Al Sharpton

October 3, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Alfred Charles Sharpton Jr., better known as Al Sharpton, is an American civil rights activist, talk show host, politician, and Baptist minister born on October 3, 1954. Sharpton is best known for leading a series of protests against racial injustice and founding the National Action Network. He is also a former candidate for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. presidential election. Sharpton hosts his “Keepin It Real” radio show as well as another talk show on cable news. He’s a well-known political figure, and his journey is worth celebrating on his birthday today!

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Alfred Charles Sharpton Jr.

Nickname:

Al Sharpton

Birth date:

October 3, 1954

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Libra

Height:

5' 10"

Relationship Status:

Divorced

Net Worth:

$500 thousand

Background

Alfred Charles Sharpton Jr., A.K.A. Al Sharpton is an American civil rights activist, talk show host, baptist minister, and political figure whose many political and spiritual ventures have earned him recognition. He’s a Libra, born on October 3, 1954, in Brooklyn, New York City. His parents are Ada Richards and Alfred Sharpton Sr., and he’s of Cherokee descent. After his father left, Sharpton’s family went from middle class to the projects. He attended Samuel J. Tilden High School and then Brooklyn College, where he dropped out in 1975.

In 1969, Jesse Jackson appointed Sharpton as the youth director of Operation Breadbasket’s New York City branch. In 1971, he founded the National Youth Movement, a platform to raise resources for impoverished youth. Sharpton was an instrumental civil rights activist who lent more than his voice to racial prejudice cases like that of Howard Beach, Bernhard Goetz, Bensonhurst, etc. In 1991, Sharpton founded the National Action Network to promote voter education. He led protests against more injustices committed in the Crown Heights riot, Freddy’s Fashion Mart, the killing of Amadou Diallo by NYPD officers, etc. In 1999, he led protests against the fatal shooting of Tyisha Miller. Several more racial injustices later, Sharpton delivered the eulogy at George Floyd’s funeral in 2020.

Sharpton is a diligent civil rights activist who has the interest of the black community at heart. He has been at the forefront of several controversies, from his comment on Mormons to his alleged role as an FBI informant. However, none of these controversies have tainted the legacy and good works of Sharpton. He married Kathy Jordan in 1980, and they separated in 2004. His present girlfriend is Aisha McShaw. Sharpton has two children. He shares his success with family and friends.

Career timeline

1969

The Youth Director Rold

Jesse Jackson appoints Sharpton as youth director of Operation Breadbasket’s New York City branch.

1991

The National Action Network is Set up

Sharpton founds the National Action Network.

1999

Sharpton Speaks Up For Tyisha Miller

He leads the protest against the fatal killing of Tyisha Miller by the police.

2020

The Eulogy at George Floyd’s Memorial

Sharpton delivers the eulogy at George Floyd’s funeral.

Why We Love Al Sharpton

He’s an activist
Sharpton advocates for multiple issues. From the civil rights movement and gay marriage to animal cruelty, and many more, Sharpton has sought reform in support of several causes.
He’s hardworking
As there’s a sufficient supply of injustice in the black community, Sharpton works overtime. He leads marches and protests for demanding change.
He’s driven
Sharpton is passionate about racial injustices. The disproportionate killings and incarceration of the black community push him to work toward social reform.

5 Surprising Facts

He preached at age four
Sharpton was just four years old when he preached his first sermon.
He worked in the music industry
Sharpton served as funk music star James Brown’s tour manager.
He got arrested
As a leader of many protests, Sharpton got arrested in 1999.
He was ordained as a child
He was ordained as a Pentecostal minister at the tender age of 10.
He got stabbed
While protesting for the Bensonhurst case, Sharpton was stabbed.