Challenges in the Life of Al Sharpton in a Detailed Timeline

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Al Sharpton. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

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

1963: Father Leaves Family

In 1963, Sharpton's father left his wife to have a relationship with Sharpton's half-sister. Ada then took a job as a maid, and the family moved to public housing in Brooklyn.

1983: Became FBI Informant

In 1983, Al Sharpton became an FBI informant, referred to as "CI-7" in FBI documents, following his role in a drug sting involving Colombo crime family captain Michael Franzese.

December 22, 1984: Bernhard Goetz Shooting

On December 22, 1984, Bernhard Goetz shot four African-American men on a New York City Subway 2 train. Al Sharpton led marches protesting what he saw as the weak prosecution of the case, arguing the actions were racist and requesting a federal civil rights investigation. The investigation concluded the shooting was due to an attempted robbery and not race.

December 20, 1986: Howard Beach Assault

On December 20, 1986, three African-American men were assaulted in the Howard Beach neighborhood of Queens by a mob of white men, one of whom, Michael Griffith, was killed by a passing motorist while fleeing.

November 28, 1987: Tawana Brawley Incident

On November 28, 1987, Tawana Brawley was found smeared with feces and with slurs written on her body, claiming she had been assaulted and raped by six white men, in Wappinger, New York.

1988: Run for US Senate

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

1988: Informed for Government to Stem Crack Cocaine Flow

In 1988, Al Sharpton stated that he informed for the government in order to stem the flow of crack cocaine into black neighborhoods, denying that he informed on civil rights leaders.

August 23, 1989: Bensonhurst Beating and Murder

On August 23, 1989, in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, four African-American teenagers were beaten by a group of white Italian-American youths, and one of the Bensonhurst residents fatally shot 16-year-old Yusef Hawkins.

May 1990: Bensonhurst Protest

In May 1990, Al Sharpton led another protest through Bensonhurst after one of the leaders of the mob involved in the Yusef Hawkins case was acquitted of the most serious charges.

January 12, 1991: Assault on Sharpton

On January 12, 1991, before a planned demonstration, neighborhood resident Michael Riccardi tried to kill Al Sharpton by stabbing him in the chest. Sharpton recovered and asked for leniency for Riccardi, but the judge rejected his request.

January 1991: Planned March

In January 1991, Al Sharpton planned another march for January 12, 1991, after other members of the gang involved in the Yusef Hawkins case were given light sentences.

August 19, 1991: Crown Heights Riot Begins

On August 19, 1991, the Crown Heights riot began after a car driven by a Jewish man accidentally struck and killed a seven-year-old Guyanese boy named Gavin Cato. Caribbean-American and African-American residents rioted for four consecutive days, and Yankel Rosenbaum was stabbed and killed by a member of a mob.

1992: Derogatory Remarks About Black Politicians

In 1992, Al Sharpton derided moderate black politicians close to the Democratic Party as "cocktail sip Negroes" or "yellow niggers."

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.

1993: Guilty plea for failing to file state income tax return

In 1993, Al Sharpton pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor for failing to file a state income tax return.

February 13, 1994: Controversial Comments at Kean University

On February 13, 1994, Al Sharpton made controversial comments at Kean University, including statements about white people and homosexuals, which he later defended but no longer uses the term.

1994: Third Run for US Senate

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

December 8, 1995: Freddie's Fashion Mart Shooting and Fire

On December 8, 1995, Roland J. Smith Jr., one of the protesters, entered Freddie's Fashion Mart with a gun and flammable liquid, shot several customers, set the store on fire, and then fatally shot himself. Seven store employees died of smoke inhalation.

1995: Freddie's Fashion Mart Protest

In 1995, Al Sharpton led a protest against the planned eviction of The Record Shack, a black-owned record store, from Freddie's Fashion Mart, telling protesters, "We will not stand by and allow them to move this brother so that some white interloper can expand his business."

1997: Run for Mayor of New York City

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

December 1998: Tyisha Miller Shooting

In December 1998, Tyisha Miller, a 19-year-old African-American woman, was fatally shot by police in Riverside, California, sparking protests in May 1999 which Sharpton participated in.

May 1999: Tyisha Miller Protests

In May 1999, Al Sharpton, along with Jesse Jackson and other activists, protested the December 1998 fatal police shooting of Tyisha Miller in Riverside, California. Sharpton participated in protests which reached their zenith when protestors spilled onto the busy SR 91, completely stopping traffic, and Sharpton was arrested for his participation and leadership in these protests.

1999: Amadou Diallo Protest

In 1999, Al Sharpton led a protest to raise awareness about the death of Amadou Diallo, who was shot dead by NYPD officers. Sharpton claimed Diallo's death was the result of police brutality and racial profiling. Diallo's family was later awarded $3 million in a wrongful death suit.

May 25, 2001: Imprisonment

On May 25, 2001, Al Sharpton was imprisoned at Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn, for trespassing while protesting against U.S. military target practice exercises in Puerto Rico.

2002: Ousmane Zongo Protests

In 2002, Al Sharpton was involved in protests following the death of West African immigrant Ousmane Zongo, who was shot by an undercover police officer. Sharpton met with the family and provided some legal services.

2002: FBI Videotape of Undercover Sting Operation Aired

In 2002, HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel aired a 19-year-old FBI videotape showing Al Sharpton with an undercover FBI agent posing as a Latin American drug lord, during which a potential drug deal was discussed, but no charges were brought against Sharpton.

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.

January 1, 2005: Campaign Debts

As of January 1, 2005, Federal Election Commission filings stated that Al Sharpton's campaign still had debts of $479,050 and owed Sharpton himself $145,146 for "Fundraising Letter Preparation — Kinko's".

December 15, 2005: Agreement to Repay Public Funds

On December 15, 2005, Al Sharpton agreed to repay $100,000 in public funds he received from the federal government for his 2004 presidential campaign.

November 25, 2006: Sean Bell Shooting

On November 25, 2006, Sean Bell was shot and killed in Queens, New York, by plainclothes detectives, sparking fierce criticism of the police.

May 7, 2007: Accusations of Bigotry in Debate with Christopher Hitchens

During 2007, Al Sharpton was accused of bigotry for comments he made in a debate with Christopher Hitchens on May 7, 2007, concerning presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his Mormonism.

2007: Reflections on Brawley Case

In 2007, Al Sharpton said that if he had it to do over again, he might not have attacked Pagones personally, but would otherwise have handled the Brawley case the same way, disagreeing with the grand jury's decision.

May 7, 2008: Coordinated Peaceful Protests in New York City

On May 7, 2008, Al Sharpton coordinated peaceful protests at major river crossings in New York City, including the Brooklyn Bridge, Queensboro Bridge, Triborough Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Holland Tunnel, and Queens–Midtown Tunnel, in response to acquittals of officers. Sharpton and about 200 others were arrested for blocking traffic and resisting police orders.

May 9, 2008: Report of Unpaid Taxes and Penalties

On May 9, 2008, the Associated Press reported that Al Sharpton and his businesses owed almost $1.5 million in unpaid taxes and penalties.

2008: Sean Bell Trial

In 2008, the trial of three detectives involved in the 2006 shooting death of Sean Bell concluded with a not guilty verdict.

2009: Taxes assessed during 2009

In 2009, according to a report, a lien was related to taxes assessed during the year.

2009: FEC Fine for Campaign Finance Violations

In 2009, the Federal Election Commission announced a $285,000 fine against Al Sharpton's 2004 presidential campaign team for breaking campaign finance rules during his bid for president.

September 29, 2010: IRS Files Tax Lien Against Sharpton

On September 29, 2010, it was reported that the Internal Revenue Service filed a notice of federal tax lien against Al Sharpton in New York City for over $538,000.

October 15, 2010: Extended Due Date for Sharpton's 2009 Federal Income Tax Return

October 15, 2010, was the extended due date for Sharpton's 2009 federal income tax return, according to his lawyer, which related to the federal tax lien filed against Sharpton.

April 2014: Documents Revealed Sharpton as FBI Informant

In April 2014, documents obtained by The Smoking Gun indicated that Al Sharpton became an FBI informant in 1983, contributing to indictments of underworld figures.

November 2014: Report of Owed State and Federal Taxes

In November 2014, according to The New York Times, Al Sharpton and his for-profit businesses owed $4.5 million in state and federal taxes.

2021: Criticized for Tobacco Industry Ties

In 2021, Al Sharpton faced criticism for leading a tobacco industry pushback against a proposed ban on menthol cigarettes, while his National Action Network accepted funding from tobacco companies.