II. FORMATION OF SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Background of Founder
Martin Luther King, Jr., was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Georgia. His name at birth was Michael Luther King, Jr. In 1935, his first name was changed to Martin. King received an A.B. degree in 1948 from Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia. He then entered Crozer Theological Seminary, Chester, Pennsylvania, where he was one of six Negroes among 100 students. He won the Plafker Award as the most outstanding student, was President of the Senior Class, and received the J. Lewis Crozer Fellowship for graduate study at the university of his choice. King graduated from Crozer Theological Seminary with a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1951 and did graduate work at Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, where he secured a Ph.D. degree in 1955.
Upon graduation, he was offered the pastorate of two Baptist churches in the East and teaching posts in three colleges. King chose the pastorate at the Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. After becoming established in his church, he founded the Montgomery Improvement Association and led local Negroes in the Montgomery Bus Boycott that attracted national attention. In March of 1957, he founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) with himself as President. He still holds that position today. He is also co-pastor of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
Subversives Attracted
Stanley Levison was attracted to King and SCLC when King gained national attention. Levison soon developed a close relationship with King and was known in King's group as "Assistant Chief." In 1961, he was assistant treasurer of SCLC.
Prior to joining forces with King, Levison led a double life for the Communist Party, USA (CPUSA). Outwardly...
