HARLEM'S PREMIER LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

LEGEND: HARLEM & BEYOND

ADAM CLAYTON POWELL, JR.

CONGRESSMAN - PASTOR

From the Desk of Adam Powell, IV

Harlem is an important chapter in American history, packed with incidents, insights and memorable characters. Jazz musicians such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Fats Waller, entertained us at the many places Harlem was famous for. Political figures like J. Raymond Jones, Vito Marcoantonio, and my father along with other leaders like Marcus Garvey and Malcolm X inspired us to believe in ourselves. Writers and poets such as James Weldon Johnson, Zora Neale Hurston, Piri Thomas and Langston Hughes gave definition to the Harlem “Renaissance.” 

     Harlem begins with the migration of blacks from downtown Manhattan and from the South at the turn of last century. For half a century, Harlem was the Mecca for African-Americans. It was followed by a large settlement of Puerto Ricans on the east side in the 1940s and 50s. Over the last thirty years, Dominicans have made their presence felt on the west side. 

     Many generations traveled great distances to come to Harlem. Almost everything seemed possible above 96th Street. You could be proud of your roots, politically assertive and in the middle of every progressive movement Harlem had to offer at the time. Many of today’s best-known African-American and Hispanic entrepreneurs made their first few dollars uptown.

     Today, Harlem still has a mix of everything: culture, politics, music, African-Americans, whites, Hispanics, Asians, the beautiful million-dollar mansions and the “projects”. However, above it all, Harlem has identity. You can stand on just about any corner of the world and people will know where Harlem is and what Harlem represents. 

     Notwithstanding its appeal, Harlem has never reached its full potential. But it will! That is why many of us live, work and raise our families here. 

     From the Lafayette Theatre on 132nd Street in the 1930s to the Apollo still standing on 125th Street, “Uptown” has always been hot!

Searching for words to briefly describe Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., a leader who found the courage to stand out and stand up for his community and his people, is an intimidating undertaking. His efforts went beyond the pulpit, beyond politics and beyond the United States. Powell’s fearlessness to openly speak out against racial inequalities without passiveness or an obliging deliverance was rare during that time and invited controversy. He was, perhaps, the most powerful force in Harlem civil rights from 1930 to 1950. The endurance demonstrated by Powell on the frontline for more than four decades, under constant tumultuous circumstances compels admiration. He served in Congress for twenty-six years, spanning the historical eras of the Great Depression, World War II, post WWII and the 60’s civil rights movement.

Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. grew up in Harlem as a pampered preacher’s kid, according to the biography written by Charles Hamilton. In 1930, after graduating from Colgate University in upstate New York, Powell returned to Harlem and became assistant pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church under his father, Adam Clayton Powell, Sr. His passion on the subject of racial inequalities grew and he became increasingly involved in community protest activities during that time. Through the early 1930’s he became a major force in efforts to persuade merchants in Harlem to hire Blacks as sales clerks, protests regarding police brutality and the inequalities and discrimination against Black doctors at Harlem Hospital. It was then that his leadership status became evident.

Powell succeeded his father as senior pastor of Abyssinian Baptist church in 1937 and continued to show up on picket line protests. At the age of 33, Powell began his political career as the only African-American on the New York City council. When the State legislature passed a reapportionment bill for a 22nd congressional district, it opened the door for Powell’s congressional election. In 1944, Powell was elected to Congress, unopposed and became an outspoken, uncompromising advocate for civil rights, invariably on his terms, in his way. Maintaining a full plate that included preaching at Abyssinian, speaking engagements across the country, actively participating in political battles, and writing columns for the New York Times or his weekly journal “The People’s Voice”, in which he co-founded, Powell also balanced an active social life. He was married three times and had two sons, Adam III and Adam IV.

His social escapades stirred up as much “eyebrow raising” attention as his activities in congress besides his infamous ad hoc speeches.Powell lost his congressional seat in 1970 to Charles Rangel, who presently remains as the State’s representative. In April 1971, Powell retired as pastor of Abyssinian and died a year later to what was said to have been complications from prostate surgery.Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. woke up a nation with affective aggressiveness and unabashedly exposed the ills and inconsistencies of racial inequality. He gave many leaders a path to follow and a people the courage to publicly acknowledge the agony of racism. Powell’s power was unleashed  by his bravery of daring to do or say things that most people were inhibited to carry out. His legacy lives through his sons and in the spirit of his race and it’s people.