Ronald Durham facts for kids

L. Ronald Durham is an American civil rights activist and a Baptist minister. He has served as a pastor in churches in New Jersey and Florida. He also helped start a local group of the National Action Network in Daytona Beach. Mr. Durham has been a minister for more than 50 years, working to help people.

Early Life and Education

L. Ronald Durham was born and grew up in Passaic, New Jersey. He finished Passaic High School in 1968. He started his work as a minister when he was just 16 years old.

He went to Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. He studied there for four years and graduated in 1972. Later, he earned his doctoral degree from Evangel Christian University in Monroe, Louisiana.

Working for Change: Activism

Mr. Durham has worked hard to fight against unfairness and injustice. He met Rev. Al Sharpton during a protest. This protest was about how police treated people on the New Jersey Turnpike. Since then, they have worked together for many years.

Standing Up for Justice

In 2012, Mr. Durham and Rev. Sharpton organized a large gathering. This event took place in Sanford, Florida. It happened after a young person named Trayvon Martin was killed. Mr. Durham worked with local churches to choose the park for the event. It is thought that over 30,000 people came from all over the world. The gathering was peaceful and showed many people cared about justice.

Leading the Volusia County Democratic Black Caucus

L. Ronald Durham was chosen to be the president of the Volusia County Democratic Black Caucus. This group works to make sure the voices of the community are heard.

Importance of Voter Education

As president, Mr. Durham spoke about the need for voter education. He believes that teaching people about voting is very important. This helps address big issues like poverty, women's rights, and healthcare. He also said that choosing the right leaders is key. It is also important to connect with younger voters.

Connecting Through Sports

In 1988, Mr. Durham and his wife hosted a big event. It was the National Baseball Card Collectors Convention. This event took place in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Many famous baseball players attended. These included Joe DiMaggio and Pete Rose.

Helping the Community

Mr. Durham has started programs to help people in need. These programs give free food and clothing. He also created the Friendship Academy. This academy is a learning center for young children. It plans to grow and include classes up to fifth grade.

He also served as a co-chairman for FAITH. This group's name stands for "Fighting Against Injustice Toward Harmony."