ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Longtime Atlanta civil and human rights activist Dr. Joseph Beasley died Tuesday, according to his family.

Beasley served in many roles, including the Southern regional director of the National Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and as the Georgia deputy director for Rev. Jesse Jackson’s presidential campaigns.

Additionally, the 88-year-old did a lot of work globally, especially in parts of Africa.

Former Georgia state Rep. Tyrone Brooks was a close friend of Beasley’s. The two first met in 1979 during a push to desegregate an Atlanta newspaper.

“He’s just an unsung hero,” Brooks said.

According to Brooks, Beasley had a big role in changing Georgia’s state flag in the early 2000s with the removal of the Confederate battle emblem, among other major impacts.

“Wh

See Full Page