Alexander, Kelly M.

Kelly Miller Alexander was born in Charlotte, N.C. on August 18, 1915, and attended Charlotte public schools. After studying at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, he graduated from the Renouard College of Embalming in New York City. He succeeded his father as president of Alexander Funeral Home, Inc. and Alexander Mutual Burial Association.

Alexander became active in community affairs early in life and selected the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People as the vehicle for his involvment in the civil rights movement. He reactivated the dormant Charlotte Branch of the NAACP in 1940. In 1948 he was elected president of the North Carolina State Conference of Branches, a post he held until October, 1984. Under his leadership, the North Carolina Conference became the largest state conference in the country with over 120 branches and 30,000 members.

In 1950, Alexander was elected to the NAACP National Board of Directors and became a Life Member in 1954. In 1976, he was elected vice chair of the National Board. In June, 1983, Alexander became acting chair, then was elected chair in January, 1984. Alexander twice ran unsuccessfully for the Charlotte City Council in the 1950s. In 1965, his home, along with those of his brother Fred, lawyer Julius Chambers, and activist Reginald A. Hawkins were bombed. No suspects were apprehended, nor did any group ever accept responsibility for the acts.