Gayraud Stephen Wilmore Jr. (December 20, 1921 – April 18, 2020) was an American writer, historian, ethicist, educator, and theologian,[1] known for his role in the Civil Rights Movement and his scholarship related to the history of the African-American church and the history of African-American religious experience, as well as his contributions to black theology.
In 1963, when the 175th General Assembly of the UPCUSA convened, it created the Commission on Religion and Race, naming Wilmore as its executive director.
During his time as executive director, Wilmore oversaw several racial justice initiatives, organized protests, and trained ministers to participate in boycotts.
He remained at the school for five years before joining the faculty of United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, as an adjunct professor from 1995 until 1998.
[4] Wilmore wrote or edited 16 books and is considered an internationally acclaimed scholar and theologian of the history of the African-American church and black theology.