Claude Black (minister) facts for kids
Claude William Black Jr. (born November 28, 1916 – died March 13, 2009) was an important American Baptist minister and a leader in politics. He was born in San Antonio, Texas, at a time when the city was segregated. This meant that Black people and white people were kept separate in many places. Claude's father, Claude Sr., was a Vice President for the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, a famous labor union. His mother, Cora Black, was a housewife.
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Biography and Ministry
Becoming a Minister
When Claude Black was a student at Morehouse College in Atlanta, he first wanted to become a doctor. However, he soon felt called to become a minister instead. He then went on to study at Andover Newton Theological School to prepare for his new path.
Black served as the pastor of Mount Zion First Baptist Church in San Antonio for many years, from 1949 to 1998. After that, he became the pastor emeritus, which means he was still honored for his past leadership. Before this, he was a pastor at other churches. He served at Calvary Baptist Church in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and St. Matthew Baptist Church in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Community Leadership
Beyond his church duties, Claude Black started several community groups. He also created San Antonio's first credit union for Black people. He was a leader in the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. and president of the Baptist Minister's Union of San Antonio. He was known as a "pastor of the community" because he worked hard to help everyone.
Civil Rights Activism
Fighting for Equality
Claude Black was well-known across the southern United States for his work in the Civil Rights Movement. This movement aimed to end unfair treatment and segregation for Black Americans. In the late 1950s and 1960s, he helped lead and organize marches throughout Texas. He worked alongside other important leaders like State Representative G. J. Sutton and Harry Burns.
He bravely spoke out against unfair treatment of minority groups. He challenged leaders like former Texas Governor Price Daniel and former San Antonio Mayor Walter McAllister. In 1952, while speaking at a city council meeting, he faced disrespect and challenges.
Working with National Leaders
Claude Black became friends with many famous civil rights leaders. These included A. Philip Randolph, Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, Adam Clayton Powell Jr., James Farmer, and Ella Baker. He was also an ally to President Lyndon B. Johnson in San Antonio. Because of this, he was invited to the White House Conference on Civil Rights in 1966.
His work for civil rights was not easy. He and his family faced many threats. Even his church was targeted. In 1974, his home was shot at, and his church burned down. No one was ever charged for these crimes.
Supporting Student Activists
Black also supported the local branch of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). This group was made up of young people who worked for civil rights. He allowed them to use his church for meetings and to raise money. He even helped pass a city council resolution in 1976 against the sale of the South African Krugerrand Gold Coin. This was a stand against apartheid, a system of racial segregation in South Africa, before Nelson Mandela was released from prison.
Political Service
Claude Black also served on the San Antonio City Council for four terms, from 1973 to 1978. During this time, he made history by becoming the city's first Black Mayor Pro Tem. This role means he could act as mayor when the actual mayor was not available.
Legacy and Honors
Claude Black was married to ZerNona Black (1912–2005) for 59 years. He had an adopted daughter, Joyce, and a son, Stewart, who passed away before him.
San Antonio has honored Claude Black in many ways. A street, a shopping plaza, and a community center are all named after him. The city also created the Rev. Claude and ZerNona Black Scholarship Endowment Fund to help students. Wayland Baptist University's San Antonio campus named an award in his honor for outstanding students earning a Master of Christian Ministry degree.
On November 30, 2006, a big celebration was held for his 90th birthday. Many important people attended, including Martin Luther King III, Fred Shuttlesworth, Henry Cisneros, Percy Sutton, and Phil Hardberger.
Black wrote an autobiography called Grandpa was a Preacher: A Letter to my Grandson. It was published in 2006 and co-written with his grandson, Taj Matthews.
The MLK Realizing the Dream Foundation honored Rev. Black in Washington, D.C. He was honored alongside important figures like Congressman Ted Kennedy, Congressman John Lewis, and activist Aung San Suu Kyi. Claude Black was even present at some of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous civil rights speeches, including the "I Have a Dream" speech.
The important documents and papers of Claude and ZerNona Black are kept at Trinity University Coates Library in San Antonio, Texas.
Death
Claude Black passed away on March 13, 2009, in San Antonio, Texas. He had been ill for some time.
See also
