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Politician and Preacher: The Life of Adam Clayton Powell Jr. In-Person
Adam Clayton Powell Jr. is one of the most fascinating figures in African American history! Born the son of a preacher, he would rise to be the pastor for one of the largest Baptist churches in the country - Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, New York. Eventually he became the first African American elected to Congress from New York state.
Representing Harlem from the 1940s through the early 1970s, he became known as "Mr. Civil Rights". Powell fought for the Civil Rights movement before it moved into high gear after the Brown v. Board of Education decision in 1954. By 1961, he became the first African American to Chair a committee in the House. While a leader, he could also be controversial at times.
Please join MCC Professor of History, Mark Sample, as he tells the story of this important leader!
- Date:
- Thursday, February 12, 2026
- Time:
- 4:00pm - 5:30pm
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Location:
- Central - Kate Gleason Auditorium
- Library:
- Central Library
- Audience:
- Adults Seniors Teens
- Categories:
- Department - Science, History & Technology Black History Government History Lecture/Presentation Multicultural