Clilan Bethany Powell[1] (August 8, 1894 – September 22, 1977) was an American businessman who served as publisher of the Amsterdam News.
[2] He received his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine in 1920 and served his internship at Bellevue Hospital.
[9] During the 1936 and 1940 United States presidential elections, Powell served as the publicity director for the Negro Division of the Democratic National Committee.
He left the Democratic party over the issue of Racial segregation in the United States Armed Forces and his belief that a Republican administration offered more hope for African-American advancement.
[11][12] As an athletic commissioner, Powell supported cracking down on boxers who delayed accepting challenges for their titles and promoters who associated with known criminals.