Adam clayton powell iv biography of william

Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., preacher, civil rights activist, and national politician, was born to Mattie and Adam Clayton Powell, Sr. in New Haven, Connecticut, on November 29,   Young Powell grew up in New York City, New York since his father, a Baptist preacher, became pastor of the historic Abyssinian Baptist Church in midtown Manhattan in , shortly after Powell was born.

During the s, the church and the Powell family relocated uptown to Harlem. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. was educated in the New York City school system. He earned a bachelor&#;s degree in from Colgate University and then a master&#;s in religious education from Columbia University in

During the Great Depression, Powell developed a reputation as a fearless Harlem community activist.

He successfully organized and led peaceful boycotts to force white businesses in Harlem to hire blacks for management and professional positions. He was also an outspoken advocate for fair and affordable housing.

In , Powell married