Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Al Sharpton

How Al Sharpton built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Al Sharpton is a prominent American civil rights and social justice activist, Baptist minister, radio talk show host, and television personality. He founded the National Action Network, a leading civil rights organization. Sharpton ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004. He currently hosts the nationally syndicated radio show 'Keepin' It Real' and is a political analyst and weekend host for MSNBC's 'PoliticsNation.' He remains a significant voice on issues of race, justice, and equality in the United States.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1969: Youth Director Appointment

In 1969, Al Sharpton was appointed by Jesse Jackson to serve as youth director of the New York City branch of Operation Breadbasket, an organization focused on promoting new and better jobs for African Americans.

1969: Youth Director of Operation Breadbasket

In 1969, Jesse Jackson appointed Al Sharpton as the youth director of the Brooklyn branch of Operation Breadbasket, the economic arm of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

1971: Befriends James Brown

In 1971, Al Sharpton befriended singer James Brown, who later became his tour manager, and who taught him to "be dramatic in order to get people to see things that they are not inclined to see."

1971: Founds National Youth Movement

In 1971, Al Sharpton founded the National Youth Movement to raise resources for impoverished youth.

1972: Youth Director for Presidential Campaign

In 1972, Al Sharpton accepted the position of youth director for the presidential campaign of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm.

1973: Tour Manager for James Brown

Between 1973 and 1980, Al Sharpton served as James Brown's tour manager.

1974: Soul Train Appearance

In 1974, Al Sharpton made a nationally televised appearance with James Brown on an episode of "Soul Train".

1980: End of Tour Management

Between 1973 and 1980, Al Sharpton served as James Brown's tour manager.

1981: Meeting with Reagan

In 1981, James Brown challenged Al Sharpton to join him in meeting with U.S. President Ronald Reagan to push for a national Martin Luther King Day holiday.

1988: Run for US Senate

In 1988, Al Sharpton ran for a United States Senate seat from New York.

1991: Founds National Action Network

In 1991, Al Sharpton founded the National Action Network (NAN), an organization designed to increase voter education, provide services to those in poverty, and support small community businesses.

1992: Second Run for US Senate

In 1992, Al Sharpton made a second unsuccessful run for a United States Senate seat from New York. During his 1992 bid, he and his wife lived in a home in Englewood, New Jersey, though he said his residence was an apartment in Brooklyn.

1994: Third Run for US Senate

In 1994, Al Sharpton made a third unsuccessful run for a United States Senate seat from New York.

1994: Re-Baptism as Baptist

In 1994, Al Sharpton was re-baptized as a member of the Bethany Baptist Church by the Reverend William Augustus Jones and became a Baptist minister.

1997: Run for Mayor of New York City

In 1997, Al Sharpton ran for Mayor of New York City.

1999: Appearance in Documentary

In 1999, Al Sharpton appeared in a documentary about black nationalism hosted by Louis Theroux, as part of the "Weird Weekends" series.

2004: Presidential Candidate

In 2004, Al Sharpton was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. presidential election.

2004: Presidential Campaign Public Funds

In 2004, Sharpton's campaign received public funds from the federal government, which he later had to repay due to exceeding federal limits on personal expenditures.

2004: Supported Equal Rights for Gays and Lesbians

In 2004, during his presidential campaign, Al Sharpton expressed support for equal rights for gays and lesbians and same-sex marriage, viewing the issue of gay marriage as a fundamental human right.

June 2005: Contract with Matrix Media

In June 2005, Al Sharpton signed a contract with Matrix Media to produce and host a live two-hour daily talk program, but it never aired.

November 2005: Signing with Radio One

In November 2005, Al Sharpton signed with Radio One to host a daily national talk radio program.

2005: Appearance at Tony Awards

During the 2005 Tony Awards, Al Sharpton appeared in a number put on by the cast of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

2005: Appearance in TV Ads for Fernando Ferrer

In 2005, Al Sharpton appeared in television ads for the Fernando Ferrer campaign for the New York City mayoral election.

January 30, 2006: Start of Radio Program

On January 30, 2006, Al Sharpton's daily national talk radio program, entitled Keepin It Real with Al Sharpton, began airing on Radio One.

September 2007: Commented on the Importance of a Black President

In September 2007, Al Sharpton stated that it would be a great moment to have a black president as long as the candidate supported interests that would help black people, expressing a cautious but warming view towards Barack Obama.

2007: Decision Not to Enter 2008 Presidential Race

In 2007, Al Sharpton announced that he would not enter the 2008 presidential race.

2008: Year of Presidential Race Sharpton Did Not Enter

Al Sharpton said in 2007 that he would not enter the 2008 presidential race.

2008: Michael Hardy became General Counsel of National Action Network

In 2008, Michael Hardy became General Counsel of National Action Network, having already been serving as Executive Vice President.

2009: Appearance on Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List

In 2009, Al Sharpton appeared on an episode of Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, helping Kathy Griffin prepare for and introducing her performance at the Apollo Theater.

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August 28, 2010: March Commemorating the Anniversary of the March on Washington

On August 28, 2010, Al Sharpton and other civil rights leaders led a march to commemorate the 47th anniversary of the historic March on Washington. Thousands marched five miles to the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

August 29, 2011: Host of PoliticsNation

On August 29, 2011, Al Sharpton became the host of PoliticsNation on MSNBC.

2014: Pushed for Criminal Justice Reform

In 2014, Al Sharpton began a push for criminal justice reform, citing the disproportionate representation of black people in arrests and incarcerations.

2014: Described as Adviser to President Obama

In 2014, Glenn Thrush of Politico described Al Sharpton as an "adviser" to President Barack Obama and as Obama's "go-to man" on racial issues.

October 2015: PoliticsNation Moved to Sunday Mornings

In October 2015, the MSNBC show PoliticsNation, hosted by Al Sharpton, was moved to Sunday mornings.

2016: Grace Church Websites Launched

In 2016, Boise Kimber, an associate of Al Sharpton and a member of his NAN national board, along with Don Vaccaro, launched Grace Church Websites, a non-profit organization that helps churches create and launch their own websites.

August 28, 2017: Organized Ministers March for Justice

On August 28, 2017, Al Sharpton organized the Ministers March for Justice in Washington, D.C., delivering a "unified moral rebuke" to President Donald Trump, coinciding with the fifty-fourth anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech.

December 2022: Hosted 15 Days of Light Ceremony

In December 2022, Al Sharpton, along with other leaders, hosted 15 Days of Light, celebrating Hanukkah and Kwanzaa in a unifying ceremony at Carnegie Hall to combat racism and antisemitism.