Rochester has a history of remarkable African Americans. While much of the focus of Black History Month is rightfully on Martin Luther, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, this focus comes at the cost of not remembering our own. This remarkable history should be remembered and celebrated, so let’s start with Father Thomas James.

As the NY Times reported on 7/25/1884 “The man was Rev. Father Thomas James of Rochester, one of the pioneers of the race against slavery in this country, and who now nearly 80 years old, is lecturing, that he may raise money to pay for an operation upon his eyes, by which he expects to make himself good for 15 years more of work. Father James was born a salve in Canajoharie, New-York, and when 18 years old escaped to Canada. He began preaching in 1829, organizing a colored church. Soon after he commenced to lecture against slavery, and was mobbed 16 times, as he said last night. He was first to stand up for his rights on railroad trains, and in 1841, which in Massachusetts, he refused to go into the “Jim Crow” car.  After a struggle, he was ejected from a first class coach, and on his taking the matter into court won his case, which led to the doing away of prescription in that State.  During the war (the Civil War) Father James did much service in relieving slaves, and was a member of the military police under Gen. Palmer in Kentucky.”

For more information, and there is much more read his wikipedia page.