Cornelius Golightly facts for kids

Cornelius Lacy Golightly (May 23, 1917 – March 20, 1976) was an important American leader. He was the first Black president of the Detroit Board of Education. He was also a teacher, a civil rights activist, and a smart thinker who helped schools.

Early Life and Family

Cornelius L. Golightly was born in Waterford, Mississippi, on March 23, 1917. He had a big family, with nine brothers and sisters. His parents were Reverend Richmond Mack Golightly and Margaret Fullilove.

Golightly's College Years

In 1934, when he was 17, Golightly started college at Talladega College in Alabama. He was a great student and also good at sports. In 1938, he took part in a special contest called the "Intellectual Olympics" in New York City. He was one of only five Black students in the whole United States to win honors in this competition.

Advanced Studies in Philosophy

After graduating from Talladega in 1938, Golightly went to the University of Michigan. He studied philosophy, which is about big ideas and how we think. He earned his Master's degree in 1939 and his PhD (a very high degree) in 1941.

A Career in Education and Civil Rights

Golightly began his career teaching philosophy and social science at Howard University from 1942 to 1943. During this time, he also led the Barnett-Aden Gallery in Washington, DC.

Fighting for Fair Employment

In 1943, Golightly worked as a Compliance Analyst for the Fair Employment Practice Committee (FEPC). This committee helped make sure people were hired fairly, no matter their race.

Breaking Barriers in Academia

In 1945, Golightly returned to teaching at Olivet College. He became a professor of philosophy and psychology. This was a very important moment because he was the first Black philosopher to get a permanent teaching job at a mostly white college in the 20th century.

In 1949, he left Olivet College. He disagreed with new rules that limited what professors could teach or say, especially during the Cold War. He then joined the philosophy department at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he taught until 1955.

Teaching in Milwaukee and Detroit

From 1955 to 1969, Golightly taught at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. In 1969, he moved to Detroit to work at Wayne State University. He became an Associate Dean and a professor of philosophy. This made him the first African American to teach in Wayne State's philosophy department.