Lawyer, civil rights activist. Born Percy Sutton on November 24, 1920, in San Antonio, Texas. Sutton was the youngest of 15 children born to Samuel Johnson Sutton and Lillian Sutton. Samuel was an early civil rights activist who farmed, sold real estate and owned a mattress factory, a funeral home and a skating rink— all in addition to being a full-time principal at the all-black Phyllis Wheatley High School. Lillian was a full-time educator as well.
The couple raised their family on a farm in Prairie View, Texas. All the children were given chores on the farm, in addition to their studies. Percy was responsible for milking the cows, often accompanying his father on trips to deliver milk to the poor. He also helped his father in his strides toward equality, helping to educate others about racism. His efforts made him the target of policeman and, at the age of 13, he was beaten by members of the local law enforcement for passing out N.A.A.C.P. brochures in an all-white neighborhood. Instead of discouraging him, this incident would later fuel his desire to earn equality for all races.
Thanks to his parents’ emphasis on hard work and education, Percy and all of his siblings went on to earn college degrees. As each of the older siblings established themselves professionally, they would help their younger siblings financially so that they could afford school. Although Sutton attended three different prestigious universities—Prairie View Agricultural and Mechanical College, Tuskegee Institute, and Hampton Institute—he didn’t complete his college degree. Instead, he traveled to New York at the beginning of World War II , to enlist in the Army.
While serving in the armed forces, he became an intelligence officer with the famous all-black Tuskegee Airmen, earning several combat honors. After completing his service time, Sutton was discharged honorably as a captain. After leaving the military, Sutton was determined to finish his education. He enrolled in Columbia University’s law program with the help of the G.I. bill and his previous college grades.
Sutton eventually transferred to Brooklyn Law School in order to support himself financially. In addition to his rigorous class schedule, he was employed at the post office from 4 p.m. until midnight, then worked as a subway conductor until 8:30 a.m. He then attended his law classes at 9:30 a.m. Sutton continued this hectic schedule until graduation. Shortly after law school, Sutton—who mistakenly believed he’d failed the bar exam—enlisted in the Air Force. He later learned he had passed the test required to practice law, but he was already on his way to serve in the Korean War.
After returning to civilian life in 1953, Sutton opened a law practice in Harlem. In keeping with his upbringing, Sutton threw himself into the civil rights movement, representing those who were arrested in protests in the South. It was during this time that he heard civil rights leader Malcolm X preaching equality. Sutton introduced himself, telling the activist that he would be his new lawyer. He represented Malcolm X until the civil rights leader’s assassination in 1965. After Malcolm’s death, Sutton made the leader’s funeral arrangements, and also worked to represent Malcolm’s widow, Betty Shabazz.
Preach it my brother.