Muhammad Kenyatta facts for kids

Muhammad I. Kenyatta (born Donald Brooks Jackson; March 3, 1944 – January 3, 1992) was an important American leader. He was a professor, a civil rights activist, and a champion for human rights around the world. In the early 1970s, Donald Jackson changed his name to Muhammad Kenyatta.

In the 1960s, he worked with the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. This group fought for the right of African-Americans to vote in Mississippi. In 1969, he became a national leader for the Black Economic Development Conference. This group worked to end poverty in communities of color.

Kenyatta also studied at Harvard Divinity School and Harvard Law School. He led a protest there to improve hiring of minority staff. He also worked with the United Nations and TransAfrica to promote human rights globally.

Early Life and Education

Muhammad Kenyatta was born in Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1944. He went to an elementary school that was segregated. This meant Black and white students went to separate schools.

At age 14, he became a minister at the Calvary Baptist Church. He later attended Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. When he could no longer afford college, he joined the United States Air Force at 17.

In 1981, Kenyatta earned his bachelor's degree from Williams College. He then went to Harvard Divinity School in 1973. Three years later, he earned his law degree from Harvard Law School. He also became a Harvard fellow in 1984.

Fighting for Change: Kenyatta's Career

In the mid-1960s, Kenyatta worked for the Head Start Program. This program helps young children from low-income families. It provides them with early education and health services. He also supported a group that asked Quakers to pay reparations. These payments would help make up for past wrongs related to slavery.

He also worked with the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party. This group fought against unfair voting rules in Mississippi. During this time, he was unfairly targeted by the F.B.I. He later sued the government for violating his rights. However, a jury did not rule in his favor.

Back in Philadelphia, Kenyatta continued his activism. In 1969, he became a national leader for the Black Economic Development Conference. This group called for reparations for Black people.

Harvard University Boycott

Kenyatta became well-known at Harvard for organizing a protest. Students boycotted a civil rights course at the Law School. They were protesting the choice of a white professor to teach the class. Students wanted a minority faculty member to be added to the law school staff.

As president of the Black Law Students Association (BLSA), Kenyatta spoke out about the boycott. He wrote a letter explaining the students' reasons for protesting. The media reported on the boycott, and some criticized the students.

Kenyatta was upset by what he saw as a lack of concern for minority issues. He felt that economic issues were most important for Black people in America. He believed that "affirmative action" was key to helping Black people escape poverty. Affirmative action aims to create equal opportunities for groups that have been discriminated against.

Running for Mayor in Philadelphia

In 1975, Kenyatta ran for mayor of Philadelphia. He sought the Democratic nomination. The current mayor, Frank Rizzo, was running for reelection. Kenyatta called Rizzo "the George Wallace of the North." George Wallace was a politician known for supporting segregation.

Kenyatta decided to run himself. The Philadelphia media paid a lot of attention to his campaign. He had just led a public campaign against crime in the city. Some people accused him of running to split the Black vote, which would help Rizzo win. Kenyatta denied making any deals with Rizzo.

International Human Rights Work

Kenyatta also worked on international projects. He was a leader in the Pan African Skills Project. This program involved education in the United States, Tanzania, and Ghana. He also represented non-governmental organizations at the United Nations.

He helped start the Western New York Chapter of TransAfrica. This group works to support African and Caribbean interests in Washington, D.C.

Later Life and Death

From 1988 until his death, Kenyatta was a visiting professor. He taught at the University at Buffalo School of Law. He passed away on January 3, 1992, at age 47. University officials said he had been ill for a long time. He suffered from complications related to diabetes.

Personal Life

Muhammad Kenyatta was married to Mary Kenyatta. They had one daughter and two sons.

Kenyatta's grandson, Malcolm Kenyatta, is also an activist. He works for community and LGBT rights in Philadelphia. In 2018, he was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He also ran for a U.S. Senate seat in 2022.