Details About Ralph Abernathy: Ethnicity, Height, Nationality



Known for movies



Ralph Abernathy was born in Linden, Alabama, on March 11, 1926. He was the second of three children born to Louis and Louise Abernathy. His father was a farmer and his mother was a domestic worker. Abernathy’s early education was in the local schools of Marengo County. He excelled in his studies and was active in sports and other extracurricular activities. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at Alabama State University.

Abernathy’s college career was interrupted by World War II. He served in the U.S. Army from 1944 to 1946. Upon his return to Alabama State, he resumed his studies and became active in the campus chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He also became friends with Martin Luther King, Jr., who was also a student at the university.

After graduating from college in 1950, Abernathy became a minister. He served as pastor of several churches in Alabama and Georgia. In 1955, he and King became co-pastors of the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama.

Abernathy was an active participant in the civil rights movement. He was arrested numerous times for his participation in protests and boycotts. In 1961, he helped organize the Freedom Rides, which were designed to challenge segregation in interstate travel. He also served as one of the organizers of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

In 1964, Abernathy was elected president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), a position he held until 1967. He continued to work closely with King during this time. In 1968, King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. Abernathy took over as leader of the SCLC and helped to organize King’s funeral.

In 1969, Abernathy ran for Congress but was unsuccessful. He continued to work for civil rights and economic justice throughout his life. He died in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 17, 1990.

Source: IMDb, Wikipedia