William Sumpter McIntosh, or “Mac,” was born on Feb. 2, 1921. He lived in Kansas City and later Little Rock, Arkansas. Known as the father of the Dayton civil rights movement, McIntosh moved to Dayton in 1941. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and a businessman whose family owned a local store.
After hearing a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Atlanta in 1960, McIntosh became involved in the civil rights movement himself.
McIntosh created the West Side Citizens Council in 1955, where he served as its president. His goal was to challenge the discrimination of blacks in the workplace. These included places such as Famous Clothing Store and A&P Grocery – both in Dayton.
McIntosh did not believe that violence was a method to be used to make changes. McIntosh first tried to encourage civil rights in Dayton through discussion. When this did not work, he decided to organize a peaceful protest.
In 1963, McIntosh organized a protest against Rike-Kumler, a department store in downtown Dayton. The protest went on for several weeks. Some protesters even entered the store holding signs, leading to their arrests – including McIntosh. As the company had previously refused to speak with civil rights activists, McIntosh along with other men went to the president’s office.
When they still could not speak with him, they laid on the floor of the building and had to be carried out. Their actions did not fail them, however. McIntosh and those who joined him began to see success as Rike-Kumler and other stores began to open jobs to blacks.
McIntosh also helped set up the Dayton chapter of CORE (Congress of Racial Equality). He held the position of executive director for this organization. He also gave advice to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Dayton. McIntosh brought together black students from Roosevelt High School to help fight against segregation in restaurants as well. Outside of Dayton, McIntosh helped set up protests in Washington D.C. and Alabama.
On Mar. 4, 1974, McIntosh attempted to stop a robbery at a downtown Dayton jewelry store. He was shot and killed at 53-years-old by the two robbers. This occurred outside of McIntosh’s family store. A public viewing at the University of Dayton was held for him. Over 600 people came to show their respects.
McIntosh had the W.S. McIntosh Park in Dayton named in honor of him. The University of Dayton also offers the W.S. McIntosh Memorial Leadership Award to African-American high school students. The winner also receives an offer for an internship through the city of Dayton.
Rebekah Davidson
Intern