Ulas Hayes

Rev. Dr. Ulas Hayes (December 13, 1918 – March 7, 1990) was a civil rights icon from Louisiana.

Ulas Hayes
Born	Ulysses Hayes December 3, 1923 Zachary, Louisiana, United States
Died	March 7, 1990 (aged 66) Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Organization	First Ward Voters League
Movement	Civil Rights Movement
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Anderson Hayes of Deerford, Louisiana
Children	Eddie Lee Hayes,(deceased) Joyce Lee Hayes Eubanks Donald Ray Hayes,(deceased)
Parent(s)	Bennie Hayes Elizabeth Williams Hayes

Early life and education

Hayes, one of ten children, was born in Zachary, Louisiana, on December 3, 1918. His father, Bennie Hayes, the son of a preacher, first supported his family as a sharecropper. Bennie Hayes eventually became one of the few African American business owners in Louisiana during the Jim Crow era, running the Hayes Grocery Store. Pop Bennie, as he was called also served as a deacon in his father's church.

Ulas Hayes went to Southern University A&M where he attended Law School and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education. He later earned a Master of Education degree in Secondary Education from Southern University A&M. A Bachelor's degree in Political Science.

From an early age Hayes was encouraged by his mother, Elizabeth Williams Hayes to become a preacher. He went to Inter-Baptist Theological Center and graduated with an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity, Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling, and a Master of Arts in Christian Education. He also earned a Doctorate of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctorate of Philosophy from Leland College and Doctor of Divinity Degree from Interdenominational Theological Center.