Legend

Pastor, Educator, Leader

DR. CALVIN O. BUTTS, III

Dr. Butts earned his degree in Philosophy from Morehouse College and later received his Doctorate from Drew University. A New York native, Butts believes that his pivotal role in education and religion is not exceptional but is an extension of ministry demonstrated by many religious leaders in our past. He refers to religious men who were educators like Benjamin Elijah Mays, minister and President of Morehouse College; Mordecai Johnson, President of Howard University; Samuel Dewitt Proctor, Butts predecessor at Abyssinian who was President of Virginia Union University and North Carolina A&T; and added Marcus Garvey and Booker T. Washington to his long list of leaders who were religious educators. 

     Although from a social standpoint, Dr. Butts belongs to an elite circle of Black society, he has chosen to live in the Harlem community. He explains that when he became pastor he could have lived anywhere, but made the decision to stay. "I just like being around Black people - I like the energy of Black people, the community has flavor. Besides, in a community like Harlem you can't preach development, pride and ownership and not practice it." Through his ideas and beliefs, Butts has made and is making important contributions to the overall betterment of Harlem. Over the next few years, he hopes to see safer streets, more quality schools and increased property ownership among African Americans, with an emphasis on cultural preservation. 

     Visitors to the church once described their perspective of Dr. Butts as one standing on the shoulders of many great men. An interesting observation that shows to what extent the power possessed by Dr. Butts is evident. Whether through divine inspiration, personal ingenuity or strong social and financial alliances, the growing power of Dr. Butts is undeniable. Anyone who is intimately acquainted with the fabric of Harlem understands the tremendous challenge and commitment possessed by Dr. Butts. His ability to uphold the integrity and social conscientiousness of his predecessors will come to light as he embarks on the tough challenges facing the community.  

   As the United States Conservatives call for the replacement of the government’s role in social engineering, there has been a resurgence of moral and economic authority within the Black church. Taking on a renewed role in the economic empowerment of communities in urban areas across the country, the Black church is reciprocating interplay between the church and the public interests. At the forefront of Harlem's most cumbersome redevelopment undertakings is Rev. Dr. Calvin Butts, III. 

      Pastor of historic Abyssinian Baptist Church and President of the State University of New York College at Old Westbury, Dr. Butts has succeeded in developing a distinct leadership role within the community aside from the overshadowing cast of Abyssinian's legacy. His mission to uplift the ethical standards of the community has led to the elimination of negative billboard advertising in several urban areas throughout New York City and the overall improvement of institutionalized racial policies.

 His position on various issues has caused attacks on his character from all sides with criticism for his political and corporate alliances. Yet, he remains one of the city's most influential Black leaders.       

In keeping with the tradition of enlightenment and empowerment set by predecessors Adam Clayton Powell, Sr., Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and Dr. Samuel Proctor, the charismatic Dr. Butts has used his influence to improve the quality of life for Harlem residents. His mission of community revitalization began with an appeal to parishioners in 1986 that lead to the formation of Abyssinian Development Corporation (ADC). The organization currently has a program and operating budget of more than $100 million and is responsible for placing more than 500 units into service through gut rehabilitation, including moderate income condominiums, a 25-unit complex for low and moderate-income families and another 179 rental units for low-income households. ADC has also added a Head Start Center and founded an alternative middle/high school (Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning & Social Change). In 1998, a 53,000-square foot Pathmark Supermarket opened for business in a shopping center owned and developed by ADC.

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HARLEM LEGEND - PERCY SUTTON

By Brauck Wesley-Busher

It is important in the evolution of every populace for subsequent generations to understand the individual accomplishments and collective sacrifices made by those who transcended boundaries to create a pathway to a better future. Moreover, investigate the causal evidence of their success to establish the most effectual strategic plan in charting a course for progress and as a catalyst for inspiration. While the historical accounts of past leaders may seem abstract, there are legends among us that can produce a more intimate study to draw a historical parallel to a contemporary focus. 

Percy Sutton, a living legend, an icon and a leading philanthropist, politician, entrepreneur, lawyer and a decorated war hero, is a model and product of the entire African American experience. From slavery to empowerment, Sutton has felt the affects of both. He lived discrimination in both the North and the South. His development of persistent leadership, strong family values and personal inventiveness has created one of the most powerful men in New York. 

Sutton was born in San Antonio Texas, the youngest of 15 children, to Samuel J. Sutton and Lillian Smith. His father, born in slavery, became a farmer and later through conscious intent, became the principal of the Phyllis Wheatley High School in the highly segregated San Antonio school system. His mother was also an educator and both parents were determined to provide their children with the best opportunities for a quality education that would lead to valuable and productive lives. 

He moved to New York after attempting to enlist in the Army Air Corps with segregationist recruiters in the South during World War II. His enlistment was accepted in New York from where he would serve with the Tuskegee Airmen as an intelligence officer with the 332nd Fighter Group’s Black 99th Pursuit Squadron. Sutton received his law degree in 1950 from Brooklyn College School of Law while working full-time jobs. He returned to military service during the Korean War as an Air Force intelligence officer in Washington, D.C. and later became the first Black trial judge advocate for the air force. In 1953, Sutton returned to New York to pursue his legal career. 

Sutton established the Sutton and Covington law firm; a partnership housed in offices on 125th Street in Harlem, with colleagues George Covington and brother Oliver Sutton. Within a forty-year span of practice, the firm’s most famous accomplishments include legal counsel for Malcolm X, consultant to the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and many civil rights cases with the NAACP throughout the 50’s and 60’s. During excessive arrests of civil rights workers between 1963 and 1964, the firm handled an impressive 200 plus pro bono cases. 

In November 1964, Sutton began his political career in New York City as a State Assemblyman and in 1966, he was appointed by the New York City Council to fill the unexpired term of Constance Baker Motley as Manhattan Borough President. He was later re-elected and served as Borough President for eleven years. Sutton endorsed Charles Rangel’s campaign to unseat Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. as congressman, which marked the beginning of the new Black political strong-alliance in Harlem. 

In the course of his reign as Borough President, Sutton embarked on a strategy to purchase several media enterprises. He believed that the best way to empowerment was through media and politics, which proved true throughout his professional career. Sutton, in 1971, purchased radio station WLIB-AM, making it the first black-owned station in New York City; and also acquired the second largest Black weekly in the United States, New York Amsterdam News (sold Amsterdam News in 1975). As owner and chairman of the board of the Inner-City Broadcasting Company, a national media corporation, he purchased radio stations in New York, Michigan and California. Sutton’s financial success also spawned Percy Sutton International, Inc., an investment firm that helped encourage the trade industries in Brazil, Africa and Southeast Asia. 

Sutton’s experience in media lead him to the understanding that programming was an important factor in the business, which prompted the purchase of the Apollo Theatre to be used as a base for producing cable television programs. The mastermind concept of “It’s Showtime at the Apollo,” a nationally televised program of their famous amateur night, helped restore the Apollo Theatre to the fame that once embodied the name and reestablished it as a major cultural center and landmark in Harlem. Although the Apollo Theatre recently underwent an organizational change, now under the control of Time Warner, Sutton’s production company maintains control of the television production rights. 

Though now retired, his legacy continues through his children and by way of mentoring, advisory and counseling efforts throughout the country. In 1990, Pierre “PePe”, Sutton’s son, succeeded him as head of Inner-City Broadcasting, along with daughter Cheryl in a separate capacity. Percy Sutton still maintains an active role in a variety of roles in business and the community. He still holds chairman emeritus title for Inner-City Broadcasting and actively participates in the decision-making process; and sits on an assortment of boards.