1910 – Birth of Scipio Africanus Jones Jr., African-American Diplomat in Liberia

Scipio Africanus Jones Jr. was born on May 23, 1910, into a legacy of Black excellence and civil rights. As a U.S. diplomat, he was stationed in Liberia during a critical period of Pan-African solidarity and Cold War politics. His career highlights the strategic importance of African-American diplomatic missions to newly independent African nations. Jones Jr.’s presence in Liberia helped to strengthen Black transnational alliances and further U.S.-Africa engagement through a racial lens. His work laid a foundation for future African-American ambassadors in the Global South and exemplified Black leadership in international affairs. His story is a reminder of how African Americans played key roles in shaping U.S. foreign policy during decolonization. May 23 marks not just his birth, but the entry of Black American diplomacy into a new global era—one that challenged white supremacy on an international stage.