About Us
The Lucius D. Amerson, Bridge Builder Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to preserving the legacy of Sheriff Lucius D. Amerson, the First Black Sheriff elected in the South after Reconstruction.
The foundation has two primary objectives – archiving the history of Black Elected Sheriffs; and providing scholarships to high school graduates from marginalized communities. These scholarships aim to empower underserved youth to pursue careers in trades, focusing on practical skills in fields such as electrical repair, plumbing, carpentry, and heating and air conditioning services.
Sheriff Lucius D. Amerson on the cover of Jet magazine – March 1967
Bass Reeves
Commissioned as Deputy U.S. Marshal of the Western District of Arkansas (1875)
Walter Moses Burton
First Black Sheriff Elected in the US
Fort Bend County, TX (1869)
History
The Lucius D. Amerson, Bridge Builder Foundation was conceived by Anthony E. Amerson during a poignant moment in January 2022 at a ceremony in Macon County, Alabama, which marked the renaming of a highway section to the Lucius D. Amerson Memorial Highway. Reflecting on his father’s historic election as the first black sheriff in the South post-Reconstruction, Anthony emphasized the profound impact his father had in paving the way for black law enforcement officials across the South and the entire United States. He discussed the ongoing challenges in society and the critical role of sheriffs in community rebuilding, setting the stage for the foundation’s future focus.
In his speech, Anthony delineated the evolving challenges faced by today’s law enforcement compared to his father’s time, including significant rises in serious felonies and the struggle to address the root causes of crime despite technological advances in policing. These concerns underscored the need for job training for at-risk youth, promoting image of sheriffs to promote civil responsibility and enhanced crime prevention strategies. Inspired by the global commonality of these issues and the potential solutions found abroad, Anthony announced a commitment to foster greater collaboration between African American sheriffs in the U.S. and their international counterparts. This global engagement would form a cornerstone of the Foundation’s mission, which was formally established with its 501(c)(3) status on March 22, 2024, honoring Sheriff Lucius D. Amerson’s legacy and advocating for impactful community-oriented policing.
ABOUT THE CHAIRMAN
Anthony E. Amerson is a distinguished figure with a rich background in international affairs and a notable lineage in American law enforcement. As a retired Foreign Service Contracting Officer with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), he demonstrated a commitment to global service with assignments in Pakistan, Haiti, Afghanistan, and Ethiopia. Beyond his diplomatic career, Mr. Amerson is the son of the late Lucius D. Amerson, a trailblazer in law enforcement who made history as the first Black sheriff elected in the South after Reconstruction. Lucius D. Amerson was also a founding member of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). Anthony himself is an accomplished author, having penned the book “Great Courage: The First Black Sheriff Elected in the South Since Reconstruction.”
Educationally, Mr. Amerson holds two degrees—a B.A. in Accounting from Tuskegee University (1990) and an M.A. in Procurement and Acquisition Management from Webster University (2003). This dedication to preserving the legacy of Black Sheriffs is evident in his initiation of the Lucius D. Amerson Bridge Builder Foundation in 2022. The foundation advocates for the unique challenges faced by African American sheriffs, serves as an archival depository on Black elected sheriffs past and present, and awards scholarships to high school graduates pursuing careers in workforce development in trade fields. Recently, the foundation completed mapping the location of all African-American sheriffs currently in office.
Currently residing in Washington DC, Anthony E. Amerson serves as an Acquisition Consultant to federal clients, leveraging his extensive expertise in procurement and international relations. His multifaceted career and commitment to education and advocacy underscore his impactful contributions to both the global and domestic arenas.
BOARD MEMBERS
Dr. Keith Hayes
Dr. Hayes, a retired Lieutenant Colonel (LTC), served our nation for 33 years in the United States Army, Reserves, and National Guard. Commissioned into the Infantry Corps at Tuskegee University, LTC Hayes served in several command and staff positions in U.S. Special Operations Command and its subordinate units. LTC Hayes participated in several mobilizations and deployments in support NATO operations and the Global War on Terrorism. His distinguished military career is highlighted by receiving the Bronze Star, one of the highest military honors for bravery, meritorious service, and commitment to duty.
He retired after serving 30 years as a professional educator in the Prince George’s County Public School System. Dr. Hayes began his career as a high school social studies teacher and progressively assumed positions of greater responsibility.
During his tenure with the Department of Career and Technology Education, he supported student academic growth and the development of workforce opportunities as a Program Coordinator, later an Instructional Specialist, and was appointed to the position of Instructional Supervisor, a position held until retirement. In this role, Dr. Hayes was responsible for the district’s Public Safety, Security, and Services programs, servicing over 4,000 high school students and JROTC cadets annually. His leadership and innovative approach significantly enhanced the educational experiences and opportunities available to students in the district.
Throughout his career, Dr. Hayes has been a staunch advocate for integrating international education perspectives into local curricula, ensuring that students are prepared to succeed in a globalized world. His doctoral research focused on the intersection of education leadership and international education, providing valuable insights into how educational systems can be improved through cross-cultural collaboration and policy reform.
As a member of the board of directors, Dr. Hayes is committed to leveraging his extensive knowledge and experience to support the organization’s mission and vision. His strategic thinking, combined with a deep passion for education, make him an invaluable asset to this board and the broader educational community.
Leslie Thompson, Esq.
Leslie A. Thompson is our Fundraising Czar. He brings 30+ years of organizational experience and enthusiasm in the arena of charitable fundraising. His efforts have helped generate close to $500K for scholarships, community programs, and other benevolent endeavors in Atlanta, Georgia over the last decade.
Mr. Thompson is a native of Montgomery, Alabama, where he was valedictorian of his graduating class at George Washington Carver High School. He subsequently attended the University of Alabama on scholarship and graduated with a degree in Industrial Engineering. After five years of working as an IE in manufacturing plants in Alabama, Mr. Thompson sought a different career path. He graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia. Subsequently, he plied his craft at one of the largest law firms in the world before working at two smaller intellectual property law firms. Mr. Thompson has successfully prosecuted hundreds of patent and trademark applications before the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO). In addition, his success extends to representing clients in opposition and cancellation proceedings before the Trademark Trial & Appeal Board at the USPTO. Once Mr. Thompson was no longer practicing law, he started an intellectual property processing company that assists pro se applicants with filing their patent, trademark, and copyright applications.
In his personal life, Mr. Thompson is an avid traveler, epicurean, oenophile, and thalassophile. He is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and President of the Beta Eta Alumni Association. Besides his philanthropy, Mr. Thompson works diligently in his community to raise awareness about voter education/registration, human trafficking, and social justice initiatives.