Social Reformer. Former KKK Member who overcame his racist attitudes. He was at one time the Grand Exalted Cyclops of the Durham Ku Klux Klan, but in the early 1970s he became close friends with Black activist Ann Atwater. They realized during a 10-day community conclave on race relations and school integration that they longed for the same things for their children and the community. On the last night Ellis tore up his KKK card in front of the crowd. He and Ann became lifelong friends who often ate at each others homes and shared their daily lives with one another. He was the co-subject of the 2000 documentary, "An Unlikely Friendship." He was interviewed in 1991 for the book "Race: How Blacks & Whites Think & Feel About the American Obsession." and the subject of the book 'The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South' by Osha Gray Davidson, and a movie, 'The best of Enemies' in 1999. He died of Alzheimer's disease.
Social Reformer. Former KKK Member who overcame his racist attitudes. He was at one time the Grand Exalted Cyclops of the Durham Ku Klux Klan, but in the early 1970s he became close friends with Black activist Ann Atwater. They realized during a 10-day community conclave on race relations and school integration that they longed for the same things for their children and the community. On the last night Ellis tore up his KKK card in front of the crowd. He and Ann became lifelong friends who often ate at each others homes and shared their daily lives with one another. He was the co-subject of the 2000 documentary, "An Unlikely Friendship." He was interviewed in 1991 for the book "Race: How Blacks & Whites Think & Feel About the American Obsession." and the subject of the book 'The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South' by Osha Gray Davidson, and a movie, 'The best of Enemies' in 1999. He died of Alzheimer's disease.
Bio by: Elizabeth Reed
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