J. D. Grier

{{Short description|American religious and civil rights leader and politician}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name =

| image =

| office1 = Georgia House of Representatives

| term_start1 = 1965

| term_end1 = 1966

| term_start2 = 1967

| term_end2 = 1968

| office3 = Atlanta Personnel Board

| term_start3 = March 1970

| term_end3 = April 1973

| predecessor3 = J. Marshall Weaver

| successor3 =

| birth_date = 1929/1930

| birth_place = Henry County, Georgia

| death_date = {{death date|mf=yes|1998|02|04}}

| death_place = Crawford W. Long Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia

| death_cause = Complications from pneumonia

| resting_place =

| party = Democrat

}}

J. D. Grier (1929/1930 – February 4, 1998), was a religious, civil rights, and politician leader in Georgia. He served in the Georgia House of Representatives for two terms from 1965 to 1968. He chaired the Atlanta Personnel Board and was a member of the Atlanta civil service board.{{cite web | url=https://crdl.usg.edu/people/grier_j_d | title=Grier, J. D. - Civil Rights Digital Library }} He was president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

== Biography ==

Grier was born {{birth based on age as of date|68|1998|02|04|noage=1}} in Henry County, Georgia to J. D. Grier Sr. He was educated at Morris Brown College where he obtained his degree in sociology then went to Gammon Theological Seminary for his masters in divinity. He was photographed giving his senior sermon in 1956 as part of his requirement for his seminary graduation.{{Cite web|url=https://radar.auctr.edu/islandora/object/auc.066%3A0954|title=Reverend J. D. Grier, 1956 | Atlanta University Center}}

He was elected May 1964 to the co-ordinating council of the Methodist Church at the Pittsburgh General Conference, he also returned to work as the pastor of the Fort Street Memorial United Methodist Church.{{cite news |title=Pastor Grier Returns To Fill Pulpit Sunday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/atlanta-daily-world-pastor-grier-returns/167034554/ |access-date=2 March 2025 |work=Atlanta Daily World |date=23 May 1964 |pages=5}} {{Open access}}

Grier qualified to run as a Democrat candidate for the 132nd district representing Fulton County, Georgia in the Georgia House of Representatives April 1965.{{cite news |title=Rev. Grier To Run for House Seat |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-rev-grier-to-r/167035515/ |access-date=2 March 2025 |work=The Atlanta Constitution |date=16 April 1965 |pages=3}} {{Open access}} Three black candidates stood unopposed, and four others were only opposed by other black candidates including Grier who stood against the Republican Mrs. Ella R. Martin.{{cite news |title=Seven Negroes Assured Of State House Seats |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-news-seven-negroes-assured-of/167036465/ |access-date=2 March 2025 |work=The Macon News |date=15 June 1965 |pages=5}} Grier was successful against Mrs. Martin,{{cite news |title=House Race Winners |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/ledger-enquirer-house-race-winners/167037211/ |access-date=2 March 2025 |work=Ledger-Enquirer |date=18 June 1965 |pages=17}} {{Open access}} and was one of several black members elected to the house for the first time since 1907. Grier was one of several black members that later stated that they had been well received by the non-black member of the house.{{cite news |title=Negroes In Georgia House Have Praise For Reception |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-macon-telegraph-negroes-in-georgia-h/167037613/ |access-date=2 March 2025 |work=The Macon Telegraph |date=14 January 1966 |pages=7}} {{Open access}} He ran again un-opposed in November 1966 for his second session in the house.{{cite news |title=Fulton GOPs gain 3 Seats But Democrats Hold Fast |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-fulton-gops-gai/167038371/ |access-date=2 March 2025 |work=The Atlanta Constitution |date=10 November 1966 |pages=18}} {{Open access}} In 1968 he co-introduced a bill with John Hood to outlaw burning crosses on both public and private property.{{cite news |title=Reps. J. D. Grier, Hood Propose Cross Burning Bill |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/atlanta-daily-world-reps-j-d-grier-h/167038669/ |access-date=2 March 2025 |work=Atlanta Daily World |date=21 January 1968 |pages=1}} {{Open access}} After his second term he did not stand for re-election so that he could become the superintendent of the United Methodist Church.

In a press conference on September 13, 1966 he insisted the Housing Authority make apartments available to "negros" in all parts of the city to alleviate overcrowding and improve conditions. He also called for a recreation center, playground, and jobs. In 1967 he was part of a panel with state senator Leroy Johnson and attorneys Horace T. Ward and William H. Alexander that called for action from the Board of Education in Atlanta.{{cite web | url=https://crdl.usg.edu/record/ugabma_wsbn_wsbn52051 | title=WSB-TV newsfilm clip of a panel of African American leaders including Georgia state senator Leroy Johnson, Reverend J. D. Grier and attorneys Horace T. Ward and William H. Alexander explaining recent demands to the Board of Education, Atlanta, Georgia, 1967 September 25 }}

He was a member and former president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and others in the leadership.

In March 1970 he was appointed as one of three members of the Atlanta Personnel Board by Mayor Sam Massell.{{cite news |title=Rev. J. D. Grier Is Named To City Personnel Panel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-rev-j-d-grie/167032887/ |access-date=2 March 2025 |work=The Atlanta Constitution |date=3 March 1970 |pages=6}} {{Open access}}

He appeared with Joseph Lowery and Atlanta police chief John Inman at a press conference calling for the hiring of more black police officers in 1973.{{cite web |title=City Personnel Board, Chief Inman and CRC Mount Campaign for More Black Policemen |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-voice-city-personnel-board/167039959/ |website=The Atlanta Voice |access-date=2 March 2025 |pages=3 |date=7 July 1973}} {{Open access}}

Grier died February 4, 1998 aged 68, he had been suffering with pneumonia.{{cite news |title=Obituary for J.D Grier Jr. |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-obituary-for-j/167030451/ |access-date=2 March 2025 |work=The Atlanta Constitution |date=7 February 1998 |pages=28}} {{Open access}} He had been married to Henrietta Johnson Grier and had two children, Lisa G. Newton Williams and Joseph D. Grier III.