Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (1908 – 1972), the pioneering civil rights leader and iconic Congressman for Harlem, died April 4, 1972 at age 63. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut on Nov. 29, 1908, to Adam Clayton Powell Sr. and Mattie Buster. Powell’s parents were prominent African-American leaders in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Powell began his life of activism early in life, enrolling at Colgate University at age 16 and graduating from Columbia University in 1927. He served as pastor at the Abyssinian Baptist Church, and was the first African-American parliamentarian of the United Nations. In 1944, Powell was elected to the United States House of Representatives, becoming the first African-American congressman to represent New York. There, he advocated for civil rights in the face of overwhelming obstacles, sponsored bills to fight workplace discrimination, reform welfare programs, and established the first African-American congressional leadership. Additionally, Powell was an outspoken opponent of the Vietnam War, economic inequality and poverty. He was also a strong advocate for urban renewal and black economic empowerment. Powell's death brought an end to a decades-long career of servant leadership for the people of America. He is survived by his sons, Adam Clayton Powell III and Adam Clayton Powell IV. A memorial service will be held on April 11, 1972, at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem.