Early Life and Education of Al Sharpton: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Al Sharpton, highlighting the experiences that shaped 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

1925: Ada Richards Born

In 1925, Ada Richards, who would later become Alfred Sharpton Jr.'s mother, was born.

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1931: Alfred Charles Sharpton Sr. Born

In 1931, Alfred Charles Sharpton Sr., the father of Alfred Charles Sharpton Jr., was born.

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1934: William Jones Born

In 1934, William Jones was born, later becoming a mentor to Sharpton during his teenage years.

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1941: Calvin Morris Born

In 1941, Calvin Morris was born, later becoming one of the people that Al Sharpton credited with starting his activism.

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October 3, 1954: Alfred Sharpton Jr. Born

On October 3, 1954, Alfred Charles Sharpton Jr. was born. He is known as an American civil rights and social justice activist, Baptist minister, radio talk show host, and TV personality, and the founder of the National Action Network civil rights organization.

Others born on this day/year

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.

1968: Martin Luther King Jr. Assassination

In 1968, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. A claim which Sharpton made about meeting Martin Luther King Jr., has not been supported by historical evidence.

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.

1971: Founds National Youth Movement

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

1971: Meeting Future Wife Kathy Jordan

In 1971, Al Sharpton met his future wife, Kathy Jordan, who was a backing singer while he was touring with James Brown.

1972: Youth Director for Presidential Campaign

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

1975: Drops out of Brooklyn College

In 1975, Al Sharpton dropped out of Brooklyn College after two years of attendance.

1980: Marriage to Kathy Jordan

In 1980, Al Sharpton married Kathy Jordan.

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.

1988: Altercation on The Morton Downey Jr. Show

In 1988, during an appearance on The Morton Downey Jr. Show, Al Sharpton and Roy Innis got into a heated argument and Innis shoved Sharpton to the floor.

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.

1992: Riccardi's Assault Conviction

In 1992, Riccardi was convicted of first-degree assault. Al Sharpton asked the judge for leniency when sentencing Riccardi.

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.

January 8, 2001: Riccardi's Parole Release

Riccardi was released on parole on January 8, 2001, after serving ten years in prison for first-degree assault.

December 2003: Settlement with New York City

In December 2003, Al Sharpton reached a $200,000 settlement with New York City regarding the failure of police to protect him from an attacker.

2004: Separation from Kathy Jordan

In 2004, Al Sharpton and Kathy Jordan separated.

2004: Presidential Candidate

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

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.

February 2007: Discovery of Slave Ancestry

In February 2007, it was discovered that Al Sharpton's great-grandfather, Coleman Sharpton, was a slave owned by a relative of Strom Thurmond.

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: Public Debate with Christopher Hitchens

During 2007, Al Sharpton participated in a public debate with atheist writer Christopher Hitchens, defending his religious faith and his belief in the existence of God.

March 11, 2008: Press Conference on Unequal Treatment in Florida Rape Case

On March 11, 2008, Al Sharpton held a press conference to highlight what he described as unequal treatment of four young black men suspected of rape in a high-profile crime in West Palm Beach, Florida.

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.

June 2011: Spoke at Rally in Support of Tanya McDowell

In June 2011, Al Sharpton spoke at a rally in support of Tanya McDowell, who was arrested for allegedly registering her son for kindergarten in the wrong public school district using a false address.

2012: Led Protests After Killing of Trayvon Martin

In 2012, following the killing of Trayvon Martin, Al Sharpton led protests and rallies criticizing the Sanford Police Department's handling of the shooting and called for George Zimmerman's arrest. Following Zimmerman's acquittal, Sharpton denounced the verdict and held rallies calling for "Justice for Trayvon".

July 2013: Report of Sharpton's Girlfriend, Aisha McShaw

In July 2013, the New York Daily News reported that Al Sharpton had a self-described "girlfriend", Aisha McShaw, while still married to Kathy Jordan.

July 2014: Organized Protest After Death of Eric Garner

Following the July 2014 death of Eric Garner, Al Sharpton organized a peaceful protest in Staten Island on July 19 and condemned the police's use of a chokehold. Sharpton led a peaceful march along Bay Street in Staten Island with over 5,000 people.

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.

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 2017: Called for Removal of Jefferson Memorial

In August 2017, Al Sharpton called for the federal government to stop maintaining the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C., due to Thomas Jefferson's history as a slave owner.

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.

2017: Credits Influences

In 2017, Al Sharpton credited Jesse Jackson, Rev. Herb Daughtry, and Rev. Calvin Morris as the people who "started my activism."

June 4, 2020: Delivered Eulogy at George Floyd's Funeral

On June 4, 2020, Al Sharpton delivered a eulogy at the funeral of George Floyd, calling for justice for the policemen involved and criticizing President Donald Trump's response.

April 20, 2021: Led Prayer After Derek Chauvin's Conviction

On April 20, 2021, following the conviction of Derek Chauvin for murdering George Floyd, Al Sharpton led prayer with the Floyd family in Minneapolis.

2021: Divorce Filing from Kathy Jordan

More than 16 years after their separation, in 2021, Al Sharpton filed for divorce from Kathy Jordan.

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.

February 2, 2023: Delivered Eulogy at Tyre Nichols' Funeral

On February 2, 2023, Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy at the funeral of Tyre Nichols, calling on lawmakers to approve the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.