Diverse Diplomats Archives - National Museum of American Diplomacy

The Composure and Leadership of Ambassador Aurelia Brazeal

The Composure and Leadership of Ambassador Aurelia Brazeal https://i2.wp.com/diplomacy.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/AP7405041141-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C667&ssl=1 1024 667 https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/77d297fd34b4f1cb20d77ddb5ccfdcde?s=96&d=mm&r=g April 21, 2021 April 21, 2021

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Serving 41 years in the United States Foreign Service, Ambassador Aurelia Erskine Brazeal was the first African American woman to be appointed ambassador by three presidential administrations. She was also the first Black woman to rise from entry in the Foreign Service to its senior ranks. Throughout her illustrious career, Brazeal utilized early life lessons…

The Legacy of Ambassador Edward J. Perkins: Reflections on Families in the Diplomatic Service

The Legacy of Ambassador Edward J. Perkins: Reflections on Families in the Diplomatic Service https://i2.wp.com/diplomacy.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Web-DAH-Perkins.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1 1024 576 https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/77d297fd34b4f1cb20d77ddb5ccfdcde?s=96&d=mm&r=g February 24, 2021 February 24, 2021

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Ambassador Edward J. Perkins was a distinguished American career diplomat who served as U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, South Africa, the United Nations, and Australia. In addition to his numerous accomplishments and trailblazing career, Ambassador Perkins was a devoted husband and father. Please join NMAD Acting Director Dr. Jane Carpenter-Rock as she discusses Ambassador Perkins’ life and legacy with his daughters, Katherine Perkins and Sarah Perkins.

8 Lessons in Diplomacy from Ambassador Edward J. Perkins (1928-2020)

8 Lessons in Diplomacy from Ambassador Edward J. Perkins (1928-2020) https://i1.wp.com/diplomacy.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Edward-Perkins7.12.16.jpg?fit=781%2C960&ssl=1 781 960 https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/77d297fd34b4f1cb20d77ddb5ccfdcde?s=96&d=mm&r=g February 19, 2021 February 20, 2021

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Ambassador Edward J. Perkins knew segregation well. He was born into a segregated and racist society in 1928 on a small farm in the American south. His life took him from segregated Louisiana, to a segregated military, to a world filled with anti-Black racism in Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand. Every part of his journey…

Ebenezer D. Bassett: America’s First African American Diplomat

Ebenezer D. Bassett: America’s First African American Diplomat https://i1.wp.com/diplomacy.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Basset-1600x900-1.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1 1024 576 https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e95bd4654a61a93735684584be3378bc?s=96&d=mm&r=g February 3, 2021 May 4, 2021

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In 1869, Ebenezer D. Bassett was appointed as the Minister of the Republic of Haiti, making him the first African American diplomat. Throughout his career, Bassett defended the civil rights of African Americans and black Caribbean nations 1862: Formal Recognition of the Republic of Haiti Map of Haiti in 1839 The Civil War (1861-1865), a…

A Hero of U.S. Diplomacy: Dr. Ralph J. Bunche (1904-1971)

A Hero of U.S. Diplomacy: Dr. Ralph J. Bunche (1904-1971) https://i1.wp.com/diplomacy.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bunche-as-UN-Undersecretary-General-1963-e1582647848614.jpg?fit=1024%2C760&ssl=1 1024 760 https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e95bd4654a61a93735684584be3378bc?s=96&d=mm&r=g February 1, 2021 February 12, 2021

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Dr. Ralph J. Bunche was a pioneering African American diplomat who shaped some of the most remarkable moments in the twentieth century. Dr. Ralph Bunche as a civil rights activist Born in the era of segregation and Jim Crow, Dr. Bunche spent his life engaged as a civil rights activist in the United States while…

Artifact Collection Highlights: Ambassador Dudley’s Passport and Items From a Diplomatic Courier

Artifact Collection Highlights: Ambassador Dudley’s Passport and Items From a Diplomatic Courier https://i0.wp.com/diplomacy.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Diplomatic-Courier-Items.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1 1024 768 https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/77d297fd34b4f1cb20d77ddb5ccfdcde?s=96&d=mm&r=g November 17, 2020 February 1, 2021

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The National Museum of American Diplomacy has collected some significant items in recent weeks. These include a diplomatic passport issued to Ambassador Edward R. Dudley, the first African American to hold the rank of ambassador. The passport joins a number of documents, letters, and photographs from Dudley’s trailblazing service collected in 2019. Also collected were…

The Legacy of Edward R. Dudley: Civil Rights Activist and the First African American Ambassador

The Legacy of Edward R. Dudley: Civil Rights Activist and the First African American Ambassador https://i2.wp.com/diplomacy.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Edward_Dudley_Preview_Image.jpg?fit=686%2C386&ssl=1 686 386 https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e95bd4654a61a93735684584be3378bc?s=96&d=mm&r=g June 1, 2020 February 1, 2021

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In 1949, Ambassador Edward R. Dudley was the first African American to hold the rank of ambassador. His legacy also includes a long history of civil rights activism and a distinguished career as an attorney. Edward R. Dudley’s career before diplomacy Before becoming an ambassador, Dudley had a distinguished career as an attorney. Ambassador Dudley…

African American History Diplomacy Frederick Douglass

African American History Month

African American History Month https://i2.wp.com/diplomacy.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/GWM_3-0-01_FrederickDouglass_TouchedUp-with-USDC-edits.jpg?fit=1024%2C538&ssl=1 1024 538 https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e95bd4654a61a93735684584be3378bc?s=96&d=mm&r=g February 1, 2020 February 23, 2021

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Honoring African American Trailblazers in Diplomacy These African American pioneers shaped American history. Read on to discover more about trailblazing ambassadors, influential activists, and a Nobel Peace Prize winner. Ambassador David Bolen First African American Ambassador beyond the Iron Curtain U.S. diplomat, Olympic athlete, United States Air Force WWII veteran, and University of Colorado Boulder…

Ambassador Horace Dawson speaks to attendee, a retired Foreign Service Officer.

African American Trailblazers in Diplomacy

African American Trailblazers in Diplomacy https://i2.wp.com/diplomacy.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/African-American-History-panel.jpg?fit=1024%2C683&ssl=1 1024 683 https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e95bd4654a61a93735684584be3378bc?s=96&d=mm&r=g March 11, 2019 February 1, 2021

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On February 28, the National Museum of American Diplomacy, hosted a panel discussion about five trailblazing African American diplomats: Ebenezer Bassett, Ralph Bunche, Edward Dudley, Patricia Roberts Harris, and Mabel Murphy Smythe. Hosted in conjunction with the Thursday Luncheon Group, the Carl T. Rowen Chapter of Blacks in Government, Appalachian State University, and Mr. James T.…

Panel: The First African American Diplomats

Panel: The First African American Diplomats https://diplomacy.state.gov/wp-content/themes/corpus/images/empty/thumbnail.jpg 150 150 https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/e95bd4654a61a93735684584be3378bc?s=96&d=mm&r=g March 14, 2018 February 1, 2021

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In commemoration of African American History Month, the Center hosted a program highlighting the little known diplomatic careers of Ebenezer Bassett and Frederick Douglass. The program was held on February 14th in honor of the bicentennial of Douglass’s birth. Both of these men served as U.S. Ministers — an early title equivalent to Ambassador —…