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On May 17, 1882, Albert Jackson became the first black postman in Toronto, Canada. In 1858, the runaway slave fought through the Underground Railroad and through the racist southern lands to get to Canada. He, his mother and sibling escaped with the help of William Still. Still helped the family flee to Philadelphia, then to Canada.

Once he arrived, Jackson was offered a job as the first black postman, only to be discriminated against by his co-workers. No one would train him and the local press called him an “obnoxious colored man” in the headlines. The Canadian postal service demoted him down to hall porter.

Jackson’s case became the center of a political battle in Toronto. The community of black voters rallied together for justice. Jackson’s story finally reached the desk of then Prime Minister, John A. Macdonald. With a political election close at hand, Macdonald fought on behalf of Jackson and he was re-instated as a mailman. With 36 years of service to the Canadian Postal Service, he had become a pillar of the community and respected landowner.

Little Known Black History Fact: Albert Jackson  was originally published on blackamericaweb.com

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