Civil rights activist Clarence B Jones dies at 95

Jones was also one of the organizers of the 1963 March on Washington where King delivered the historic speech and helped push for the passage of the Voting Rights Act two years later.

Published: May 26, 2026 6:22pm

Civil Rights activist Clarence B. Jones, who notably helped pen Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I have a dream" speech, died recently in California at the age of 95-years-old.

Jones, who also worked as an adviser to King, died Friday at an assisted living facility in Cupertino, California. His death was confirmed by Jones' son Clarence Jr. in a statement to the New York Times.

The King Center also confirmed Jones' death in a social media post Monday, lamenting the civil rights' leader's death while honoring his legacy as a trusted legal counsel and strategic advisor to King.

"We are grateful for his life and his work in the interest of justice and Civil Rights," the center said. "Our hearts go out to his family and our prayers go up on behalf of his loved ones."

Jones was also one of the organizers of the 1963 March on Washington where King delivered the historic speech and helped push for the passage of the Voting Rights Act two years later.

"I’m saddened by the news of the passing of Attorney Clarence Jones, Dr. King’s attorney and a mentor and friend to me," Rev. Al Sharpton posted on X. "He was a brilliant strategist, lawyer, author, and philanthropist. So many of us owe a great debt to Clarence Jones."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage. 

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