A book Dr. Brinson holds shows a photo of him with his friend and older-brother figure he called “M.L.”
By John D. Pierce
While millions visit Atlanta each year to learn about the Civil Rights Movement, few get the personal perspective of a participant in the struggle that defined our nation. That unique opportunity will be available on Thursday, Sept. 14.
Dr. Albert Paul Brinson will share firsthand experiences and provide personal insights as we visit historic sites including Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he served as assistant pastor to Drs. Martin Luther King Sr. and Jr., from 1963 to 1967.
Other sites will include the King Center, Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College, the Atlanta University Center Library exhibit and Student Movement Boulevard.
As a student at Morehouse College, young Albert was one of the organizers of the Atlanta Student Movement and served as communication chair for the Appeal for Human Rights Committee.
He appeared on the cover of The Atlanta Journal on March 9, 1960, after being arrested for participating in the well-executed sit-in at an Atlanta restaurant. Dr. King Sr. bailed him out of jail that night — an intriguing story you will hear.
Throughout the 1960s Albert Brinson participated in nonviolent protests for human rights including the Birmingham demonstrations, the 1963 March On Washington, and the Selma to Montgomery March.
His pastor and father figure, Dr. Martin Luther King Sr., and older brother figure, Dr. M.L. King Jr., were mentors in life and ministry.
Later Dr. Brinson served churches in New York and Virginia and retired as Associate General Secretary For American Baptist Churches USA. Returning to Atlanta in retirement, he is again a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church that shaped him from childhood through young adulthood.
This is a unique opportunity to spend time with a living source to learn about the past and continuing struggle for human rights and justice for all.
Registration information will be forthcoming. But I wanted you to get the date of Thursday, Sept. 14, on your calendar to be in Atlanta.
Nurturing Faith Experience: A Day with Dr. Albert Paul Brinson will begin at 9 am at Second-Ponce de Leon Baptist Church and conclude there around 4:30 pm.
We will travel by charter bus to the various sites — including a private buffet luncheon at historic Paschal’s Restaurant that served as an unofficial communications center of the movement.
This will be a memorable day. Please plan to join us. I’ll let you know when registration is in place.
Director of the Jesus Worldview Initiative at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee and former executive editor and publisher at Good Faith Media.