Bob Woodson Digital Collection

Robert L. "Bob" Woodson Sr. is a prominent American civil rights activist, community development leader, and author. Born in Philadelphia in 1937, Woodson joined the U.S. Air Force at age 17, where he earned his G.E.D. He later earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Cheyney State University and a master's in social work from the University of Pennsylvania. Woodson began his career with the National Urban League. However, he grew critical of what he saw as the ineffectiveness of government-centric poverty programs and shifted his focus to a "self-help" model. This approach led him to found the Woodson Center (originally the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise) in 1981, which champions grassroots, community-based solutions to poverty and other social issues. Woodson has been a significant advisor to several presidential administrations and has authored numerous articles and books, including The Triumphs of Joseph: How Today's Community Healers are Reviving Our Streets and Neighborhoods. His work has earned him prestigious awards, including a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship and the Presidential Citizens Medal.