Overheard at Table 2: William Hastie

Before Thurgood Marshall there was William Hastie... served in FDR's administration, was head of the Law Department at Harvard, wrote a constitution for the US Virgin Islands, was chief judge, then governor of the Virgin Islands ... worked with the Secretary of War during WWII, then resigned in protest because they wouldn't integrate the troops, and I think he was even considered for the Supreme Court in the early 60's.   Here is another great African American who had a career not only of "first AA" but also replete with accomplishments and distinction for his work on its own merit.

https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/hastie-william-henry-1904-1976/
https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/library/oral-histories/hastie
https://www.infoplease.com/people/william-henry-hastie