Curlee Brown, Sr. facts for kids

Curlee Brown Sr. was an important African-American activist. He led the Paducah chapter of the NAACP. He is famous for a legal case that helped integrate a college in Kentucky. This means the college started allowing students of all races to attend.

Curlee Brown Sr.'s Early Life

Curlee Brown Sr. was born in 1909 in Hollandale, Mississippi. His parents were Dave and Dora Brown. After his parents divorced, he moved with his father. They lived in Helena, Arkansas and then Paducah, Kentucky. Paducah became his home for the rest of his life. He went to Western Kentucky Industrial College. He also studied carpentry and cabinet making at Western Kentucky Vocational School.

Fighting for Equality: His Activism

In 1940, Curlee Brown Sr. became the president of the Paducah NAACP. He led this group until he passed away. Curlee believed that education and equality were very important for everyone.

Integrating West Kentucky Community and Technical College

Curlee Brown Sr. launched a successful lawsuit against Paducah Junior College. This school is now known as West Kentucky Community and Technical College. His lawsuit led to the school becoming integrated.

In 1951, Brown tried to enroll in the college. But he was not allowed to join because of the Day Law. This law, updated in 1950, stopped schools from allowing students of different races to study together. The U.S. District Court in Paducah decided that the college had to let Brown and other Black students enroll. The college tried to appeal this decision, but they were not successful. Eventually, the school became integrated.

His son later became the first African American to graduate from that college. His daughter was the second Black graduate from the local junior college.

Meeting Martin Luther King Jr.

In 1957, Curlee Brown Sr. traveled to Detroit, Michigan. He went to hear Martin Luther King Jr. speak about civil rights. There, he met Gloster Current, who led the Detroit NAACP. Current encouraged Brown to keep fighting for what was right.

Curlee Brown Sr.'s Legacy

Curlee Brown Sr. was recognized for his work. The Paducah Sun Democrat newspaper honored him for helping desegregate things peacefully. He also received awards for his great service and for giving his time to the community.

Curlee Brown Sr. passed away on November 18, 1976.

To honor his memory, the Kentucky NAACP created the Curlee Brown Scholarship. The Paducah branch of the NAACP also created the Curlee Brown Award. They give this award to people who have made a big difference in human rights. In 2010, Curlee Brown Sr. was added to the Kentucky Civil Rights Hall of Fame.