Cordy Tindell Vivian, born on this day in 1924, was an American minister, author, and close friend and lieutenant of Martin Luther King, helping organizing the first Nashville sit-ins and participating in the 1961 Freedom Rides.

Vivian also helped found the Nashville Christian Leadership Conference and worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr. as the national director of affiliates for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

During the summer following the Selma Voting Rights Movement, Vivian conceived and directed an educational program "Vision", and put 702 Alabama students in college with scholarships, a program later became "Upward Bound".

Vivian died from natural causes on July 17th, 2020, two weeks before his 96th birthday and on the same day that his friend and fellow civil rights activist John Lewis died.

"People do not choose rebellion, it is forced upon them. Revolution is always an act of self- defense."

- C.T. Vivian