Floyd McKissick

Floyd McKissick

Floyd Bixler McKissick (March 9, 1922 – April 28, 1991) was a prominent American civil rights leader, attorney, and politician. He is best known for his leadership in the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) and for founding the planned community of Soul City, North Carolina.

Early Life and Education

Floyd McKissick was born in Asheville, North Carolina. He attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he became involved in the civil rights movement. After serving in the United States Army during World War II, McKissick pursued a law degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, becoming the first African American to be admitted to the university's law school.

Civil Rights Activism

McKissick joined the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) in the early 1960s, a pivotal organization in the civil rights movement. In 1966, he succeeded James Farmer as the national director of CORE. Under his leadership, CORE shifted its focus towards black power and economic empowerment, reflecting the changing dynamics of the civil rights movement during that period.

Soul City Project

In the late 1960s, McKissick embarked on an ambitious project to create a new town called Soul City in Warren County, North Carolina. The project aimed to provide economic opportunities and improve living conditions for African Americans in the rural South. Despite initial support and funding from the federal government, the project faced numerous challenges and was ultimately unable to achieve its original goals.

Political Career

McKissick was also active in politics. In 1972, he became the first African American to be appointed to the North Carolina State Senate since the Reconstruction era. He served in the state senate until 1974, advocating for civil rights and economic development.

Later Life and Legacy

After his political career, McKissick continued to work as an attorney and advocate for civil rights. He passed away on April 28, 1991, in Durham, North Carolina. McKissick's contributions to the civil rights movement and his efforts to promote economic development in African American communities remain significant.

References

• "Floyd McKissick, 69, Civil Rights Leader, Dies." The New York Times, April 30, 1991.
• "Soul City: Race, Equality, and the Lost Dream of an American Utopia" by Thomas Healy.

External Links

• The New York Times Obituary
• NCpedia Biography