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Ambassador to South Africa, Black History, Black History Month, Blue Lines, Blue Lines Blog, Edward Joseph Perkins, Edward Perkins, Jefferson High School, Key Yemaya Walker, Louisiana, Oregon, Portland, South Africa, Sterlington, This Day In American History, U.N. Ambassador, U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, University of Maryland University College, University of Southern California
Edward Perkins, the first Black Ambassador to South Africa, was nominated U.N. Ambassador on this date in 1986.
Edward Joseph Perkins (born June 8, 1928) is a former American diplomat. He served as U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, South Africa, and the United Nations 1992-1993. He was later Director of the US State Department’s Diplomatic Corps.
Perkins was born in Sterlington, Louisiana, son of Edward Joseph Perkins, Sr. and Tiny Estella Noble Holmes. He grew up in Pine Bluff, AR and graduated in 1947 from Jefferson High School in Portland, Oregon. He earned his B.A. from the University of Maryland University College in 1967, and his M.A. and Doctor of Public Administration from the University of Southern California. He is an active member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and holds the highest honor the fraternity bestows on its members, the Laurel Wreath award.
The manuscript Blue Lines is the fictional coming of age narrative of a young California woman Key Yemaya Walker, and her 2 year growing journey through school, love, and life period piece, written by Kenneth Suffern, Jr., taking place at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill between the years of 1997 – 1998. Loosely based on true events, and experiences during that time, told through the eyes and voice of the main female protagonist, a freshman first attending the school.
Blue Lines Blog 