John Hurst Adams

John Hurst Adams

At the tender age of 15 John H. Adams, Malcolm’s maternal grandfather, attended Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he received his bachelor's degree in history. After graduation, he considered a career in the law and began study toward a legal degree. Shortly thereafter, he received his call to the ministry and instead earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree of Sacred Theology from Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts. While at the university he befriended Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was also studying at the School of Theology. He would later join many demonstrations led by Dr. King and become a leader in the Civil Rights Movement. 

After leaving Boston, Adams joined the faculty at Payne Theological Seminary in Xenia, Ohio where he met future wife, Dolly Desselle, at nearby Wilberforce University, where she was chair of the Department of Elementary Education. In 1956 Adams became president of Paul Quinn College, where he served for six years. At the time of his appointment, he was the youngest college president in the nation (29 years old). During his time in Texas, Adams became active in civil rights issues, leading students and others in boycotts and sit-ins focused on integrating local businesses and the Waco public schools. In 1962 Adams was appointed pastor of First A.M.E. Church in Seattle, Washington. While serving, Adams became a leader of the civil rights movement as he was a passionate believer in equal rights and the potential of every human being to be great. In 1968, Adams was transferred to Grant A.M.E. Church in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. He continued his ministry and social justice activism, becoming involved with the NAACP and leading a freedom patrol based on his experiences leading such efforts in Seattle.

After four years as a pastor in Los Angeles, Adams was elected a bishop in the A.M.E. Church. During his over 32 years as a bishop, Adams led the A.M.E. church in Texas, South Carolina, Washington, DC/North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia. He served as the senior bishop of the church for 16 years. He mentored and developed many pastors in the church. Adams demonstrated his commitment to education as he chaired the board of trustees of several A.M.E. schools — Allen University in South Carolina, Edward Waters College in Florida, Paul Quinn College in Texas, and Morris Brown College in Georgia. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta, Georgia.  

Adams was the recipient of nine honorary doctorates and numerous leadership awards. Throughout his career, Adams was recognized for his eloquence, independent and critical thinking, strong administrative skills, commitment, and his faith-based, spirit-driven approach to all he did.  

John and Dolly Adams had three daughters and ensured that they had the love, support, education, and foundation of values upon which to build good lives. Adams demanded excellence from all around him, including educational excellence, and believed that education opened the doors to a good life. He ensured that his daughters and grandchildren, including Malcolm, pursued excellence in education and he provided a living example of hard work, excellence, service, and commitment to God.