Leon Van Dyke "We Are Great People" Quote Card

Leon Van Dyke (1934 - ) is an American civil rights activist and educator. Born in Philadelphia to a clan of trailblazers and social activists. His teenage and young adult years were challenging including arrest and imprisonment.

In the 1960s he relocated to Albany and was outraged by the blatant discrimination in job sites and voting access. He was an original founder of “The Brothers” which organized protests, served free breakfast and pre-natal healthcare clinics. The group were harassed by local police and targeted by the FBI which included years of surveillance and infiltration agents attempting to set the group up for imprisonment or violence. Leon survived an assassination attempt while left him in the hospital for months unable to speak.

Leon worked on establishing the prison education system while obtaining graduate degrees. His professional career at the NYS Education Departmen and served as a school superintendent. He remains active and outspoke at 90+ years. He is a treasured member of the isalnd’s annual Juneteneth Jubilee festivities.