William Augustus Jones Jr. facts for kids
William Augustus Jones Jr. (February 24, 1934 – February 4, 2006) was an African-American minister and a leader in the Civil Rights movement. He worked to make sure all people had equal rights.
Early Life and Education
William Augustus Jones Jr. was born in Louisville, Kentucky. His birth was considered a medical miracle because he was not expected to survive. He often felt that a special plan guided his life.
He studied sociology at the University of Kentucky. He graduated with honors. Even though he was a talented basketball player, he could not join the team because African Americans were not allowed to play then.
Later, he earned a special degree called a Doctorate from Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania. While studying there, he became friends with other future leaders. These included Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Reverend Dr. Samuel D. Proctor. They were known as "Sons of Calvary" because they all worshipped at the Calvary Baptist Church.
William A. Jones Jr. also served in the United States Army. He joined in 1954 as a Private and left in 1956 as a First Lieutenant.
A Leader in the Church and Civil Rights
Reverend Dr. Jones joined Martin Luther King Jr. in 1961. They helped create a new group called the Progressive National Baptist Convention. This group was formed by ministers who wanted to be more active in the Civil Rights movement.
He was known for speaking his mind and for being a strong voice for change. In the 1960s, he became a mentor to Al Sharpton, who was a young minister at the time. Reverend Sharpton later joined the Baptist church, following Reverend Jones's path.
For 43 years, Reverend Dr. William Augustus Jones Jr. led the Bethany Baptist Church. This was a large church with 5,000 members in Brooklyn. He also had a weekly radio show called Bethany Hour. In 1979, he wrote a book titled God in the Ghetto.
Reverend Dr. William Augustus Jones Jr. passed away in 2006. He is buried in the Lexington Cemetery in Lexington, Kentucky.
See also
- Jennifer Jones Austin - His daughter
