Rev. Donald L. Tucker

Rev. Donald L. Tucker stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Medgar Evers during the most volatile years of the Civil Rights struggle in Mississippi.

As a pastor and NAACP leader, he helped organize voter registration efforts in Greenwood while facing violence, surveillance, and constant danger. In his new book, Tucker recounts the marches, the threats, the strategy meetings, the songs of freedom — and the personal conversations that never made the history books.

His story connects national events to lived experience and preserves a vital eyewitness record of faith-driven activism.

Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it.

Strip down, start running—and never quit!

No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.

When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through.
That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Hebrews 12:1-3 (MSG)

THE DONALD TUCKER STORY: Medgar, Me and the NAACP

History remembers the Movement.
This book remembers the man inside it.

Rev. Dr. Donald L. Tucker stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Medgar Evers during the most volatile years of the Civil Rights struggle in Mississippi. As a young African Methodist Episcopal pastor sent from the North to Greenwood in 1955—just days after Emmett Till’s murder—Tucker found himself thrust into the center of a fight for voting rights, dignity, and survival.

What followed was not abstract history. It was daily danger.

• Police dogs and public intimidation

• Death threats and wiretapped phones

• National attention and relentless surveillance

• Personal conversations that never made the history books

As the first President of the NAACP in Leflore County, Tucker helped organize voter registration efforts in the Mississippi Delta while working closely with Medgar Evers and other leaders of the Movement. He recounts marches, strategy meetings, freedom songs, and the faith that sustained a generation under pressure.

More than a memoir, this book is a firsthand eyewitness record of faith-driven activism—told by one who was there.

A powerful contribution to Civil Rights history.

Unforgettable Moments with Annette Grace interviews
Rev. Donald L. Tucker

On September 6, 2022, Unforgettable Moments with Annette Grace
welcomed special guest Rev. Donald L. Tucker
for a powerful and deeply important conversation.

Rev. Donald L. Tucker stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Medgar Evers during some of the most dangerous and defining years of the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi. As a pastor and NAACP leader, he helped organize voter registration efforts in Greenwood, Mississippi, while facing intimidation, violence, surveillance, and constant personal risk.

In this interview, Rev. Tucker shares firsthand accounts of the marches, the threats, the strategy meetings, the freedom songs, and the private conversations that never made it into the history books. His testimony offers a rare eyewitness perspective on a movement shaped by courage, conviction, and faith. This is more than an interview — it is a living record of faith-driven activism, perseverance, and the cost of standing for justice.

Hosted by Annette Grace on Unforgettable Moments Originally aired on WCHB AM 1340 – The Voice of the Church

The Rev. Dr. Donald L. Tucker is a native of Detroit, Michigan. He received his formal education in the public schools of Detroit, and his early religious education in the St. Stephen A.M.E. Church. He was licensed to preach while a senior in high school and served as youth minister.

Rev. Tucker matriculated at Wilberforce University where he received his bachelor’s degree. There, in 1953, he pledged Phi Beta Sigma, Alpha Alpha Chapter. He received his Master of Divinity at Payne Theological Seminary, in Wilberforce, Ohio. He is the recipient of an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Wayne State University, School of Religious Studies, Detroit, Michigan and an Honorary Doctorate Degree from East Texas School of Religion at Texas College, in Tyler, Texas.

As an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Tucker has successfully pastored seven churches. His first pastorate was served in the First Episcopal District at Ebenezer A.M.E., New York City and Bethel A.M.E.—Schenectady, New York.

Following his pastorate in the First District, he transferred to the Eighth Episcopal District where he pastored Turner A.M.E., Greenwood, Mississippi. While in Mississippi, Rev. Tucker was actively involved in the Civil Rights movement and worked closely with the late Medgar Evers. He served as the first President of LeFlore County NAACP in the Mississippi Delta.

Because of his involvement, and to ensure his safety, he was transferred back to the First District where he served as pastor of Vernon Temple A.M.E.—Southampton, SN BX, Bermuda.

After his first year in Bermuda, while serving as Pastor, he was appointed Presiding Elder of the West District. His other pastorate included Bethel A.M.E.—Ardmore, Pennsylvania (3 years); Bethel A.M.E.—Springfield, Massachusetts (23 years) and Bethel A.M.E.—Norwalk, Connecticut—(4 years).

Rev. Tucker has not only served the church as an exceptional Pastor but as a great churchman extraordinaire. He has held the following positions: Connectional level—General Board member (23 years); Episcopal level—General Conference Delegate (1964 - 2004), Self Help Board of Directors, and Board of Trustees Payne Theological Seminary. On the Conference level, he has served as treasurer (26 years), Christian Education Board Chairman (22 years), Trustee (22 years), and Ministerial Training Institute Dean (22 years).

He holds membership in the Interdenominational Ministerial Fellowship (IMF) of Norwalk, Connecticut, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, M.W. Herman Grand Lodge, Keystone Lodge, NAACP, and National Urban League.

Donald Louis Tucker has committed his life to God and has served the African Methodist Episcopal Church with unequivocal commitment, dedication, and faithfulness for 53 years.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

Meet Rev. Tucker