Le'Darius Hilliard

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Clinton Le'Darius Hilliard (born September 11, 1987 in Birmingham; died October 20, 2023 in Birmingham) was a minister, political consultant and social activist.

Hilliard grew up in Pratt City and attended St Paul Elementary School, Daniel Payne Middle School and Jackson Olin High School. He graduated from Minor High School in 2006. He studied political science at Jefferson State Community College and business management and marketing at Meridian Community College in Meridian, Mississippi.

Hilliard worked as a clerk for National Realty Co. from 2009 to 2013 and as an account services manager for Portfolio Recovery Associates from 2010 to 2013, while also interning at the law office of Hilliard, Smith & Hunt. Later, after years of volunteering, he was hired as full-time Director of Outreach and Legislative Policy for the Birmingham Urban Leagues, and headed their "100 Days of Non-Violence" campaign. He also served as an associated minister at Mt Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in North Pratt.

As a teenager Hilliard volunteered on political campaigns for Frank Matthews, and was affiliated with Matthews' Outcast Voters League. He was a leader in the grassroots campaign for the Birmingham minimum wage ordinance which was passed in 2015 but later overturned by the Alabama State Legislature. He was also active in public campaigns for Medicaid expansion, for a city ordinance to protect domestic violence victims from eviction, and to provide free counseling for children who witnessed acts of violence. His organizing work resulted in his recognition in 2015 as a "Man of Distinction" by the NAACP

Hilliard was a co-founder and president of the Jefferson County Young Democrats chapter of the Young Democrats of America via the Alabama Young Democrats (AYD). In the 2016 Democratic primary a the Jefferson County Young Democrats PAC endorsed a slate of candidates. The AYD determined that the endorsements violated the group's charter and dissolved the chapter. Hilliard subsequently founded the Jefferson County Millennial Democrats.

In the 2018 Democratic primary Hilliard unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Juandalynn Givan for the Distict 60 seat in the Alabama House of Representatives. In his campaign he pledged to work to expand Medicaid and Medicare coverage, to promote a state lottery to fund education, and to pursue reforms in the criminal justice system.

Following the death of E. J. Bradford Jr at the Riverchase Galleria in November 2018, Hilliard became a prominent leader of protests against the mall's management and the Hoover Police Department.

In the 2021 Birmingham municipal election Hilliard ran for the District 9 seat on the Birmingham Board of Education left open when Sandra Brown announced she would not run for re-election. He pledged to improve technology, career and financial education, and social services in schools. He advanced to a runoff against Jason Meadows, but lost by a 72%-28% margin.

Hilliard served on the Alabama Democratic Executive Committee

Hilliard suffered a medical emergency at a local motel and was brought to Baptist Medical Center Princeton on October 14, 2023. He died there on the morning of October 20. Services for Hilliard were held at 6th Avenue Baptist Church, and he was buried at Elmwood Cemetery.

References

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