Benjamin Hooks
American civil rights leader and minister / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Benjamin Lawson Hooks (January 31, 1925 – April 15, 2010) was an American civil rights leader and government official. A Baptist minister and practicing attorney, he served as executive director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) from 1977 to 1992.
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Quick Facts Executive Director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Preceded by ...
Benjamin Hooks | |
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Executive Director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People | |
In office 1977–1992 | |
Preceded by | Roy Wilkins (Executive Secretary) |
Succeeded by | Benjamin Chavis |
Personal details | |
Born | (1925-01-31)January 31, 1925 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
Died | April 15, 2010(2010-04-15) (aged 85) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
Resting place | Elmwood Cemetery |
Spouse | Frances Dancy |
Children | 1 |
Relatives | Julia Britton Hooks (parental grandmother) |
Education | LeMoyne-Owen College Howard University (BA) DePaul University (JD) |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United States |
Branch/service | United States Army |
Years of service | 1944–1945 |
Rank | Staff Sergeant |
Battles/wars | World War II |
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Throughout his career, Hooks was a vocal campaigner for civil rights in the United States, and served from July 5, 1972 – July 25, 1977 as the first African American member of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).[1]