Jesse Ernest Wilkins Sr. (February 1, 1894 – January 19, 1959) was a U.S. lawyer, labor leader, undersecretary in the Eisenhower administration and both the first African-American to be. J esse Ernest Wilkins Sr. was a U. S. lawyer, labor leader, undersecretary in the Eisenhower administration and both the first African-American to be appointed to a sub. Chicago Lawyer J. Ernest Wilkins (Sr), son of a Missouri Baptist preacher, is the only Negro ever to attain the title of assistant secretary in the Federal Government. He attained it last March,.
Chicago Lawyer J. Ernest Wilkins (Sr), son of a Missouri Baptist preacher, is the only Negro ever to attain the title of assistant secretary in the Federal Government. He attained it last March,.