AHF Remembers Civil Rights Lion Reverend James Lawson, Jr.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) mourns the death of Reverend James Lawson, Jr., a champion in the Civil Rights Movement and close advisor to Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Lawson, 95, passed away Sunday in Los Angeles after a brief illness.

"Reverend Lawson was an icon in the African American community. While the Senior Pastor at Holman United Methodist Church, I collaborated with members of the church's HIV/AIDS Ministry for decades focusing on HIV primary prevention as well as addressing the significant HIV/ AIDS-related stigma which was very pervasive at the time,” said Cynthia Davis, AHF Board Secretary. “Reverend Lawson spoke truth to power and always was an advocate for the disenfranchised and underserved. He will be sorely missed in the Los Angeles African American community. However, his legacy of love, faith, and commitment to social justice will live on. We extend much love, respect, and sympathy to his family and church community.”

Lawson was longtime pastor at Holman United Methodist Church in the West Adams District in South Los Angeles. He also worked as a labor movement organizer and university professor according to the Associated Press.

“James Lawson was a lion of the civil rights movement,” said Michael Weinstein, AHF President. “His vision expanded to embrace and confront discrimination of all kinds. On several occasions, AHF was honored to have him as a speaker from which we drew great inspiration.”

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global HIV and AIDS organization, provides medical care and/or services to more that 2.0 million individuals in 45 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region, and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, please visit our website, find us on Facebook, follow us on IG and Twitter, or subscribe to our “AHFter Hours” podcast.

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