Mr. James Forman (1928 – 2005), first executive secretary (director) of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC); was later chairman of the Unemployment and Poverty Action Committee. Even as he provided thoughtful and inspired leadership to the freedom movement, Forman claimed no religious connection and often questioned the role of religion in African–American life. Nevertheless, he remained deeply involved in work for democratic social change, especially among the working poor – a deeply spiritual task–until his death.