Truman Gibson
Encyclopedia
Truman Kella Gibson, Jr. (January 22, 1912 – December 23, 2005) was an American lawyer, government advisor, and later influential boxing promoter who played a unique and unheralded role in the Civil Rights Movement
, primarily as a member of the "Black Cabinet
" of Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt
and Harry S Truman.
, whom Gibson was charged with entertaining while Gibson’s law firm negotiated deals with Louis’ management. Also during this time, he helped to organize Chicago’s American Negro Exposition in 1940, marking the 75th anniversary of emancipation.
Gibson's exposition experience drew the attention of progressives within the federal government. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had created the post of civilian aide to the Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson
, to speak on behalf of black men in the army. In 1940, Gibson was appointed as an assistant to this newly-named adviser, William H. Hastie
. Gibson's tasks included investigating complaints from black soldiers facing indignities, and sometimes violence, during their stateside training. On one occasion, Gibson was instrumental in obtaining decision on the applications of several black Officer Candidate School
candidates from Fort Riley
, Kansas, whose OCS applications had been inexplicably delayed for several months. Gibson’s friend from Chicago Joe Louis
(then assigned to Fort Riley for basic training) had intervened on behalf of the OCS candidates. Among the OCS applications Gibson facilitated turned out to be that of a young Jackie Robinson
, later to break the baseball color barrier.
In 1943, Gibson acceded to the position of Chief Civilian Advisor to Secretary Stimson on upon Hastie's resignation. Perhaps Gibson’s greatest contribution as civilian aide was his role in the creation of a war propaganda film, The Negro Soldier. Produced by Frank Capra, who made It’s a Wonderful Life, the film portrayed black men as brave, intelligent and patriotic. It was by far the highest quality film about black Americans yet made, with a propaganda message quite at odds with the demeaning black stereotypes of Hollywood. At Gibson’s prodding, the film was screened to all new recruits, and played in cinemas across the country. For this and other service, Gibson was awarded the Legion of Merit
in 1945.
In December 1946, Mr. Gibson was named to President Harry S. Truman's nine-member civilian commission studying the future of universal military training; he was the panel's only black member. In May 1947, when it issued its report, the commission urged an end to segregation in the military. Fourteen months later, Truman issued an executive order that led to desegregation of the armed forces.
But legal troubles followed. The IBC was dissolved after the Supreme Court ruled in 1959 that it had violated antitrust law. Two years later, Mr. Gibson and four co-defendants – Frankie Carbo
, once described by the New York district attorney's office as "the underworld czar of boxing", Louis Tom Dragna
, Joe Sica, and Frank Palermo – were convicted in federal court of conspiracy and extortion in an effort to siphon off earnings from the welterweight champion Don Jordan
. Gibson was sentenced to five years' probation and fined.
African-American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968)
The African-American Civil Rights Movement refers to the movements in the United States aimed at outlawing racial discrimination against African Americans and restoring voting rights to them. This article covers the phase of the movement between 1955 and 1968, particularly in the South...
, primarily as a member of the "Black Cabinet
Black Cabinet
The Black Cabinet was first known as the Federal Council of Negro Affairs, an informal group of African-American public policy advisors to United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It was supported by the first lady Eleanor Roosevelt...
" of Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
and Harry S Truman.
Early life
Gibson, the son of an insurance executive, was born in Atlanta, Georgia, just a few years after a brutal race riot in the city. While still young, he moved with his family to Columbus, Ohio. He graduated from the University of Chicago in 1932 and obtained a degree from its law school in 1935.Lawyer and government advisor
From 1935 to 1940, Gibson practiced law in Chicago. During this time, Gibson met then up-and-coming boxer Joe LouisJoe Louis
Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949. He is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time...
, whom Gibson was charged with entertaining while Gibson’s law firm negotiated deals with Louis’ management. Also during this time, he helped to organize Chicago’s American Negro Exposition in 1940, marking the 75th anniversary of emancipation.
Gibson's exposition experience drew the attention of progressives within the federal government. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had created the post of civilian aide to the Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson
Henry L. Stimson
Henry Lewis Stimson was an American statesman, lawyer and Republican Party politician and spokesman on foreign policy. He twice served as Secretary of War 1911–1913 under Republican William Howard Taft and 1940–1945, under Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt. In the latter role he was a leading hawk...
, to speak on behalf of black men in the army. In 1940, Gibson was appointed as an assistant to this newly-named adviser, William H. Hastie
William H. Hastie
William Henry Hastie, Jr. was an American, lawyer, judge, educator, public official, and advocate for the civil rights of African Americans...
. Gibson's tasks included investigating complaints from black soldiers facing indignities, and sometimes violence, during their stateside training. On one occasion, Gibson was instrumental in obtaining decision on the applications of several black Officer Candidate School
Officer Candidate School
Officer Candidate School or Officer Cadet School are institutions which train civilians and enlisted personnel in order for them to gain a commission as officers in the armed forces of a country....
candidates from Fort Riley
Fort Riley
Fort Riley is a United States Army installation located in Northeast Kansas, on the Kansas River, between Junction City and Manhattan. The Fort Riley Military Reservation covers 100,656 acres in Geary and Riley counties and includes two census-designated places: Fort Riley North and Fort...
, Kansas, whose OCS applications had been inexplicably delayed for several months. Gibson’s friend from Chicago Joe Louis
Joe Louis
Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949. He is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time...
(then assigned to Fort Riley for basic training) had intervened on behalf of the OCS candidates. Among the OCS applications Gibson facilitated turned out to be that of a young Jackie Robinson
Jackie Robinson
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
, later to break the baseball color barrier.
In 1943, Gibson acceded to the position of Chief Civilian Advisor to Secretary Stimson on upon Hastie's resignation. Perhaps Gibson’s greatest contribution as civilian aide was his role in the creation of a war propaganda film, The Negro Soldier. Produced by Frank Capra, who made It’s a Wonderful Life, the film portrayed black men as brave, intelligent and patriotic. It was by far the highest quality film about black Americans yet made, with a propaganda message quite at odds with the demeaning black stereotypes of Hollywood. At Gibson’s prodding, the film was screened to all new recruits, and played in cinemas across the country. For this and other service, Gibson was awarded the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
in 1945.
In December 1946, Mr. Gibson was named to President Harry S. Truman's nine-member civilian commission studying the future of universal military training; he was the panel's only black member. In May 1947, when it issued its report, the commission urged an end to segregation in the military. Fourteen months later, Truman issued an executive order that led to desegregation of the armed forces.
Boxing promoter
Mr. Gibson returned to private law practice in Chicago after the war. After helping Joe Louis with tax problems in 1949, Gibson took on the role of director and secretary of Joe Louis Enterprises, and entered the world of professional boxing as a manager and promoter. Gibson became secretary and later president of the International Boxing Club (IBC), which promoted important title fights and arranged national television coverage of the sport during the 1950's. In 1959, Gibson became one of the three original directors of the Chicago-based National Boxing Enterprises, the company that brought the legendary Friday night fights to television.But legal troubles followed. The IBC was dissolved after the Supreme Court ruled in 1959 that it had violated antitrust law. Two years later, Mr. Gibson and four co-defendants – Frankie Carbo
Frankie Carbo
Paul John Carbo better known as "Frankie Carbo" was a New York City Mafia soldier in the Lucchese crime family, who operated as a boxing promoter and a gunman with Murder, Inc....
, once described by the New York district attorney's office as "the underworld czar of boxing", Louis Tom Dragna
Louis Tom Dragna
Louis Tom Dragna is a former mobster and nephew of Jack Dragna and son of Tom Dragna. He was active in the Los Angeles crime family from the 1940s until the early 1980s.-Early life:...
, Joe Sica, and Frank Palermo – were convicted in federal court of conspiracy and extortion in an effort to siphon off earnings from the welterweight champion Don Jordan
Don Jordan
Don Jordan was a boxer born in Los Angeles, California and was the undisputed Welterweight Champion of the World from 1958 to 1960. His nickname was ‘Geronimo’...
. Gibson was sentenced to five years' probation and fined.