James Wormley Jones was a pioneering figure in Black history as the first African American FBI agent. Born in Fort Monroe, Virginia in 1884, Jones served in the U.S. military during World War I. In 1919, he was recruited by J. Edgar Hoover to join the Bureau of Investigation, which would later become the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Jones was instrumental in breaking down racial barriers at the FBI and paved the way for future Black agents in the organization. Despite facing discrimination and segregation within the agency, Jones excelled in his role and played a key part in several high-profile cases.

Jones left the FBI in 1923 to become a special agent for the Treasury Department, but his legacy as the first Black FBI agent is highly significant in Black history. His determination and perseverance in the face of adversity helped open doors for other African Americans in law enforcement and set an important precedent for racial equality within the FBI.