Detroit Today: Remembering Detroit’s ‘Harvard Hooper,’ Rev. Charles Adams

Detroiters and people around the world are continuing to mourn the loss of Rev. Charles G. Adams, retired pastor of Detroit’s influential Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, who died last week after succumbing to a long illness. He was 86.

Known by many as “the Harvard Hooper” for his “Ivy League intellect and animated preaching style,” he was a hugely influential and respected figure in Detroit’s church community and beyond, as well as in various social movements — at one time working as an aide to Martin Luther King Jr. Adams was also a vocal opponent of South African apartheid, and led an economic boycott of Dearborn when the city closed its parks to nonresidents.

Kim Trent grew up listening to Reverend Adams’ sermons, and recently wrote a piece in the Detroit Free Press titled, “Rev. Charles Adams was more than a pastor. He was a legend.” Trent joined Detroit Today on Monday to discuss who he was, and what he meant to Detroiters.

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Guest:

Kim Trent recently wrote an article in the Detroit Free Press about the life of Rev. Charles Adams. She says, among other things, he was a prominent activist and role model to her when she was growing up. 

“He’s someone who, I think, made me want to strive for academic excellence, made me want to untap the incredible power of the English language, made me want to be fully committed to social justice and fighting for folks who are marginalized,” said Trent.

Listen to Detroit Today with host Stephen Henderson weekdays from 9-10 a.m. ET on 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand.