Herbert P. Douglas Jr.

Herbert Douglas was born to Herbert Douglas Sr., and Ilessa M. Douglas in 1922. Herbert Douglas is the longest living African American Olympic medalist and was an Olympic long jumper. His father owned a parking garage in the Shadyside neighborhood of Pittsburgh, and Herb might have joined the family business if not for the great athleticism he exhibited. His parents were a great support system for him and encouraged him to pursue a career in sports. He was the first black basketball player in his high school, Allderdice High, in 1940. However, due to discrimination from the white teammates he ended up quitting. He was recruited to Xavier University in New Orleans on an athletic scholarship but later transferred to the University of Pittsburgh in 1945. In 1948, Douglas won the bronze medal in London for the long jump competitions. After the end of his Olympic career, he entered the corporate world in 1963 and eventually became the vice president of Schieffelin and Company, currently known as Moet/Hennessy. Douglas went on to focus on philanthropic work after his retirement. He established the International Amateur Athletic Association in 1980 in honor of Jesse Owens, a noted Olympic athlete whom Douglas regarded as his hero.