BLACK IN TIME: A Moment In OUR History

Roy Wilkins

On July 8, 1955, The NAACP Elected Roy Wilkins As Their New Executive Secretary.

Roy Wilkins Was Born In St. Louis, Missouri On August 30, 1901. He Received A Sociology Degree From The University Of Minnesota In 1923.

A Portion Of Wilkins' Professional Career Was Spent In Journalism. He Worked For The "Minnesota Daily," And Was Editor Of Two Other Publications, The "Saint Paul Appeal (A Black Newspaper)" And The "Kansas City Call." When W. E. B. Du Bois Left The NAACP In 1934, Wilkins Replaced Him As Editor Of The "Crisis," The NAACP's Official Magazine. Wilkins Served As Editor For The Next 15 Years.

Wilkins Has Been Described As "Courtly," Gracious, Gentle, Quiet, Effective and Wise. He Was Also Criticized For Being Too Conservative.

Nevertheless, Under His Leadership The NAACP Was Successful In Effecting Many Institutional Changes For The Benefit Of Black Americans, Including The Civil Rights Act Of 1964 And The Voting Rights Act Of 1965.

In 1967, Roy Wilkins Was Awarded The Presidential Medal Of Freedom, By Lyndon Johnson. And On September 8, 1981, President Ronald Reagan Ordered The American Flag To Be Flown At Half-Mast At All Government Properties In Honor Of Wilkins, Who Died On That Day, At The Age Of 80.

"In Order For Black History To Live, We Must Continue To Breathe Life Into It." -- Hubert Gaddy, Jr.



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