Truman Gibson

Truman Kella Gibson, Jr. (January 22, 1912 – December 23, 2005) was an African-American businessman, attorney, 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. He discusses his early life and some of his achievements in his Oral History interview in the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum website.

Early life

Gibson, the son of an insurance executive, was born in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Louis, whom Gibson was charged with entertaining while Gibson’s law firm negotiated deals with Louis' management. He also helped organize Chicago’s American Negro Exposition in 1940, marking the 75th anniversary of emancipation. Joe Louis, then assigned to Fort Riley for basic training, who had known Gibson in Chicago, had intervened on behalf of the OCS candidates. Among the OCS applications Gibson facilitated was that of a young Jackie Robinson. Perhaps Gibson’s greatest contribution as civilian aide was his role in the creation of the 1944 war propaganda film, The Negro Soldier. Produced by Frank Capra, 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 common in Hollywood pictures. At Gibson’s prodding, the film was screened to all new recruits and played in cinemas across the country.

In December 1946, 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 Executive Order 9981, which led to desegregation of the armed forces. Dorfman approached Gibson, who was a friend of his, to make this arrangement, while Baker paid Louis' travel and hotel expenses.

Later life and legacy

By the early 1960s, Gibson abandoned boxing and went into private practice. Over the years, he worked with the School for Automotive Trades in Chicago and acted as secretary of the Chicago Land Clearance Commission. He served on the boards of directors of the Chicago Community Fund and Roosevelt University and remained a member of the Cook County Bar Association. Gibson continued to reside in Chicago and practiced law up until his death on December 23, 2005.