Celebrating 28 Days of Black Excellence. Past and Present: Judge Albert Thompson

Throughout the month of February, The Courier Eco Latino honors Black History Month by spotlighting one local African American leader—past or present—each day. The series features trailblazers, educators, entrepreneurs, artists, advocates, and unsung heroes whose contributions have helped shape the soul, strength, and future of our community.

These are stories that may not always make headlines, but make a difference every day. From classrooms to boardrooms, from pulpits to protest lines, from small businesses to grassroots movements, each honoree reflects resilience, leadership, and service rooted right here at home.

Judge Albert W. Thompson, a towering figure in Columbus and Muscogee County civic life, is remembered as a pioneer of desegregation, a barrier-breaker in public service and a mentor whose influence still shapes the community decades after his death.

Born in 1922, Albert W. Thompson pursued higher education at a time when opportunity for African Americans was sharply limited. He earned his undergraduate degree from Savannah State College and went on to receive his law degree from Howard University School of Law, one of the nation’s most important training grounds for Black legal leaders during the civil rights era.

In 1951, Thompson made history as the first Black person admitted to the bar in Columbus, Georgia, opening doors that had long been closed and setting a precedent for future generations of attorneys. Fourteen years later, in 1965, he again broke new ground when he became the first Black person elected to public office in Muscogee County and one of the early African American members to help desegregate the Georgia House of Representatives.

Thompson served seven terms in the General Assembly, where his leadership and command of the law earned widespread respect. His appointment as chair of the Special Judiciary Committee marked another milestone, making him the House’s first Black committee chairman — a powerful signal of changing times in Georgia politics.

In 1980, Thompson reached yet another historic first when he was appointed a Superior Court judge. He later continued his public service as an administrative law judge with the State Board of Workers’ Compensation, retiring from the bench in 1991 after decades devoted to justice and the rule of law.

Beyond his professional achievements, Thompson was deeply engaged in community life. He played a leadership role in the local Civil Rights Movement and generously volunteered his time and expertise to numerous civic and service organizations, quietly mentoring young leaders and encouraging participation in public service.

Although Thompson died in 2004, his legacy remains firmly embedded in Columbus. His life stands as a testament to perseverance, principled leadership and the lasting impact one individual can have in reshaping institutions and inspiring generations to come.