The American Diplomat

The American Diplomat explores the lives and legacies of three African American ambassadors—Edward R. Dudley, Terrence Todman, and Carl Rowan—who pushed past historical and institutional racial barriers and reached high-ranking appointments in the Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy administrations. Dudley, Todman, and Rowan were asked to represent the best of American ideals while facing discrimination at home in the midst of the civil rights movement in the United States.  

The American Diplomat combines rare archival footage, in-depth oral histories, and interviews with family members, colleagues, and diplomats to paint a portrait of three men who created a lasting impact on the content and character of the Foreign Service and changed American diplomacy forever.  

The American Diplomat is a part of PBS’ African American Experience collection and viewable online at PBS.