Channing E. Phillips

Channing Emery Phillips (March 23, 1928 – November 11, 1987) was an American minister, civil rights leader, and social activist based in Washington, D.C. In 1968, he was the first African American in history to be placed in nomination for president of the United States by a major political party.

Early life Phillips was born in Brooklyn. His father was a Baptist minister. He grew up in New York City and Pittsburgh. He served in the United States Army in the late-1940s. Phillips earned a bachelor's degree from Virginia Union University and a Master of Divinity from the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. He also did postgraduate work at Drew University.

Career Phillips moved to Washington, D.C., where he was a founding member of Coalition of Conscience. He also worked as a professor of divinity at Howard University. This conglomeration of local organizations worked to alleviate social problems in the capital. For seven years, Phillips served as the pastor of Lincoln Temple, United Church of Christ, in Washington.

Phillips said that his candidacy was meant to show that "the Negro vote must not be taken for granted."