Studio portrait from the 1920s of William T. Francis. Discover the inspiring story of William T. Francis, Minnesota's pioneering African American diplomat who fought for justice in Liberia.

William T. Francis: Minnesota’s Trailblazing African American Diplomat

Discover the inspiring story of William T. Francis, Minnesota’s pioneering African American diplomat who fought for justice in Liberia. #BlackHistoryMonth #Legacy #Trailblazer

St. Paul, Minnesota – In honor of Black History Month, let’s shine a light on a remarkable figure from Minnesota’s past, William T. Francis. Born in 1869, Francis embarked on an extraordinary journey from a railway messenger to becoming Minnesota’s first African American diplomat in Liberia.

Francis’s career took off in St. Paul, where he climbed the ranks at the Northern Pacific railway and later earned a law degree. As a lawyer, he championed civil rights and fought against racism, including challenging the controversial film “Birth of a Nation.”

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In 1927, President Calvin Coolidge appointed him as the U.S. Minister and Consul to Liberia. There, Francis uncovered and reported on the government’s involvement in forced labor practices.

Tragically, his dedication to justice was cut short when he succumbed to yellow fever in 1929.

Don’t miss: The story of William’s wife – Nellie Francis, a pioneering African American woman who fought for civil rights and women’s suffrage in Minnesota. Read here.

Francis’s legacy lives on, as his work led to significant changes in Liberia and highlighted the ongoing struggle for human rights. His story is a testament to the impact one individual can have in the fight for justice and equality.

🗣 What did you think of today’s story? Who is your fave Black History Hero? Let us know in the comments below. ⬇️

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