Ezell Blair Jr. facts for kids

Jibreel Khazan (born Ezell Alexander Blair Jr.; October 18, 1941) is an important civil rights activist. He is famous for being one of the Greensboro Four. This group of four African American college students took a brave stand on February 1, 1960. They sat at a lunch counter in a Woolworth's store in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina. This lunch counter was "segregated," meaning only white customers were allowed to eat there. The students challenged this unfair rule. Their actions and the events that followed were a big part of the Civil Rights Movement.

Early Life and Education

Jibreel Khazan was born Ezell Alexander Blair Jr. on October 18, 1941. His hometown was Greensboro, North Carolina. He went to Dudley High School, where his father was a teacher. His father was a member of the NAACP, a group that worked for equal rights. Khazan said that his father's strong beliefs about fairness "rubbed off on him." He learned to stand up when he saw unfair treatment because of someone's skin color. He also remembered a teacher who told her class they were preparing for a time when everyone would have equal rights.

Inspired by Leaders

In 1958, Khazan heard Martin Luther King Jr. speak. King talked about using "nonviolent protests" to end segregation. This means protesting peacefully without using violence. King's words deeply affected Khazan. He felt his heart beating fast and tears came to his eyes.

In 1959, Khazan graduated from high school. He then went to North Carolina A&T College. During his first year, he and his roommate, Joseph McNeil, along with two friends, Franklin McCain and David Richmond, made a plan. They wanted to protest the segregated lunch counter at the Woolworth's store.

The Greensboro Sit-ins

On February 1, 1960, these four young men took a bold step. They sat down at the Woolworth's lunch counter, knowing they would not be served. Khazan said he was inspired by a documentary about Mohandas Gandhi. Gandhi used "passive insistence," which is a peaceful way to demand change. Each of the four friends had their own reasons for acting. But their strong friendship helped them decide to take action together. Their protest became known as the Greensboro Sit-ins.

Continuing His Education and Activism

The sit-in demonstrations were just the start of Khazan's involvement in his community. He joined a fraternity called Alpha Phi Alpha. He was elected president of his junior class. Later, he became president of the school's student government. He also led the campus NAACP and the Greensboro Congress for Racial Equality. These groups worked to achieve equal rights for all people.

In 1963, Khazan earned his degree in sociology and social studies from A&T College. After college, he studied law briefly at Howard University. He continued his education at Massachusetts University. He also studied voice at the New England Conservatory of Music.

Later Life and New Beginnings

Life in Greensboro became hard for Khazan after the sit-ins. Some people saw him as a "troublemaker." So, in 1965, he moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts. There, he worked as a teacher and counselor. He helped people with developmental challenges. In 1968, he joined the Islamic Center of New England. At that time, he changed his name to Jibreel Khazan. Today, Khazan shares his story as an oral historian and lecturer. He tells people about the important events he was a part of.

Lasting Legacy

Jibreel Khazan has received many honors for his brave actions.

• In 1991, North Carolina A&T State University gave him an honorary doctorate degree. This is a special degree given to people who have done great things.
• In 2002, the university created a statue to honor Khazan and the other three members of the A&T Four.
• There are also residence halls named after each of the four men on the university campus.
• In 2010, Khazan received the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal from the Smithsonian Institution. This is a very important award from a famous museum group.
• On October 12, 2021, a city park in New Bedford, MA, was renamed in his honor.

Personal Life

Jibreel Khazan is married to Lorraine France George. They have three children together.