These are the people that rose to confront society because of the Freedom Riders. These leaders were the embodiment of equality as they rallied the people of the United States to leave an impact on the world. The ever-increasing need for equality manifested through these people, opening the gateway of change.
John Lewis
John Lewis was born in February of 1940 in Alabama. He's the only living member of the famous "Big Six" Civil Rights Leaders, as he was a zealous young man and part of the original freedom riders in his youth (approximately 1960). He was a chairman of the SNCC at this time. As a member of the SNCC, he helped advocate Civil Rights by supporting the construction of a Freedom School, as well as by advocating voter rights. He was also present during Bloody Sunday.
Today, John Lewis serves as a Congressman for the US as a Democrat. He has won many awards, including the Wallenberg Medal and the Profile in Courage Award- both of which are extreme honors to be bestowed upon anyone.
Stokely Carmichael
Carmichael was born in June, 1941 in Trinidad in Tobago (he later moves to Harlem, New York to live with his parents). He was a magnificent leader for the Pan-African movement, was part of the SNCC along with Lewis, and later became the Prime Minister of the Black Panther Party. He also had founded the All-African Peoples Revolutionary Party.
Carmichael embodied a more assertive approach toward equality. He was known for popularizing the saying, "Hell-no, we won't go!" which referred o the Vietnam drafting (making him a part of the counter-culture). One thing I found interesting about Carmichael is that he traveled around the world with his stories and teachings- visiting China, North Vietnam, and Cuba.
Catherine Burks-Brooks
Not only African-American, but also a woman, Catherine Burks-Brooks is one of the many people that are not credited enough for their contributions to the Civil Rights movement. Although she was only a part of the Nashville movement, her sassy and upright personality drew the attention of many when a white man had threatened to stub a cigarette in her face, and she responded by singing a popular freedom song: "We Will Not Be Moved".