The Militant Young Minister

During 1940–1950, Reverend Clayton D. Russell was a leading African American pastor in Los Angeles and one of the city’s most prominent “race men,” advocating for African Americans in jobs, transportation, civil rights, and education. He also ran for public office and served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. His primary platform was the pastorship of the People’s Independent Church of Christ. He also headed the Negro Victory Committee, which was both an advocacy group and a protest organization; and served as president of the Negro Victory Markets, a food cooperative for African Americans in Los Angeles. Russell’s ministry served both the sacred and the secular interests of African Americans in Los Angeles during the 1940s. He was very successful in using his radio ministry to speak to and advocate for African American interests.