Franklin A. Thomas
Franklin A. Thomas | |
|---|---|
Thomas in 1972 | |
| Born | Franklin Augustine Thomas May 27, 1934 New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Died | December 22, 2021 (aged 87) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Education | Columbia University (BA, LLB) |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, philanthropist |
| Known for | First African American to lead the Ford Foundation |
Franklin Augustine Thomas (May 27, 1934 – December 22, 2021) was an American businessman and philanthropist who was president and CEO of the Ford Foundation from 1979 until 1996. After leaving the foundation, Thomas continued to serve in leadership positions in American corporations and was on the board of the TFF Study Group, a nonprofit institution assisting development in South Africa. Thomas was chairman of the nonprofit organization September 11th Fund from 2001 to 2004 and was involved in the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, having served as the manager of its American office.