Biographies of Sisulu & Walker
WALTER SISULU is widely heralded as the father of the South African anti-apartheid liberation movement. Sisulu was responsible for recruiting Nelson Mandela into the African National Congress ("ANC") in the 1940s and together they transformed the ANC into the most important human and civil rights organization that fought for the liberation of black South Africans. Sisulu's leadership and service on behalf of his fellow countrymen put him at odds with the ruling South African government and endangered his life and the lives of his family. In 1964 Sisulu, Mandela and six others were taken from their homes, convicted of treason and sentenced to life in prison on Robben Island. During his 26 years in prison, Sisulu wrote and published a history of the ANC and mentored Mandela and other imprisoned freedom fighters. Upon his release from prison in 1991, Sisulu became Deputy President of the ANC. Later, Sisulu and Mandela campaigned in the first truly multi-racial elections in South Africa and saw their dream of black majority rule fulfilled with Mandela's installation as State President of South Africa in 1994. Sisulu remained active in the ANC following the end of his term as Deputy President. He passed away in May 2003 and is survived by his wife and partner in the struggle, Albertina Sisulu and their eight children.
DR. WYATT TEE WALKER is a renowned pastor, author, lecturer and advocate for human and civil rights. He served as executive director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference under Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the critically important years of the American civil rights movement. From September 1967 through September 2004, Dr. Walker served as Senior Pastor and CEO of the historic Canaan Baptist Church of Christ in Harlem, New York. He is a widely traveled lecturer and the author of twenty-seven books, including Common Thieves, The Harvard Paper and Soweto Diary. He is also one of the leading single developers of affordable housing in New York City and has been a key player in the physical-renaissance of Harlem. In a 1993 Ebony magazine poll, Dr. Walker was named as one of the fifteen greatest African-American preachers in the nation. Dr. Walker worked closely with Victory Schools and the founding Board of Trustees to establish our school. Now retired, Dr. Walker lives with his wife of 54 years, Theresa Ann.
|