Vernon Odom, Sr.

Who was Vernon Odom, Sr.?

Vernon L. Odom, Sr. was an American civil rights leader. He was born in Biscoe, Arkansas, on June 9, 1921 to Dr. Elijah and Ada Odom. His father was born into slavery in 1859 and later became a physician. In 1949, he graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Thereafter he earned a master's degree in social work from Atlanta University.

Odom was best recognized for his 43 years of work for civil rights causes in Akron, Ohio, as well as his positions as the executive director of the Akron Community Service Center and the Urban League.

Odom, who was married to Sadie Harvey Odom, had two children, one being Philadelphia journalist Vernon Odom. He died on May 22, 1996. Today, he is best remembered by the Vern Odom Allotment, a suburban-style housing development located off Wooster Avenue in Akron.

In the early 2000s, an effort was made to commemorate Odom's memory by renaming Wooster Avenue Vernon Odom Boulevard. After this was passed, many local signs were renamed to read "V Odom Boulevard," reaping much public conversation and amusement.

From Bob Dyer's column "Dyer Streets" in the Akron Beacon Journal... "Victory for Vern" We have lost our Vodom.