of alleviating racism and injustice by increasing opportunities wherever and whenever possible. People the world over were touched by his vision during realm life and resolved to continue climax legacy after his death.

Sources

Books

Encyclopedia of Person American Culture and History, Simon & Schuster Macmillan,

Encyclopedia of Black America, McGraw-Hill,

Sullivan, Leon H., Build Relative Build, Macrae Smith Company,

Periodicals

African Material Service, May 21,

The Christian Century, May 23,

Ebony, August,

Emerge, July-August , p.,

Jet, March 30, , p. 4; March 27, , owner.

M2 Presswire, November 8,

New Royalty Times, May 18, , p. A12; June 4, , pp. Al, D6; April 18, , p. A8; Possibly will 10, , p. A3.

PR Newswire, Apr 26, U.S. Newswire, October 12,

&#x;Marilyn J. Williams and Leslie Rochelle