David Richmond (activist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Richmond
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Richmond c. 1960
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| Born | April 20, 1941 |
| Died | December 7, 1990 (aged 49) Greensboro, North Carolina, US
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| Resting place | Carolina Biblical Gardens, Jamestown, North Carolina |
| Alma mater | North Carolina A&T State University |
| Spouse(s) | Yvonne Bryson |
| Children | 3 |
David Leinail Richmond (born April 20, 1941 – died December 7, 1990) was an important civil rights activist. He is best known as one of the "Greensboro Four." While a student at North Carolina A&T State University, he took part in the famous Greensboro protests. These actions helped change laws that separated people based on race. David Richmond received the Levi Coffin Award in 1980 for his leadership in human rights. After his death in 1990, he was given an honorary doctorate degree from North Carolina A&T.
Contents
David Richmond: A Civil Rights Hero
Early Life and Education
David Leinail Richmond was born in Greensboro, North Carolina, on April 20, 1941. He grew up there and graduated from James B. Dudley High School in 1959. David was a well-liked student. He played many sports and joined several clubs. In 1959, he even set a state record in the high jump for his track and field team.
After high school, David went to North Carolina A&T State University. He studied business and accounting. During his second semester, David and his friends took part in a very important protest. This event became a key moment in the Civil Rights Movement.
On February 1, 1960, David Richmond and three other freshmen from A&T walked to a Woolworth store. These friends were Ezell Blair Jr. (later known as Jibreel Khazan), Franklin McCain, and Joseph McNeil. They bought some items from a counter where everyone could shop. Then, they sat down at the lunch counter that was only for white people. They were told they could not be served there. David and his friends stayed at the counter until the store closed. They planned to come back the next day.
The Greensboro Four Sit-In
On February 1, 1960, Joseph McNeil, Franklin McCain, David Richmond, and Jibreel Khazan (Ezell Blair Jr.) asked for service. They were at the lunch counter of the F. W. Woolworth store. They were told to use a "stand-up counter" meant for Black customers. The young men explained they had already bought items there that day. They even showed their receipts.
An employee and the manager asked them to follow the rules. But the students politely refused. They believed these rules were unfair. A police officer arrived, but the students were peaceful. They were just sitting and talking. The officer was unsure what to do because they were not causing trouble.
One white woman told Franklin McCain she was disappointed. He asked why. She said she was disappointed it had taken so long for someone to do this. The students kept sitting until the manager closed the store early. The young men felt they had won a small victory. They had feared being arrested.
Impact of the Sit-Ins
The Greensboro Four were not the first to protest unfair separation (called segregation) in a peaceful way. But their protest quickly gained a lot of attention. A photo of the four young men was taken. This picture helped spread the word.
In just four days, the protest grew. Hundreds of students from several colleges and even high schools joined in. Within two weeks, thousands of students were protesting in many cities across the United States. Their actions showed the power of peaceful protest.
On July 25, 1960, just five months after the first sit-in, Black customers were finally served at Woolworth's. This event helped end segregation in many public places across the country. Many people see this as a key moment in the start of the American Civil Rights Movement.
Later Years and Challenges
After the sit-ins, David Richmond found it hard to focus on his studies. He eventually left North Carolina A&T without graduating. He then worked as a counselor-coordinator for a program in Greensboro.
David faced challenges and threats because of his activism. He moved to Franklin, North Carolina, a town in the mountains. He had three children. His son, Chip, became a football player for Wake Forest University. David later returned to Greensboro to care for his parents. He faced difficulties finding work due to his past activism. Eventually, he found a job as a janitor at the Greensboro Health Care Center.
Remembering David Richmond
David Richmond passed away from lung cancer on December 7, 1990, at 49 years old. After his death, North Carolina A&T University honored him with an honorary doctorate degree.
He received other important awards during his life and after. In 1980, the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce gave him the Levi Coffin Award. This award recognized his leadership in human rights. In 2010, he was also honored with the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal.
In 2002, North Carolina A&T University created a statue to honor David Richmond. It also honored the other three members of the Greensboro Four: Franklin McCain, Ezell Blair Jr. (Jibreel Khazan), and Joseph McNeil. The university also named residence halls after these four brave men.
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