Ezell Blair Jr.

Jibreel Khazan
Born	Ezell Alexander Blair Jr. (1941-10-18) October 18, 1941 Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Civil rights activist, educator, counselor, oral historian, public speaker
Known for	Member of the Greensboro Four; civil rights sit-ins
Notable work	Participation in 1960 Greensboro sit-ins

Jibreel Khazan (originally named Ezell Alexander Blair Jr.; born October 18, 1941) is a prominent figure in the civil rights movement, recognized primarily as one of the Greensboro Four. This group of African American college students initiated a historic sit-in on February 1, 1960, by occupying seats at a segregated lunch counter inside the downtown Greensboro, North Carolina Woolworth's store. Their act directly confronted the establishment’s policy of refusing service to Black patrons. The resulting demonstrations marked a significant turning point in the Civil Rights Movement.

Early life and education

See also: Greensboro sit-ins

Born Ezell Alexander Blair Jr. in Greensboro, North Carolina on October 18, 1941, Khazan attended Dudley High School, where his father was employed as a teacher. His father’s active involvement with the NAACP and outspoken stance against racial discrimination profoundly influenced Khazan; in a 1974 interview, he reflected that these values “naturally rubbed off” on him. He was known to resist unfair treatment based on race. Additionally, Khazan recalled an American Civics instructor, Mrs. McCullough, who inspired her students by saying, “We’re preparing you for the day when you will have equal rights.”

Khazan’s activism was further shaped by hearing Martin Luther King Jr. speak at Bennett College in 1958. King’s call for intensifying nonviolent protests against segregation left a lasting impact on him; Khazan later described feeling his heart race and being moved to tears by King’s speech.

After completing high school in 1959, Khazan enrolled at A&T College of North Carolina. During his freshman year, he and his roommate, Joseph McNeil, together with friends Franklin McCain and David Richmond, formulated a plan to challenge the segregated lunch counter policy at Greensboro’s Woolworth's store. On February 1, 1960, they courageously sat at the whites-only counter, defying segregation laws. Khazan attributed part of his motivation to a documentary about Mohandas Gandhi’s philosophy of "passive insistence." While each participant had unique reasons for joining the protest, their close friendship strengthened their collective resolve. In a 1964 interview featured in Chapter 5 of Who Speaks for the Negro, Khazan recounted details of the Greensboro sit-ins.

Khazan’s activism extended beyond the sit-ins. He became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, served as president of his junior class, and later led both the student government association and campus chapters of the NAACP and Greensboro’s Congress for Racial Equality. In 1963, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in sociology and social studies from A&T College. Following graduation, Khazan pursued legal studies briefly at Howard University Law School in Washington, DC. He continued his academic journey at Massachusetts University and subsequently studied voice at the New England Conservatory of Music.

Later years

Following his involvement in the Greensboro Sit-Ins, Khazan was branded a "troublemaker," which made life challenging for him in Greensboro. In 1965, he relocated to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he took on roles as an educator and counselor for individuals with developmental disabilities. Three years later, in 1968, he became a member of the Islamic Center of New England and adopted the name Jibreel Khazan. Currently, Khazan works as an oral historian and public speaker.

Legacy

In recognition of his contributions, Khazan was awarded an honorary doctorate in humanities by North Carolina A&T State University in 1991. In 2002, the university commissioned a statue honoring Khazan alongside the other three members of the Greensboro Four: Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond. Furthermore, each of these men has a residence hall named after them on the campus. In 2010, Khazan was honored with the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal from the Smithsonian Institution. On October 12, 2021, a city park located in New Bedford’s west end was renamed to celebrate Khazan’s legacy.

Personal life

Khazan is married to Lorraine France George from New Bedford. The couple has three children together.