Clifford Alexander Jr., first Black Army secretary, dies

Clifford Alexander Jr., 1933–2022

Clifford Leopold Alexander Jr. — a longtime public servant, lawyer, and businessman — has died. The Harlem native was 88. Alexander was an aide to President Lyndon Johnson and later became the first Black person to serve as the secretary of the Army.

NEW YORK - Clifford L. Alexander Jr., who became the first Black secretary of the Army, has died at the age of 88. The Harlem native also once served at the head of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

President Jimmy Carter appointed him to the Army secretary role in 1977. It was the first time a Black civilian was the head of any U.S. military branch.

Earlier, Alexander was an aide to President Lyndon Johnson.