Press Releases

Today, we join the world in mourning the passing of Civil Rights leader Rev. Joseph Lowery.

Rev. Lowery, fondly known as the “dean” of the civil rights movement, was a pastor, an organizer of the March on Washington, co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, leader of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, and member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. 

In 2009, Rev. Lowery delivered the benediction at President Obama’s Inauguration and later that year President Obama presented him with the nation's highest honor, the Medal of Freedom.

Rev. Lowery dedicated his life to the fight against racial injustices, giving a voice to important issues faced by Black people, most especially the brutality within the criminal justice system towards Black men. 

Even in his later years, he never stopped working to empower people to unite and fight for equality for all. In 2013, at the age of 91 Rev. Lowery celebrated the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, leading the crowd to chant “Fired Up, Ready to Go?.”For Rev. Lowery, older age was no reason to relent in his efforts. 

While we will miss him here on earth, we will never forget his legacy and we will continue to advocate for all that he stood for.