Reverend Dr. Leon D. Finney, Jr. was the publisher of the Woodlawn Observer, a real estate developer, a community organizer, a professor, and Pastor of the Metropolitan Apostolic Community Church. He worked on local and national political campaigns and provided deep support of the Woodlawn community. In 1969 he was the President of the Woodlawn Community Development Corporation. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Chicago Public Housing Authority, and was a board member of Chicago Planning Commission.

He moved to Chicago from Mississippi as a child. His father, Leon, Sr., was the namesake owner of the Chicago-famous Leon’s Bar-B-Q restaurant.

Veteran: Marines

Alum
Goddard College
McCormick Theological Seminary
Nova University
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana
Hyde Park Academy High School

Honorary Reverend Dr. Leon D. Finney, Jr. WAY

East 63rd Street between South Stony Island Avenue and South Blackstone Avenue

Approved: June 2023

Ward: 05
Alderman: Desmon Yancy
Neighborhood: Woodlawn

b. July 7, 1938 in Mississippi
d, September 4, 2020. Age 82

Source

20231659
2020

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Finney_Jr.

https://www.thehistorymakers.org/biography/reverend-dr-leon-d-finney-jr

https://abc7chicago.com/leon-finney-rev-dr-death/6580115/