Rev. Joseph Lowery, civil rights activist and co-founder of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, in 2011. The Washington Post via Getty Images ...

Joseph Echols Lowery was born Oct. 6, 1921, in Huntsville, Ala., and grew up within steps of a Methodist church. His father owned small businesses and his mother taught school part time.

Joseph Lowery, center, marches with Coretta Scott King, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Michael Dukakis, his wife Kitty and Mayor Andrew Young of Atlanta in 1988 during the 25th anniversary of Dr. King's ...

Joseph Echols Lowery was born in Huntsville, Alabama, on October 6, 1921. His father owned a small business, and his mother was a part-time schoolteacher. He married Evelyn Gibson in 1950.

ESSENCE.com talked with civil rights activist, the Reverend Joseph Lowery, for his take on the role that race plays in anti-Obama sentiment–and how much it really matters.

Five years ago on the same date, March 27, our nation lost the “Dean of the Civil Rights Movement,” the Rev. Joseph Lowery.When Joe was about 11 years old in 1930s Alabama, a policeman hit him ...