Hankerson, Elijah H.

Elijah H. Hankerson was born in Live Oak, Florida and attended Florida Memorial Institute, then known as the Florida Normal and Industrial Institute. He graduated from Florida Memorial College, with an AA degree in 1939, and went on to Pacific Lutheran University where he obtained his AB. He attended the University of Maine, and also attended the Florida Memorial School of Religion, the exact dates of which are unclear. Elijah Hankerson served as a staff chaplain for the United States Airforce and retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In addition to his education and professional experiences, he found time to work with various professional societies, including the NAACP Urban League, and the National Baptist Convention. Mr. Hankerson had also published in several newspapers and magazines, but made note that none of these publications at the time had achieved national status.