In the early 60s, Mr. Crump emerged as an activist in the Civil Rights Movement.  In the summer of 1964, a time when African Americans were systemically excluded from voting, Mr. Crump united with with local organizers and the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO) out-of-state volunteers in the campaign to register African American voters. Crump, a high school math teacher had no reservations about acting on his convictions.  He was one of a only a few educators who joined the movement.  When asked if he was fearful about being fired, Crump was known to respond, "I was looking for a job when I found this one." 

 

He was instrumental in coordinating the Vicksburg Citizens' Appeal, a newspaper that published news and events involving African Americans worldwide.  In July 1964, Mr. Crump was elected as one of eight delegates to the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) Convention.  The Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party was formed in April 1964 to challenge the state's Democratic party which for decades denied African Americans the opportunity to participate in the electoral process. On the front line and behind the scenes, Mr. Crump, clergy and local leaders helped bring national attention to the struggle for racial equality.

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Mr. Crump was a voice of consciousness during the 1972 boycott when citizens of Vicksburg, led by Mr. Eddie McBride instituted an economic boycott to protest discriminatory hiring practices by city officials and downtown merchants.  Mr. Crump walked the picket line and was vocal in challenging discriminatory pay practices for teachers.  The boycott opened the doors to jobs historically closed to African Americans.

 

Mr. Crump's career as an educator spanned more than six decades, beginning in 1951.  Mr. Crump accepted his first teaching position in 1951 at Alcorn A&M College where he taught Algebra and Physical Science.  From 1960 until 1969, Mr. Crump taught algebra, calculus, physics and drafting at Rosa A. Temple High School. He was widely respected for setting high standards of excellence and challenging students to reach their full potential.  His innovative teaching methods and the practical life lessons that he imparted to his students are the hallmark of his distinguished teaching career.

 

During his tenure at Temple High, Mr. Crump served as Chairman of the Department of Mathematics and President of the Vicksburg Teachers Association.  Mr. Crump also taught mathematics at Mixon High School in Utica, Mississippi and in Tallulah Louisiana at McCall and Tallulah High School.  Mr. Crump held several leadership positions at Hinds Community College, Utica Campus, in Vocational-Technical Administration and as a Mathematics and Drafting Instructor.  He retired from Hinds in 1986 as Dean of Vocational-Technical Education.  After retiring, Mr. Crump tutored math to students in the Vicksburg Warren School District.  He continued to advocate for change and equal opportunity.  In 1987, Mr. Crump led a boycott to challenge proposed changes in leadership and inequities in the Vicksburg School District.

 

In service to the community, Mr. Crump was a member of several social and civic organizations.  As a veteran, he was a member of American Legion Tyner-Ford Post No 213.  Mr. Crump served on the board of the Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center for 15 years and was Chairman of the Board of Directors from 2010-2013.  Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center provides primary health care services to the uninsured and under-served in Central Mississippi.  Mr. Crump was a charter member of Delta Kappa Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity at Alcorn State University.  He was also a charter member and served as the Historian for the Omicron Rho Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.  Mr. Crump was a member of Mt. Carmel M.B. Church and President of the Adult Music Ministry.

 

Mr. Crump received many awards and honors.  Some of the most notable awards were the Lifetime of Service Award, Christian Leadership through Music Award, Instructor of the Year Award and Recognition for Military Service during the Period of the Cold War.  Mr. Crump was honored as a Living Legend for Black History Month in 2013.  On February 21, 2013, Mr. Crump was honored by the State of Mississippi Legislature, in House Resolution No 35, "acknowledging and commending his contributions during the Civil Rights Movement."  On June 4, 2013 he was honored by the United States Congress in Congressional Record 113th Congress (2013-2014), as "a decorous and determined man who has shown what can be done through tenacity, dedication and a desire to serve others."  January 16, 2017, a Mississippi State Historical Marker was unveiled to commemorate Mr. Crump's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and his dedication to teaching and inspiring young people to excel for more than six decades.

 

Mr. Crump was a social and civic activist.  Founder and president of the Community Action Network established in 1987, Mr. Crump was a strong voice in the community speaking out on issues that affected the education of students in the Vicksburg Warren School District, issues of civil rights and social justice, and the economic growth and development of the City of Vicksburg.

 

As a licensed building contractor and owner of Crump Construction for almost 40 years, Mr. Crump designed, built and renovated residential and commercial properties, improving property values and enhancing the overall landscape of neighborhoods throughout the City of Vicksburg and Warren County.

 

Mr. Crump's teachings inspired hundreds of young men and women to attend college and pursue fulfilling careers.  Many of his former students have excelled in a variety of disciplines and careers such as physicians, clergy, engineers, architects, contractors, attorneys, politicians, and entrepreneurs to name a few.  Mr. Crump was a teacher, mentor and a worthy role model with unwavering dedication to education and social justice.