Al Sharpton: A Closer Look At The Man And His Mission

What’s Al Sharpton's Net Worth and Salary?

Al Sharpton, a man of many hats, is an American Baptist minister, civil rights activist, and a prominent television and radio talk show host, boasting a net worth of $500,000. Over the years, Sharpton’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. He emerged in the 1980s as a fiery civil rights activist and Baptist minister in New York City, gaining notoriety for his involvement in the Tawana Brawley case and leading protests against racial injustice. But his story doesn’t stop there. Al transformed into a mainstream political figure, running for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2004 and becoming a regular face on MSNBC with his show "PoliticsNation" in 2011.

Through his National Action Network, founded in 1991, Sharpton has been a driving force behind numerous protests and campaigns addressing critical issues such as police brutality, voting rights, and economic inequality. His activism has encompassed high-profile cases like the Bernhard Goetz shooting, Howard Beach incident, and more recently, the deaths of Eric Garner and George Floyd. Despite being a polarizing figure due to his early confrontational style and financial controversies, Sharpton remains an influential voice in Democratic politics, advising President Obama and maintaining strong ties with other Democratic leaders. His legacy, though debated, has left an undeniable mark on civil rights activism and American politics.

Financial Woes: Al Sharpton’s Alleged Money Troubles

In November 2014, The New York Times dropped a bombshell exposé claiming that Al Sharpton was grappling with serious financial problems. According to the report, Sharpton and his businesses owed a staggering $4.5 million in back taxes to the state and federal governments. Of this amount, approximately $3.7 million was reportedly Sharpton's personal tax debt. However, Sharpton pushed back against these claims, stating that the liens had been partially paid down. He didn’t specify how much of the debt had been settled, and The New York Times couldn’t verify his assertions. This controversy added another layer to Sharpton’s already complex public persona.

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Early Beginnings: A Glimpse into Sharpton’s Childhood

Alfred Charles Sharpton Jr. was born on October 3, 1954, in Brooklyn, New York City, to Ada and Alfred Charles Sharpton Sr. His childhood was marked by hardship. In 1963, his father left the family, leaving his mother struggling to support them on her own. This forced the family to move from their middle-class neighborhood to the public housing projects in Brownsville, Brooklyn, where they relied on welfare to make ends meet. Despite these challenges, Sharpton managed to graduate from Samuel J. Tilden High School and pursued further education at Brooklyn College, though he dropped out after two years.

Sharpton’s spiritual journey began at a young age. Around the age of nine or ten, he was licensed and ordained as a Pentecostal minister by Bishop F.D. Washington. Following Washington’s passing in the late 1980s, Sharpton embraced the Baptist faith and was re-baptized in 1994 by the Reverend William Augustus Jones, solidifying his role as a Baptist minister. This early exposure to faith and community service set the stage for his future career as an activist and leader.

A Career Fueled by Passion: Sharpton’s Activism and Influence

Sharpton’s career in activism took off in 1969 when Jesse Jackson appointed him as the youth director of the New York City branch of Operation Breadbasket, an organization dedicated to improving employment opportunities for African Americans. In 1971, Al founded the National Youth Movement, aiming to raise resources and funds for impoverished youth. By the 1980s, he had become a nationally recognized activist, championing the causes of those who faced racial prejudice. One of his earliest high-profile cases involved Tawana Brawley, a teenager who claimed to have been abducted and raped by a group of white men—a case that later proved to be false. Despite this setback, Sharpton continued to speak out on behalf of others, including Bernhard Goetz, Yusef Hawkins, Amadou Diallo, Trayvon Martin, and Eric Garner.

In 1991, Sharpton founded the National Action Network, an organization committed to increasing voter education, supporting small community businesses, and providing resources to those struggling with poverty. His influence extended beyond activism as he shared his views on injustice and tackled today’s issues through his television and radio programs. In January 2006, he began hosting his own daily national talk radio program, "Keepin' It Real with Al Sharpton," on Radio One. Since 2011, he has been the host of MSNBC's "PoliticsNation" and a regular contributor to NBC's "Morning Joe." Sharpton is also an accomplished author, having written books such as "Al on America," "The Rejected Stone: Al Sharpton and the Path to American Leadership," and "Go and Tell Pharaoh" with Nick Chiles.

Political Ambitions: Sharpton’s Campaigns and Challenges

Sharpton’s political aspirations have been marked by numerous attempts to secure elected office. He ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate from New York in 1988, 1992, and 1994. In 1997, he entered the race for Mayor of New York City but came up short. His most ambitious effort came in 2004 when he sought the Democratic presidential nomination. However, his campaign was plagued by financial issues, as he had exceeded federal limits on personal expenditures despite receiving funds from the federal government. Consequently, in 2005, he agreed to repay $100,000 of the public funds he had received. In 2009, the Federal Election Commission fined his 2004 presidential campaign team $285,000 for violating campaign finance rules.

Personal Life and Evolving Views: Sharpton Beyond the Spotlight

Sharpton’s personal life has been as eventful as his public career. He met his future wife, Kathy Jordan, a backup singer, while touring with James Brown in 1971. They married in 1980 but separated in 2004. In January 1991, Sharpton faced a harrowing experience when he was stabbed in the chest by Michael Riccardi during preparations for a protest in Brooklyn, New York. Riccardi was swiftly apprehended by Sharpton’s aides and later convicted of first-degree assault, receiving a 15-year prison sentence. He was released in 2001 on parole after serving ten years. Sharpton subsequently filed a lawsuit against New York City, alleging that the police present at the protest failed to protect him. The lawsuit was settled for $200,000 in December 2003.

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In 2001, Sharpton spent 90 days in jail at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn for trespassing during a protest against U.S. military target practice exercises in Puerto Rico. Over the years, Sharpton’s views have evolved, particularly on issues affecting the LGBTQ community. While he once made controversial remarks, including using the term "homo" during an address at Kean College in 1994, he has since become an advocate for ending homophobia within the African-American community, showcasing his ability to adapt and grow with the times.