Benjamin Hooks
Benjamin Hooks | |
|---|---|
Hooks in the 1970s | |
| 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 | January 31, 1925 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | April 15, 2010 (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 |
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.
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).