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Claude William Black, Jr.
Minister, Civil Rights Leader
by Wanda Littles
Born in 1916 to Claude and Cora Black, Claude Black, Jr. grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and attended public schools at Brackenridge and Douglas. At an early age he knew he wanted to be a preacher as well as someone who would help to bring about change in the segregated society in which he lived.To that end, Black received a B.S. from Morehouse University. He wanted to pursue advanced training but opportunities, even in a religious context, were few and sub-standard or at worst, non-existent for African Americans in most of Texas. After a lengthy search, he was finally accepted to the Andover Newton Theological Seminary in Newton Center, Massachusetts. Learning to assess people without pre-conceived notions learned from family and society, but by what you observe of their character is a lesson that both he and his white roommate had to learn. It enabled them both to see each other with new eyes and a bond of peace and friendship was born. With this vision Black went back home.Black became the pastor of Mt.Zion First Baptist Church and aligned himself with the Baptist Minister's Union, where as its president, he was successful in getting the city council to pass ordinances allowing African-Americans access to public accommodations, integrate schools, and obtain fair housing by non-violent means.Throughout the late 1950s and '60s, the Rev. Black led and organized marches throughout the city. Many of his battles took years before change could be seen, but Claude William Black, Jr. believed change would come and never gave up the fight. He served on the City Council from 1973 to 1978 and was mayor pro tempore of San Antonio.After 49 years as a faithful and faith-filled pastor, Black retired. However, he now serves as Pastor Emeritus of his beloved Mt. Zion First Baptist Church.
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Wanda Littles
Contributing Writer
Wanda Littles is a poet, freelance writer, author, and radio announcer. She has published two volumes of Christian poetry, That I Might Be Free and Color Blind: Psalms of Life. Her work has also been featured in Focus on the Family?s children?s magazine, Clubhouse Jr. and Time of Singing: A Magazine of Christian Poetry. She has completed a third book of poetry and is working on a novel. She has appeared on "Praise the Lord" on KHCE TV. Wanda and her husband reside in San Antonio. Visit www.wandaLittles.com.
wanda_littles@sbcglobal.net
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