Origins in Savannah

George grew up in the segregated city of Savannah, GA, the third of six children with a father who labored in a steel mill and a mother who worked as a department housekeeper. He learned early the value of hard work, commitment to God and family, and service to others. His paternal grandfather, a dignified farmer, landowner, and community activist, reinforced the value of getting a good education and home ownership. George came of age with activism in his DNA.

1963: Integrating Savannah Schools

In his senior year of high school, George left behind long-time classmates at Sophronia Tompkins High School to desegregate all-white Groves High School. He and six other black students faced unrelenting hostility from white parents, teachers and students. Across town, 12 black students entered all-white Savannah High School. George and the other students’ courageous actions helped dismantle segregation in the city’s educational system. It was just the beginning for George. He also was one of the first African Americans to attend Armstrong State College.

Finding Purpose in Protest

George’s activism grew as a teenager through his involvement in the youth council of National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. After high school, he joined Hosea Williams and the Chatham County Crusade for Voters. He helped register black citizens in a seven-county region so they could become voters.

He was arrested dozens of times, often several arrests in the same day, in his quest for voting rights and an end to discrimination and segregation.

Marching with Dr. King

As the tumult of the 1960s intensified, George became a field organizer for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, led by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. George traveled throughout Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. In town after town, he marched alongside Dr. King and embraced the principles of nonviolent resistance.

Following Dr. King’s death, George walked along the right side of the wagon that carried Dr. King’s casket as part of the crowd control team. He was stepping into his role as a keeper of the dream of a man he most admired.

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A Career of Service: The YMCA Years

George later built a career with the YMCA that lasted for 46 years. He used his passion for encouraging young people and strengthening communities as an YMCA executive in Georgia, South Carolina, Washington state and North Carolina. He was also a national trainer and facilitator. He retired as president and CEO of the Newark YMCA in New Jersey in 20xx.

The George Shinhoster Experience: Bringing History to Life

For more than 20 years, George shared his experiences as sought-after storyteller and tour guide for the annual pilgrimage that the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Women takes to civil rights sites in Alabama. The Evelyn G. Lowery Civil Rights Heritage Educational Tour traces the steps of the Civil Rights Movement throughout Alabama each March to commemorate “Bloody Sunday.”

George is a partner with Majestic Travels GA, a civil rights tour company. He also is one of the principals of the Earl T. Shinhoster Youth Leadership Institute, created to honor his late brother and, where he prepares middle and high school students to become leaders in their schools and communities.

Today, he is president of The George Shinhoster Experience, an enterprise that highlights George’s civil rights movement journey and career achievements through storytelling and engaging facilitation.

George Shinhoster's story is not over. It is written every time he opens a door to the past for someone who needs to walk through it.