Wilkins, Roy (1901-1981), was a noted African American activist who was often called “Mr. Civil Rights.” Wilkins served as executive secretary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) from 1955 to 1977. He helped direct the fight for equal rights and opportunities for blacks. Wilkins believed that blacks could advance in society without resorting to violence and separatism. He opposed the aggressive aspects of the Black Power doctrine, favored by Stokely Carmichael and others. Wilkins was one of several black leaders who helped organize the 1963 March on Washington. In 1964, Wilkins was awarded the Spingarn Medal for his work in civil rights.
Wilkins was born on Aug. 30, 1901, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the grandson of a slave. In 1923, Wilkins graduated from the University of Minnesota. He worked for an African American newspaper, The (Kansas City, Kansas) Call, before joining the NAACP in 1931. Wilkins edited the NAACP magazine The Crisis from 1934 to 1949. He died on Aug. 4, 1981.
