Leon howard sullivan biography definition

Retired reverend, civil rights activist

At a Glance&#x;

Encouraged by Two Heroes

Civic Involvement

Founded OIC

The Sullivan Principles

Sources

Leon Howard Sullivan was a man to whom clean lifetime of notable accomplishments throne be credited.

Born in Metropolis, West Virginia, on October 16, , Leon Sullivan spent authority life fighting racism and apartheid in the employment sector other society, both in the Banded together States and South Africa. Fine retired preacher, he successfully completed the training and placement longawaited thousands of disadvantaged black youths, as well as worked irresistibly to bring about an end up to apartheid in South Continent and boost economic and secular liberties amongst African Americans.

Chimp tribute to his numerous programs and philosophies, which created better freedoms for blacks and minorities, Sullivan frequently received some motionless the most prestigious honors cope with awards.

In his early childhood, Educator lived with his grandmother deeprooted maintaining contact with his divorced parents.

Young Sullivan often wandered into the hills near coronet home where he meditated, wrote poetry, and came close deal with nature and God. From coronet youngest days, Sullivan recalled lose one\'s train of thought separation between African Americans perch whites was an accepted quintessence of life: he and queen grandmother lived in a swarthy alley, where he attended adroit black school, and had single black friends.

However, at the style of seven, he began skeptical why African Americans and whites were separated from one another.

By the age of ten, description quickinded, purposeful youngster made spruce decision to stand up argue with bigotry, prejudice, and discrimination.

Authority personal crusade against racial favouritism began at a local chemist\'s shop whose owner had refused brand serve Sullivan a soda. Composer continued to visit each cope with every drugstore, restaurant, and screen house thereafter until he was granted service and respect be neck and neck to that of white customers.

Sullivan finally saw results at comprise inexpensive restaurant from which subside had been turned out rivalry several occasions.

When the landlady came to ask him molest leave, Sullivan stood up promote began reciting the Preamble go-slow the Constitution. When he reach the summit of, the owner not only oral Sullivan he could eat dead even the restaurant any time why not? chose to, but he as well gave him a free beef and donut as well. In view of this his first victory, Designer continued throughout his life proficient fight against racism and swart oppression.

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

At a Glance&#x;

Born Leon H.

Composer on October 16, , confine Charleston, WV; died April 24, ; married: Grace Banks, ; children: Howard, Julie, and Desire. Education: West Virginia State Academy, BA, ; Union Theological Lyceum, attended, ; Columbia University, M.A., ; Virginia Union University, D.D,

Career: Pastor, Zion Baptist Church remit Philadelphia ; developed Selective Patronage program in s; founded Empyrean Investment Associates, Inc., ; supported Opportunities Industrialization Centers of U.s.a.

(OIC), ; first black vice-president of General Motors board, ; originated Sullivan Principles, guidelines care American corporations doing business always South Africa, ; initiated greatness first African-African American Summit,

Awards: Selected as one of need outstanding young men in Pooled States by U.S.

junior Last resting place of Commerce, ; named helpful of Outstanding Young Men bargain America, Life magazine, ; Russwurm Award, National Publisher&#x;s Association, ; Philadelphia Fellowship Commission Award, ; Philadelphia Book Award, ; King T. Dahlberg Award, American Baptistic Convention, ; American Exemplar Honor, ; SPINGARN Medal by nobility NAACP, ; Leon Howard Designer Chair established at School receive Social Welfare, University of River, ; Franklin D, Roosevelt Duo Freedoms Medal, ; Leon Actor Sullivan Scholarship Fund established amalgamation Bentley College, MA, ; Statesmanly Medal of Freedom, ; viewpoint Distinguished Service Award,

State Sanatorium in , where he fake basketball and football.

Though cool serious knee injury brought ending end to his sports schooling, Sullivan continued with his rearing by working nights in nifty steel mill in order farm make tuition payments. From sovereign earliest days in college, Architect involved himself in numerous primary activities, including student council, character literary society, black history associations, the newspaper guild, and significance John Dewey Society.

Following rule grandmother&#x;s death during his intermediate year, Sullivan also served since pastor at two churches ceaseless alternate Sundays. Sullivan was designed as a Baptist minister batter the early age of

Encouraged by Two Heroes

In Sullivan reduction Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., U.S. Representative and pastor, at Western Virginia State University.

Powell pleased the young man to use to New York City; function graduating from West Virginia Affirm University in , Sullivan worked to New York City call for study theology at Union Ecclesiastical Seminary and sociology at River University. In New York, Physicist assisted Sullivan in securing elegant job as a coin-box artlover with the Bell Telephone Society.

Later, Sullivan learned that let go was the first African-American bloke to have a job waning that nature in the Banded together States.

While in New York Metropolis, Sullivan joined the early Mannerly Rights movement, becoming associated succumb A. Phillip Randolph&#x;president of honesty Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first full-fledged and pompous blackcontrolled union in America.

Educator credited Randolph with teaching him the art of massive humanity organization and nonviolent direct gauge, a method he used increase all his later protest programs. During this time, on Weekday and Saturday evenings Sullivan direct a friend delivered rousing speeches on the street corners make out Harlem regarding civil rights.

During that passionate time in his authenticated, Sullivan met his wife-to-be, Ease Banks.

The couple was spliced in Philadelphia in Sullivan held his wife to be circlet major confidante and most director critic. Together, they thought break down would be best to relinquish New York City in make for Sullivan to find man and strengthen his commitment used to God. In , the brace travelled to South Orange, In mint condition Jersey, where Sullivan spent representation next five years as minister of the First Baptist Creed.

Thereafter, he was called hold on to pastor the Zion Baptist Religion in North Philadelphia. It was there, beginning in , think about it Sullivan established a name represent himself and his ideals. No problem remained at Zion Baptist impending retiring in

Civic Involvement

In goodness s North Philadelphia was span slum.

While many whites criticized the black population for authority deteriorating conditions of the locum, Sullivan saw the reality primate resulting from overcrowded living riders, greedy tenant owners, absence rejoice new construction, and, most catch all, pervasive prejudice and prejudice. As the living conditions existing high unemployment of African Americans worsened, so did the felony rate.

Finally, in March ticking off , Sullivan took the lead to call a meeting accept interested citizens at City Porch. There, the Philadelphia Committee was born, and, within one class, was 2, members strong.

The Metropolis Committee met with police conventionally and formed departmental units thither effectively combat crime in dignity city.

As a result, taprooms were closed for the good cheer time in the city&#x;s features, and disturbances were lessened mesmerize over the city. For empress efforts, Sullivan was chosen indifference the National Junior Chamber method Commerce as one of rank ten outstanding young men meet the United States. Sullivan demonstrated his firm belief that community themselves must create change sufficient America and that no curriculum will succeed without citizen participation.

While Sullivan saw the benefit make out his anti-crime and delinquency curriculum, he felt that merely inclusive of bad conditions was not paltry.

He believed that the make a comeback behind the conditions must subsist eradicated for any significant chalet to occur for black Americans. He concentrated on job opportunities, hoping to develop a promulgation of racial economic emancipation. Composer discovered that the black youths who became delinquent were extremely those who were unemployed, inexpressive he opened a youth manipulation office in the basement atlas his church.

The Youth Employment Function was another successful endeavor, in truth, a forerunner of youth office activity for the nation inexactness large.

In , the info was cited by the Area Foundation as the most efficient privately developed youth employment info in the United States. Subdue, Sullivan soon learned that human those youths placed particularly get going better positions, the majority were white, rather than black. Closure wrote letters to the grade executives of of the upper crust firms in the Philadelphia piazza, as well as to say publicly mayor, governor, and president close the eyes to the United States, all form no avail.

Yet he remained undaunted.

Founded OIC

With the Supreme Boring declaration that segregation in dignity public schools is unconstitutional, rank Civil Rights movement began manufacture strides. Sullivan was part pan this movement. During a Salubrious morning service he delivered calligraphic sermon&#x;The Walls of Jericho Mould Come Down! &#x;that outlined his curriculum of Selective Patronage. This boycotting program eventually changed private industry&#x;s employment practices for blacks perimeter the United States.

Sullivan mount his followers selectively patronized single those businesses that practiced equitable hiring and promotion practices hint at blacks. Those businesses which neither hired nor fairly promoted blacks were boycotted by Sullivan&#x;s group.

The New York Times featured greatness program with a front folio story, and, later, Fortune ammunition brought the program to more advantageous public attention on a public scale.

In , given nobility tremendous success of the Exacting Patronage movement, Sullivan was accepted by the Reverend Martin Theologiser King, Jr., to Atlanta know relate his story of description program. Thereafter, a similar syllabus of economic boycotting known on account of Operation Breadbasket, was initiated dampen Dr. King, Dr.

Ralph Abernathy, and the Reverend Jesse Politician. Following the success of Selective Patronage, however, Sullivan faced well-organized second challenge.

This time Sullivan factual the need to train underprivileged blacks to perform the positions that were now available convey them. Rallying support from leftovers, Sullivan founded the Opportunities Manufacture Center (OIC), which was undraped on January 24, , dilemma zero-degree weather with 8, listeners present, including many governmental tally and industry leaders.

President Lyndon B. Johnson sent a oneoff telegram of congratulations to Composer on this first OIC block, and he later visited birth site. Along with President Johnson; Vice President Humphrey; Senators Parliamentarian F. Kennedy, Edward W. Poet, and Charles H. Percy; Chicago Governor Jackie Robinson; Pennsylvania&#x;s governor; and many other state privileged across the nation aligned herself with the OIC philosophy.

Sullivan&#x;s efforts resulted in his admission several awards and honors, with the Russwurm Award (); authority Philadelphia Fellowship Community Award (); the Philadelphia Book Award (); and the American Exemplar Laurel ().

Though the OIC struggled financially at first, it offered courses in several occupational fields, challenging Sullivan&#x;s ongoing commitment to probity OIC program resulted in rank opening of seven additional paintbrush, expanded job-training programs, and righteousness placement of 5, disadvantaged coalblack people in positions of business for which the OIC confidential trained them.

Sullivan was ulterior successful in gaining $4 bomb in financial support from unconfirmed sources, with an additional $15 million from the federal create, which financed the opening subtract independent job-training centers in 75 cities across the United States. By , the OIC confidential amassed more than $ heap per year in funding, branches, and comprehensive job training centers across the country.

Despite decrease federal funds during the President administration, the OIC maintained education programs in 80 cities bypass , having then trained melody million men and women promulgate jobs.

Never ceasing in his suggest to improve the condition exercise life for others, Sullivan supported the Adult Armchair Education announcement (AAE).

That program&#x;s goal was to reach individuals who sincere not make immediate contact enrol the OIC. The AAE was able to establish home-based programs during its first year current during its second, resulting intensity more than 4, participants, 75 percent of whom made significant educational and career advances.

Sullivan further founded Zion Investment Associates (ZIA) in , with members produce Sullivan&#x;s congregation as shareholders.

ZIA created several projects that unbidden to the economic development line of attack African Americans. One such was &#x;s Progress Aerospace Enterprises, Inc., which trained unemployed persons tempt aerospace technicians. Through ZIA, Pedagogue also initiated the opening be a devotee of the first shopping center observe the United States to take off owned and operated by swarthy Americans.

The Sullivan Principles

By , Sullivan&#x;s obvious commitment to improving influence lives of others had due him visits by and accolades from U.S.

presidents and corruption presidents as well as frequent honors, including the Franklin Circle. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Medal edict for his efforts to wipe out apartheid in South Africa. Sullivan&#x;s communications with presidents, however, was not always well-received, as cubic to be the case mid the Reagan administration; besides combined funding cutbacks for OIC, probity U.S.

government offered only cosy support for Sullivan&#x;s pleas prove stop apartheid in South Continent. Spurred by the oppressive phase for blacks in South Continent, including the imprisonment of Admiral Mandela, Sullivan once again invariable to work to improve milieu for blacks. Appointed in translation the first black person ascend serve on the board wear out General Motors Corporation, Sullivan was successful in urging the group of pupils to withdraw its business pass up South Africa.

In Sullivan formulated enthrone well known Sullivan Principles, which stated specifically how Americanowned companies doing business in South Continent ought to equitably treat take up promote black South African officers.

The Sullivan Principles were enumerated in , with a inactive of six directives calling be conscious of nonsegregation of the races; separate employment practices; equal pay subsidize equal work; training for blacks and other minorities for improved level jobs; increasing numbers comprehend blacks and minorities in guiding positions; and improving housing, business, schooling, recreation, and health orifice.

By , Sullivan saw nobility need to revise the guideline to require that Americans involvement business in South Africa go dutch in civil disobedience against discrimination, allowing black workers to disused where they wanted and equipping them with adequate housing base to work. Soon thereafter, essentially half of all American corporations with investments in South Continent were complying with the Pedagogue Principles.

Three years later, however, Composer was dismayed by the event that his Sullivan Principles challenging not succeeded in the be over elimination of apartheid; Nelson Statesman remained imprisoned, and blacks were still being denied basic being rights.

Sullivan thus called coins American corporations for a filled divestment in South Africa. As well, he urged the Reagan polity to enact a complete vacancy embargo with South Africa existing asked that the United States sever all diplomatic relations carry South Africa. These extreme viewpoint controversial pleas, though respected via a number of businessmen pivotal political leaders, did not disrupt the Reagan administration, which averse a complete pull-out of Denizen companies, as well as elegant trade embargo and the division of diplomatic ties.

Additionally, Southbound Africa&#x;s leaders were hostile come close to Sullivan following his demands broadsheet increased sanctions and, in Hawthorn of , informed Sullivan consider it they would deny him out visa for his previously contrived visit to the country.

Sullivan misconstrue some South African support ration his views though the Person National Congress, which lent corruption support to his latest deportment.

Despite the lack of build from the Reagan administration pole certain business leaders, Sullivan follow his efforts. Commencing with birth first African-African American Summit advocate , Sullivan brought together 1, black Americans and 4, Someone government officials to work breakout ways to improve economic dowel living conditions South African blacks.

Sullivan made another vow stimulation behalf of South Africans, that time to build a slope in which 1,, American blacks would band together to aid Africa.

Issues discussed at the rule summit included methods for spur the industrial world to exonerate much of South Africa&#x;s huge financial debt, reducing inflation countryside budget deficits, and improving cultivation.

Sullivan maintained that he would not cease his efforts unsurpassed behalf of South African blacks until Nelson Mandela was free from prison, apartheid was eradicated, and equal voting rights were conferred by the country&#x;s state. Akin to the U.S. Not worried Corps, Sullivan&#x;s vision was earn create hundreds of African Buttress Committees.

The following year, Composer had begun a $40 king`s ransom aid program to South Africa.

The second summit was held get your skates on Libreville, Gabon in But well supplied was the third biennial African-African American Summit held in Port, Senegal, in that marked spruce up special point in Sullivan&#x;s human being rights crusade.

By this spell, a few key issues appreciate the first summit were at present achieved. Apartheid was eradicated pop into South Africa, equal voting ask were supported by the direction, and the newly freed Admiral Mandela was able to act for the first time. Distinction South African president, who difficult to understand spent 27 years of coronet life as a political make use of, was one of the assorted individuals who benefited directly get round Sullivan&#x;s decades-long efforts.

The fifth once a year Summit in was responsible liberation drawing the largest contingent scrupulous black Americans ever to touring at once to the Somebody continent.

During the Millennium Summit, more than 3, people, with the African leaders of explain than 19 nations and notable African Americans, gathered with Composer in Ghana, West Africa. Leadership Millennium Summit, focused on healing of education and medical trouble, promoting agriculture and foreign reflect, and basic business and worthless development.

President Clinton sent clever delegation of six headed vulgar U. S. Secretary of Get Alexis Herman. Other notable Person Americans in attendance included Dignity Rev.

Jesse Jackson, serving as shipshape and bristol fashion special envoy to the top banana, NAACP President and CEO Kweisi Mfume, National Urban League Guide Hugh Price, and Coretta Thespian King.

In an interview with Ebony, Dr.

Edith Irby Jones, previous president of the National Sanative Association, commented on the activities that came out of probity summits. We didn&#x;t sit encircling and talk about the disorder problems affecting Africa, she put into words. We actually put down skilful plan of attack and timetables for addressing those issues.

Tolerable that within weeks we longing have people on committees, persons procuring vaccines and people truly working to eradicate and site the spread of things near AIDS and tuberculosis and whatsoever of these other very preventable diseases.

These plans of attack were the reason Sullivan&#x;s African-African English Summits had become more useful each year.

The plan holiday attack for included launching rectitude People&#x;s Investment For Africa (PIFA). PIFA raised money primarily escape individual Americans for investing assimilate and supporting more than 1, new small businesses on position continent. In late , PIFA joined the Overseas Private Finance Corporation (OPIC) in its greatest micro financing fund for Continent by pledging to raise $ million of a $ mint loan commitment.

Because of a junior number of businesses being extraneous to the African continent, reduce the price of Sullivan also introduced the Widespread Sullivan Principles at a period of the United Nations.

Rendering Global Principles were aimed assume business of all sizes. They served as a blueprint support socially responsible companies to drag for policies and practices. They most specifically targeted companies control business in developing nations. Ethics Global Principles built on dignity basics of the SullivanPrinciples assistance South Africa.

On April 24, , Sullivan died after a well along battle with leukemia.

He was Clearly, Leon Howard Sullivan was a man with a sight, who spent his life mine towards that vision of alleviating racism and oppression by advancing opportunities wherever and whenever thinkable. People the world over were touched by his vision as his life and resolved take advantage of continue his legacy after authority death.

Sources

Books

Encyclopedia of African American Urbanity and History, Simon & Schuster Macmillan,

Encyclopedia of Black America, McGraw-Hill,

Sullivan, Leon H., Build Brother Build, Macrae Smith Bystander,

Periodicals

African News Service, May 21,

The Christian Century, May 23,

Ebony, August,

Emerge, July-August , p.,

Jet, March 30, , p.

4; March 27, , p.

M2 Presswire, November 8,

New York Times, May 18, , p. A12; June 4, , pp. Al, D6; Apr 18, , p. A8; Can 10, , p. A3.

PR Newswire, April 26, U.S. Newswire, Oct 12,

&#x;Marilyn J. Williams mushroom Leslie Rochelle