Thomas Lyles

Thomas LylesThomas Lyles
(1843-1920)
African American community activist and entrepreneur.

Thomas Lyles broke a number of barriers. Your students will learn about:

  • His work running businesses—a barbershop, funeral home and newspaper
  • St. Paul’s African American community at the turn of the last century
  • His fight against racial discrimination
  • The migration of African Americans to Minnesota in the years following the Civil War

Grades K-8
“Northern Lights” Chapter 13