Leaders and Legislation of The Civil Rights and Black Power Movements

Leader and Associated Legislation, if any

Date(s)

Organization and/or Cause

Contribution

A. Philip Randolph

1941

Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, which fought Discrimination

His threat to march on Washington to protest discriminatory treatment caused former President Franklin D. Roosevelt to react with new policies on job discrimination.

MedgarWiley Evers

1960

National Association for advancements of colored people, allowing them to use any public restrooms

Organized boycotts against certain merchants that discriminated against blacks

Jesse Jackson

1965-

Leader of the

Chicago branch of Operation Breadbasket, Forced businesses to give more job opportunities for black workers by boycotting discrimination against blacks

He was the first to be a contender in a presidential election

Martin Luther King Jr. 

1925-1968

President of the Montgomery Improvement Association, used to boycott Montgomery buses, to allow blacks to sit where they pleased

Lead protests and marches to fight the prejudice in Jim Crow Laws, Jim Crow lost in Birmingham

Frederick Douglass

1833-1850

East Baltimore Mental Improvement Society, a group of free black people helping to fight slavery.

Started a Sunday School just or black to teach individuals how to read and write.

John Brown

1851-1856

Pottawatomie Massacre, Harpers Ferry Raid, to help free slaves and earn more rights for blacks.

He Participated in the Underground Railroad to protect and hide slaves from slave catchers. Defended Osawatomie from attack by proslavery men and lea a raid on Harper’s Ferry

Ruby Bridges

1954-1995

One of the first blacks to go to an all white school, to receive a better education.

Published a book titled The Story of Rudy Bridges.

Dred Scott

1846

Born a slave, sues for freedom, and to be considered a citizen.

Fought for freedom and citizen rights.

Sojourner Truth

1827

A women’s rights activist fought desegregation of streetcars in Washington, DC and won.

Waked away from Dumont Estate leaving her family. She was the first black person to win a lawsuit against white people to regain custody of her family.

Nat Turner

1831

Fought for religious reasons, was one of the first to stand up for individual rights.

Killed many slave owners to fight against slavery. Nat was hung for murder.