Major historical figures Adam Clayton Powell and Shirley Chisholm were profiled in two powerful documentary films at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum on Saturday, February 20, 2010.

The mini-film festival, presented by Civic Frame, featured Adam Clayton Powell and Chisholm ’72: Unbought and Unbossed, chronicling the lives and careers of the late Congressman Baptist preacher from Harlem, and Brooklyn Congresswoman who became the first black to run for President of the United States.

It was followed by a panel discussion of such notables as Rev. Frank Madison Reid III, former Maryland State Senator Michael Bowen Mitchell, University of Maryland Law professor Sherrilyn A. Ifill, Fred Friendly Seminars professor and producer of Adam Clayton Powell Richard Kilberg, Johns Hopkins University Political Science professor Lester K. Spence, BET Political Commentator Jeff Johnson, and Radio One Talk Show host Larry Young.

The panel explored how race, gender, religion, class, power and personalities shaped the political arena during the civil rights era, and how it impacts today.

Adam Clayton Powell was a formidable political powerhouse during the 1950’s and early 1960’s. Rising from the pulpit at Abyssian Baptist Church through his father, Powell won a Congressional seat in 1945 and wielding immense power for 16 years through his Powell amendments, guaranteeing that no legislation could be passed without it being equitable to all.

Powell was elected chairman of the powerful Education and Labor Committee in 1961, passing an unprecedented 60 pieces of legislation, more than any other lawmaker to date.

But his scandalous behavior including absenteeism, alcohol abuse, and multiple affairs led to his downfall. The rise of civil rights leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. made him doubly contentious, even vindictive, determined that he would remain as the preeminent black leader.

Congress eventually stripped Powell of his seniority and committee powers. Even his constituents, after seeing how far he had fallen from grace, elected Charles Rangel instead to New York’s 18th Congressional district seat during 1970 mid-term elections. Powell died two years later at the age of 68.

Brooklyn-born Shirley Chisholm began her professional career as an educator before  serving seven terms from 1972 to 1983 as Congresswoman from New York’s 12th Congressional district.

Against the challenges of being both black and a woman, Chisholm declared herself “unbought and unbossed,” championing for the working, poor and disenfranchised in areas such as education, health care and social services. She also fought to reduce military spending.

In 1972 she ran for the democratic nomination for President of the United States against frontrunner George McGovern, receiving a cross-section of support that included the National Organization for Women.

Upon her retirement she taught at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. She died in 2005. She was 80 years of age.

At a time of historical significance to African Americans dominated by the omnipresence of the first black to be elected to the presidency, many have forgotten, and still present generations are unaware of the significance of the two historical figures. It was the hope of many at the event that this dynamic would soon change.

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