Adam Clayton Powell, Jr.

Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. was an American Baptist pastor and politician who represented New York City in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1945 until 1971 (78th-89th and 91st Congresses, he was elected to the 90th Congress, but not seated). Powell, a Democrat, was the first Black Congressman elected to Congress from New York State. While in Congress, Powell became a powerful voice on civil rights and social issues in the Democratic Party. In 1961, after 16 years in the House, Powell became chairman of the Education and Labor Committee. He was an ardent supporter of social and civil rights legislation under presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. Powell’s leadership of the Committee on Education and Labor led to more than 50 measures authorizing increases in the minimum wage, federal programs for vocational training, standards for wage and work hours, and aid for schools and libraries. Among his numerous achievements, Powell led an investigation about bias in schoolbooks and education, calling out publishers and administrators for biased content and practices. Powell received a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University and earned a master’s degree in religious education from Columbia University.