06/20/2026
On this , let's learn more about the first known Eagle Scout who was black/African American and paved the way for many other Black and African American Scouts in Scouting America.
Hamilton Bradley:
Bradley is believed to be the first Black Eagle Scout in America, whose court of honor was held on December 19, 1919. He was one of two Scouts selected to represent New York at the Eastern States Exposition in 1920, and after turning 18, he became an assistant Scoutmaster.
Bradley's Eagle Scout court of honor was held at the Rome Free Academy, according to the Rome Daily Sentinel.
After turning 18, Bradley became an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 2 in Rome, demonstrating his continued involvement and leadership in Scouting, according to a report from scouting history website.
Before the discovery of Hamilton Bradley's achievement, Harry Cooper of Missouri was thought to be the first Black Eagle Scout, having earned the award in September 1920.
Shared from various sources, Scouting website and daily sentinel
