Celebrating Scouting's Living Treasures
A Tribute to African American Eagle Scouts
Many believe that Edgar Cunningham of Waterloo, Iowa, became the first African American Eagle Scout in June 1926. Though the trail to Eagle during the 1920s was a very difficult one to traverse, that did not stop the will and determination of many African American young men to pursue their dreams of becoming an Eagle Scout.
This resource honors the legacy of notable African American leaders still living today who continue to inspire today’s youth to earn that last merit badge, finish that Eagle Scout project, or go before the board of review in order to become an Eagle Scout.
We begin with Dr. Frank “Tick” Coleman.
Dr. Frank “Tick” Coleman
Community Leader and Role Model
Eagle Scout, 1927, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Dr. Frank “Tick” Coleman earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 1927, and so was one of the first African Americans to earn Scouting’s highest achievement. He is admired by prominent celebrities today, including comedian Bill Cosby, and he was a mentor to the late Ed Bradley, an award-winning television journalist. The Dr. Frank “Tick” Coleman National Service Award, a special recognition for full-time paraprofessionals, was the Boy Scouts of America’s way of honoring the legacy of Dr. Coleman. In the Scoutreach DVD An Inspirational Message From One of the First African American Eagle Scouts, Dr. Coleman shared these words:
“I was proud to wear the Boy Scout uniform, because just being a part of that organization meant a lot to me.”
Percy Ellis Sutton
Tuskegee Airman and Civil Rights Activist
Eagle Scout, 1936, San Antonio, Texas
Percy Ellis Sutton is a legend, mentor, and pioneer in business, government, and law. During World War II, he served with the Tuskegee Airman, a dedicated group of determined African American men who volunteered to become America’s first black military airmen. As a lawyer, Sutton fought for civil rights with the NAACP and as Malcolm X’s counselor. He co-founded the Inner City Broadcasting Corporation, which purchased WLIB-AM, making it the first black-owned radio station in New York City. Though retired, Mr. Sutton continues to give to the community through politics, business, and communications. In Alvin Townley’s book Legacy of Honor—The Values and Influence of America’s Eagle Scouts, Mr. Sutton shared these words:
“Scouting played a very large role in my development. It gave me access; it helped me dream. I dreamed that I could go anywhere in the Boy Scouts.”
The Honorable Sanford D. Bishop Jr.
Congressional Representative from Georgia
Eagle Scout, 1961, Mobile, Alabama
Congressman Bishop has distinguished himself as a leader uniquely dedicated to his constituents. For 30 years he has served the people of Georgia as an elected official, from the Georgia House of Representatives in 1977 through his present office in the U.S. House of Representatives. A graduate of Morehouse College and Emory Law School, Congressman Bishop is an Eagle Scout, a 33rd-degree Mason, and a Shriner. In Alvin Townley’s book Legacy of Honor—The Values and Influence of America’s Eagle Scouts, Mr. Bishop shared these words,
“I think the experiences of Scouting prepared me for leadership and gave me the values that focused me on how to harness that leadership.”
Chuck Smith
Retired President and CEO of AT&T West
Eagle Scout, 1959, Los Angeles, California
As the space race heated up in the mid-1950s, so did Chuck Smith’s excitement. The youngster in inner-city Los Angeles had been dabbling in radio—now he wanted to build rockets. A family friend who was an Eagle Scout, Scoutmaster, and ham radio operator convinced him that he could succeed, but only if he worked hard in school. In addition, he introduced Smith to an organization in which he could learn about life—how to survive and how to be a leader. That organization was the Boy Scouts of America.
After graduating from college, Smith joined Pacific Telephone (later Pacific Bell) and soon moved into management with the company. Now, 40 years later, he has retired from AT&T West (a successor company) as president and CEO. In this capacity, he oversaw more than 42,000 employees who served customers in California and Nevada. Smith says,
“Clearly I wouldn’t have been president and CEO of a Fortune 500 company if it were not for this great movement of ours. I attribute every day of my success to it.”
Notable African American Eagle Scouts
Fewer than 4 percent of all Scouts earn the Eagle rank—a testament to its high standards. Among those who have worn the Eagle Scout badge are some of America’s finest citizens.
Willie Banks |
Beasley Reece* |
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Congressman Sanford Bishop* |
Chuck Smith* |
Dr. Frank “Tick” Coleman |
Percy Sutton* |
Ernest Green* |
Togo D. West Jr. * |
Samuel Pierce* |
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Notable African Americans Who Were Scouts
The generation now being shaped by Scouting will be strengthened by deserved self-confidence and molded with its own history of kindness, bravery, honesty, and its all-out pursuit of excellence.
—Earl G. Graves, vice president, Boy Scouts of America;
founder and publisher, Black Enterprise magazine
Hank Aaron |
Bo Jackson |
Richard Roundtree |
Avery Brooks |
Michael Jordan |
Barry Sanders |
Jerry Butler |
Bob McAdoo |
Louis Sullivan |
Julius “Dr. J” Erving |
Branford Marsalis |
Ben Vereen |
Congressman Chaka Fattah |
Gen. Colin Powell |
Hershel Walker |
Earl G. Graves |
Willis Reed |
Paul Winfield |
William H. Gray III |
David Robinson |
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* Recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award