CO-FOUNDER OF THE NATIONAL COALITION ON BLACK CIVIC PARTICIPATION
Dr. Lowery Also Co-Founded Southern Christian Leadership Conference with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
WASHINGTON, DC (March 28, 2020) — Melanie L. Campbell, President & CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation (NCBCP) and National Convener of the Black Women’s Roundtable (BWR) offered the following thoughts about the passing of Rev. Joseph E. Lowery, who was a co-founder of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Georgia Coalition for the Peoples Agenda and other civil rights and social justice organizations. Dr. Lowery was known as the “Dean of the Civil Rights Movement.”
“Yesterday, our nation and world lost a giant and icon in the struggle for civil rights, human rights and justice for all people. I was blessed to be mentored by Dr. Lowery as he served as a founding board member for the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, that was founded in May 1976. I also was blessed to work for him when he served as president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in the 1990s.
“What I remember most about Dr. Lowery was he taught me and so many others—the power of unity, the power of working together and the power of coalitions, to move our Black agenda forward in good times and in bad times. My favorite quote by Dr. Lowery that motivated generations to keep up the fight for justice was: ‘We ain’t going back. We’ve come too far, marched too long, prayed too hard, wept too bitterly, bled too profusely and died too young, to let anybody turn back the clock on our journey to justice.’ Truer words have never been spoken. During these extremely turbulent times, Dr. Lowery’s fire, wisdom, commitment and presence will be sorely missed.
“Further, we lift up Dr. Lowery’s family in our prayers and condolences in the loss of their loved one. Thank you Dr. Lowery for your servant leadership, ministry and your unwavering commitment to ‘Redeem the Soul of America.’ We pledge to keep your legacy alive by continuing to do the good work by fighting for civil rights, voting rights, workers’ rights, women’s rights, human rights, economic & social justice, criminal justice & gun reform, social justice and so much more. Rest in peace and power.”
