Ralph Thomas

Ralph Thomas (born 1938) is a Canadian activist and former amateur boxer from Willow Grove, New Brunswick, Canada. He was the president of Pride of Race, Unity and Dignity through Education (PRUDE), a New Brunswick-based organization promoting inclusion. He is also a co-founder of the New Brunswick Black History Society, an organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Black history in New Brunswick.

Early life Thomas was born in 1938 and was raised in Willow Grove, a nearby settlement founded by Black refugees. Thomas grew up at a time where racism and racial segregation existed in Saint John, and siblings of his who lived there were restricted from entering certain establishments such as the Admiral Beatty Hotel.

Early career For a large part of his career, Thomas worked in the automotive trade industry. He was also a 28-year long member of the board of directors of the Canadian Amateur Boxing Association. In 1968, he created Golden Gloves, a boxing club based in Saint John. an advocacy group dedicated to assisting visible minorities and newcomers in Saint John. Through his advocacy work, Thomas has educated young people in the province about Black history.

In June 2010, Thomas co-founded the New Brunswick Black History Society (NBBHS), Through his advocacy work with other NBBHS and PRUDE Inc. members, Thomas has done several presentations educating others about Black history in New Brunswick. renaming them to honour historical Black figures in the province such as Abraham Beverley Walker.

Thomas has received multiple awards and accolades for his advocacy work, including the New Brunswick Human Rights Award in 2012, and the Order of New Brunswick in 2021.