Uncrowned Community Builders

James T. Anderson, a member of one of the oldest Black families in Buffalo, could trace his family back to 1832. His grandfather was Dr. Benjamin C. Taylor. His mother was Estelle Taylor Anderson and his father was Gustavus Anderson. A sibling, Amelia Anderson was an active Club woman, NAACP member and fought for civil rights in the city and state.

Anderson started a paper route that he grew to be one of the biggest in the City when he was a boy. This experience may have led to his career choice.

He was the first African American hired by the Courier Express Newspaper. He would become the first African American General District Manager in charge of circulation for the Courier. He was married to Ora Lewis Anderson. He died on March 28, 1941 and is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery.