Harry Edwards is a civil rights activist and a sociologist whose professional and personal focus centers on the sociology of sport and on athlete activism. Edwards was born in East St. Louis in 1942. After graduating high school in 1960, Edwards attended courses at Fresno City College and then transferred to San Jose State University, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1964 with a Bachelor’s degree in sociology. Edwards continued his education in sociology at Cornell University, completing his Master’s degree in 1966 and his Ph.D. in 1970. His dissertation launched his academic career as well as establishing the sociology of sport as a new area of study in the field of sociology.

During this time in the late 1960s, Edwards organized the Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR), which advocated for human rights and civil rights for Black people as well as protesting racism in athletics. The most well-known demonstration by OPHR members was the Black Power salute by OPHR members and Olympic medalists John Carlos and Tommie Smith at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City.

After completing his degrees, Edwards taught at the University of California, Berkeley starting in 1970 through 2001. He also worked with several different sports organizations including the San Francisco 49ers, Major League Baseball, and the National Basketball Association, serving in roles such as consultant, advisor, counselor, and personnel recruiter, as well as with inmate programs at the San Francisco County Jail and San Quentin State Prison.

Edwards retired from UC Berkeley in 2000, becoming Professor Emeritus of Sociology. He was the director of the Department of Parks and Recreation for the City of Oakland, California from 2001 to 2003. He has continued public and professional engagements, writings, and media appearances. He has also continued his mentorship of Black athletes and athletic professionals.