The Metcalfe Collection
~ a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization ~
Preserving the legacy of an American hero
Congressman Ralph H. Metcalfe
May 30, 1910 - October 10, 1978
May 30, 1910 - October 10, 1978
Berlin, Germany - 1936 Olympic Games - Reich Stadium
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110,000 salute Hitler 
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NOT Ralph Metcalfe!
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l-r: Cornelius Johnson ran Hitler out of the stadium. He was the first black to win a gold medal, in the high jump. Louise Stokes was the first black woman to make an American Olympic team. She was not allowed to compete in the 1932 and 1936 games. Photos from the National Archives and Records Administration.
Ralph Metcalfe rose from humble origins to dominate sprinting worldwide and uplift the politics of Chicago, America and the world. His life has been described as one of the most important untold stories within the American Experience.
The International Amateur Athletics Federation’s Handbook of World Records lists 16 performances by Ralph Metcalfe, five of which enjoy official recognition. A preliminary search of our newspaper clippings reveals no less than 38 outdoor world records, and 7 more indoors. Much work remains to be done. See the list on our Athletics page.
Serving as Democratic Committeeman of the 3rd Ward, Ralph Metcalfe mentored a ground-breaking wave of leadership from his community including the first two African American mayors of Chicago, the first black president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and the first black Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.
Congressman Metcalfe’s legacy has been celebrated in exhibits at the Milwaukee Public Museum, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Jewelry Institute at Forbes Galleries. His centennial year was honored by the University of Pennsylvania Relay Carnival, the Library of Congress and in the pages of the Chicago Defender newspaper.
The International Amateur Athletics Federation’s Handbook of World Records lists 16 performances by Ralph Metcalfe, five of which enjoy official recognition. A preliminary search of our newspaper clippings reveals no less than 38 outdoor world records, and 7 more indoors. Much work remains to be done. See the list on our Athletics page.
Serving as Democratic Committeeman of the 3rd Ward, Ralph Metcalfe mentored a ground-breaking wave of leadership from his community including the first two African American mayors of Chicago, the first black president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners and the first black Chief Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court.
Congressman Metcalfe’s legacy has been celebrated in exhibits at the Milwaukee Public Museum, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and the National Jewelry Institute at Forbes Galleries. His centennial year was honored by the University of Pennsylvania Relay Carnival, the Library of Congress and in the pages of the Chicago Defender newspaper.
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