Amos Brown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Amos C. Brown
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Amos Cleophilus Brown
February 20, 1941 Jackson, Mississippi, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Morehouse College (B.A., 1964) Crozer Theological Seminary (M.Div., 1968) United Theological Seminary (D.Min, 1990) |
| Occupation | Pastor • activist |
| Employer | Third Baptist Church of San Francisco |
| Title | Member, San Francisco Board of Supervisors |
| Term | 1996–1999, 1999–2001 |
| Board member of | NAACP |
| Spouse(s) | Jane Smith Brown |
Amos Cleophilus Brown (born February 20, 1941) is an important African American pastor and civil rights activist. He leads the San Francisco branch of the NAACP, a group that works for equal rights. Since 1976, he has been the pastor at the Third Baptist Church in San Francisco. Brown was one of only eight students who took a special college class taught by Martin Luther King Jr.. He also helps on the board of the California Reparations Task Force.
Early Life and Education
Amos Brown was born in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1941. His great-grandfather was born into slavery. Brown's father was a church pastor and also worked as a janitor.
In 1955, when he was just 14, Brown helped start the first youth council for the NAACP. He met Martin Luther King Jr. for the first time in 1956. This was at an NAACP meeting in San Francisco. Medgar Evers, another civil rights leader, drove Brown there himself.
In 1959, Brown spoke out against schools that separated students by race. This was called "segregated schools." Because of his comments, he was not allowed to return to his high school, Jim Hill High School. Medgar Evers stepped in and threatened to sue the school. Brown was then allowed back into Jim Hill High. However, he could no longer be student council president or valedictorian.
Brown went to Morehouse College and finished in 1964. Then he went to Crozer Theological Seminary. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote one of Brown's recommendation letters. King also helped guide the Black students at the school. Brown was one of only eight students chosen for a special class taught by King.
After getting his master's degree, Brown later earned another degree from United Theological Seminary.
Fighting for Civil Rights
Amos Brown became the main pastor of the Third Baptist Church in San Francisco in 1976. He has held important roles in the NAACP. He was the national chairman for the NAACP's youth and college groups. He also led the National Baptist Commission on Civil Rights. Today, he is the president of the San Francisco NAACP branch. He is also on the national board of directors for the NAACP.
In 1991, Brown spoke at the hearings for Clarence Thomas Supreme Court nomination. He spoke for several large Baptist church groups. He said that these groups were mostly against Thomas becoming a Supreme Court Justice.
Brown also served on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1996 to 2001. This is like a city council that makes decisions for the city. He was first chosen by Mayor Willie Brown in 1996. Then, he was elected for a two-year term in 1999.
Brown has said that the history of the student sit-in movement is sometimes told differently. He believes the first organized "sit-down movement" happened in Oklahoma City in 1958. This was led by the NAACP Youth Council. In 1961, Brown was arrested with Martin Luther King Jr. during a lunch counter sit-in. He also joined the Freedom Riders that same year. Freedom Riders rode buses into segregated areas to protest unfair laws.
Brown supports equal rights for all people. He spoke in favor of a California bill for equal rights in 1991. In 2012, he joined the NAACP National Board in voting to support marriage equality.
After the September 11 attacks in 2001, Brown spoke at a memorial service. He asked America to think about its actions around the world. He mentioned places like Central America and Africa. He also spoke about global warming and a racism conference.
Brown has asked for reparations for Black people. This means giving money or support to make up for past wrongs like slavery. He believes this would help Black communities grow stronger and improve education.
In 1964, Brown volunteered for Operation Crossroads Africa. He spent over two months on the west coast of Africa. He has visited Africa more than 20 times since then. Under his leadership, the Third Baptist Church has helped many African refugees. They also helped 80 children from Tanzania get heart surgery in the United States.
Awards and Recognition
- Martin Luther King Jr. Ministerial Award
