Knight speaking to reporters at the 65th Greensboro Four Sit-In Anniversary
Nathan Knight is a lifelong civil rights activist and the sitting president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. At 11 years old, Knight met Dr. Martin Luther King, who then inspired him to dedicate his life to leadership, advocacy and community organizing.
"“If it wasn’t for me meeting Dr. King, I would have never known my true calling in life.”
Knight Protesting with the SCLC
As a Greensboro native, Knight has always been influenced by social justice movements. During his adolescent years, Knight was a paperboy and frequently sold Black owned newspapers to students at Bennett College and North Carolina A&T. It was at Bennet where Knight met Dr. King and decided to really engage with the movements around him.
“Everywhere around me movements were happening, it was just a matter of how I was to get involved.”
Knight protesting with the SCLC
From 1964-1967, Knight attended North Carolina A&T State University and was extremely involved on and off campus. Knight was a biology major studying zoology and he participated in Biology Club and Air Force ROTC.
Instead of choosing to finish his last year at A&T, Knight decided to get married and start his own business. However, that didn’t stop him from engaging with the A&T community. Knight bought his first home from his zoology professor, Thomas Mcfadden, and purchased his office space for his business, ‘Knight Acoustical Systems’ from Ezell Blair Sr.
Knight protesting with the SCLC
After spending much of his life in Greensboro, Knight decided to relocate to his current home, Atlanta, Ga. Since being in Atlanta, Knight has continued to be an active community servant and is the president of the Southern Christian leadership Conference. Knight has been in his position for many years and has made a number of unforgettable bonds with members of the organization.
“These people are my family. I wear red for the blood they’ve shed and blue for their sacrifice,” said Knight in regards to the members of the SCLC frequently wearing the colors red and blue.
Knight's paintings on display in Savannah, Ga
At age 55, Knight took up painting as a way to clear his mind and ground himself from his busy life of political struggle. Since then, he’s painted dozens of murals of iconic Black individuals which he’s showcased all around Georgia.
“Painting is my peace. I wish it didn’t take so long for me to find it.”
Knight speaking to young journalist, Kani'ya Davis
Now that Knight is 78, he’s given a lot of consideration to what kind of mark he’ll leave on the world. He hopes that he can pass the torch of struggle to the next generation so that we can all be liberated.
“If you want change, you have to step into leadership. You can’t just sit back and think that somebody else is going to do it. You are the leader.”