A civil rights icon and former NAACP president, Spearman’s death marks the loss of a passionate advocate for justice.
Rev. T. Anthony Spearman, a prominent civil rights advocate and former president of the North Carolina chapter of the NAACP, has been found dead at the age of 71, his attorney confirmed on Wednesday. Mark Cummings, a Greensboro-based lawyer representing Spearman, shared that the civil rights leader passed away on Tuesday, though he did not provide further details regarding the cause of death.
Spearman, a well-known figure in both the local and national civil rights movements, was also the former president of the North Carolina Council of Churches. Described by his attorney as “a drum major for justice,” Spearman’s life and work mirrored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “He saw the good in everyone, even those who criticized him, always finding a way to see the best in people,” Cummings stated.
The late civil rights leader’s family released a heartfelt tribute, describing him as “a man of strong conviction who loved his family with every ounce of his being.” No further comments were made by the family at this time.
Bishop William J. Barber, who succeeded Spearman as president of the North Carolina NAACP and currently serves as president of Repairers of the Breach, issued a statement mourning the loss. “I have lost a true brother in the struggle,” Barber said. “We have lost a scholar, a preacher, and a defender of voting rights, prison reform, and justice for the wrongfully accused. His efforts should be cherished.”
Spearman had faced recent controversies, including a suspension from the NAACP by the organisation’s national leadership approximately five months ago. This followed his filing of a 28-page lawsuit in June, in which he accused national NAACP President Derrick Johnson and other high-ranking officials of defamation and civil conspiracy. Spearman claimed that his support for a woman who accused a state NAACP member of sexual harassment led to an effort to oust him from his position. The lawsuit also implied that these actions were part of a wider campaign of retribution.
The individual at the centre of the harassment allegations, Rev. Curtis Gatewood, declined to confirm or deny the accusations but expressed forgiveness for Spearman’s role in the conflict. On Facebook, Gatewood wrote, “I forgave him,” adding that while they disagreed on several matters, “I loved the brother.”
Rev. Spearman’s death marks the end of a remarkable career dedicated to civil rights and social justice, leaving a void in the movement that will be felt by many across the state and beyond.
