Franklin A. Thomas

Franklin A. Thomas
Thomas in 1972
Born
Franklin Augustine Thomas

(1934-05-27)May 27, 1934
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedDecember 22, 2021(2021-12-22) (aged 87)
New York City, New York, U.S.
EducationColumbia University (BA, LLB)
Occupation(s)Businessman, philanthropist
Known forFirst African American to lead the Ford Foundation

Franklin Augustine Thomas (May 27, 1934 – December 22, 2021) was an American businessman and philanthropist who was president and CEO of the Ford Foundation[1] from 1979 until 1996.[2] After leaving the foundation, Thomas continued to serve in leadership positions in American corporations and was on the board of the TFF Study Group, a nonprofit institution assisting development in South Africa.[3] Thomas was chairman of the nonprofit organization September 11th Fund from 2001 to 2004[2] and was involved in the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, having served as the manager of its American office.[4][5]

  1. ^ Roberts, Sam (March 21, 2016). "U.C.L.A. Center on Police-Community Ties Will Move to John Jay College". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 14, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Potter, Joan (November 24, 2009). African American Firsts: Famous Little-Known and Unsung Triumphs of Blacks in America. Dafina Books. pp. 104–. ISBN 978-0-7582-4166-5. Retrieved May 5, 2011.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference UN was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Nelson Mandela Child Fund USA | Better Business Bureau® Profile". www.bbb.org. Retrieved May 22, 2020.
  5. ^ "Blog Archives". Nelson Mandela Childrens Fund. Retrieved May 22, 2020.