J. HERBERT LEVERETT

AND THE

CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT

As people we tend to look at history happening somewhere else, never seeing it happening among us. The articles which follow show extraordinary events happening in Hackensack during the civil rights movement in 1965.

Herbert Leverett was a man of steadfast perseverance and moral courage, which made him the perfect candidate for Hackensack 's first Negro councilman. He had graduated from Hackensack High School in 1946 in a graduating class of 325 there was only 14 Negro graduates. Most Negro's did not finish High School for various reasons, the need for money for the family, lack of opportunity in professional fields, and also most jobs of the day only required a 6 th grade education. Herb went on to graduate Newark College of engineering. After graduation he served in the Navy for three years 1952-1955 during the Korean War rising to the rank of Lieutenant in 1955. As a Navy reservist from 1955-1975, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Commander. All of these experiences helped build in him a strong persevering character which gave him the leadership qualities needed in working within the political system to bring Negro representation to Hackensack and in a deeper sense to a Nation.

The following articles show the civil rights movement in full swing. Pay attention, sometimes history is being made just down the street.

NOTE: The term Negro is used because that is Herbert Leverett's preference.

Written by:
Bob Meli
April 2006

Herbert Leverett