First black cia agent Bolden (born January 19, 1935) is an American former United States Secret Service agent - the first African-American Secret Service agent assigned to the Presidential Protective Division, appointed by John F. The CIA is headed by a director and deputy director, only one of whom may be a military officer. Jul 7, 2025 · Ivan Dixon’s seminal adaptation of the Sam Greenlee novel follows the fictional first Black CIA agent whose disillusionment within the agency fuels his own activism and training of civilians in Chicago to become freedom fighters. For spy thriller & mystery movie lovers this would be a good recommendation from All time Movies. Former CIA employee John Collinge confirmed his wife’s death and shared that she passed away from ENERGY, INSPIRATION, FOCUS BIO: Leutrell “Mike” Osborne joined the CIA in 1957, and became one of the first African American Case Officers (C/O). Feb 12, 2024 · George wound up being the first black officer to undertake months-long escape and evasion training as part of the program. Dan Freeman, the titular protagonist, is enlisted by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in its elitist Aug 23, 2024 · One of the most radical, revolutionary statements in film history, Ivan Dixon’s explosive adaptation of the novel by Sam Greenlee follows the fictional first Black CIA agent (Cook), who uses his specialized training to build a guerrilla army intent on government overthrow. For five years Dan Freeman had been the best spook of all as he conned the entire CIA while Jul 10, 2024 · One of the most radical, revolutionary statements in film history, The Spook Who Sat by the Door follows Dan Freeman, brilliantly portrayed by Lawrence Cook, the fictional first Black CIA agent Nov 4, 2025 · CIA was ordered to series on April 22, 2025, with Tom Ellis cast as the CIA lead working alongside an FBI agent, played by Nick Gehlfuss. Within the intelligence community, Blocker was known for participating in a What does that have to do with the first Black CIA agent? Abraham W. Kennedy who had personally appointed him in 1961. It follows the first Black CIA agent to complete rigorous agency training, who then uses that knowledge to plot a Black revolution. A new 4K restoration of the long unavailable, galvanizing masterpiece! Ivan Dixon’s seminal adaptation of the Sam Greenlee novel follows the fictional first Black CIA agent whose disillusionment within the agency fuels his own activism and training of civilians in Chicago to become freedom fighters. Sam Greenlee's satirical novel The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1969) criticizes the racist atmosphere of the United States by examining the life of a fictitious black CIA agent, Dan Freeman, who is recruited under the efforts of Senator Gilbert Hennington to integrate the Central Intelligence Agency. He directed CIA agents and assets in over 24 countries on three continents. Apr 23, 2025 · The show is meant to center around a by-the-books FBI agent and a street-smart CIA agent (Ellis) who are chosen to take part in a new, secret task-force on the hunt to prevent and solve domestic terrorism in New York City. Due to its historical and cultural significance, the film was deservedly added to the National Film Registry in 2012. Kennedy. Dewey Decimal. But the On an early March morning in 1995, two terrorist gunmen attacked a van transporting US Government workers to their jobs at an American Consulate in South-East Asia. Directed by Ivan Dixon, it was based on the 1969 novel of the same title by Sam Greenlee, and is the subject of a recent documentary, Infiltrating Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of the Spook May 25, 2018 · After the war, when the CIA was founded in September 1947, she was among the first of the new spy agency’s high-ranking women. The US was changed forever by the April 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. For five years Dan Freeman had been the best spook of all as he conned the entire CIA while Jul 10, 2024 · One of the most radical, revolutionary statements in film history, The Spook Who Sat by the Door follows Dan Freeman, brilliantly portrayed by Lawrence Cook, the fictional first Black CIA agent Aug 9, 2016 · Dixon’s first feature film as director was the blaxploitation thriller, Trouble Man. He was a friend and ally of MI6 agent James Bond, and aided him on many of his missions over the years, notably helping him take down Le Chiffre, dismantle Quantum, and investigate the bioweapon Heracles. He Jul 13, 2016 · Jane Burrell was a CIA officer, and her death—only 110 days after CIA was officially established the previous September—makes her the first CIA officer to die while employed by the Agency. Here are a few famous black spies, many formally enslaved who played pivotal roles in US history from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War and beyond (Harriet Mar 2, 2023 · Zandra Flemister, the first Black woman to serve as a special agent in the U. The name "Felix" comes from the middle name of Fleming's friend Ivar Bryce, while the name "Leiter" was the surname of Dec 2, 2019 · The anniversary of the first African-American FBI agent provided an opportunity for current and former African-American special agents to reflect on how far the Bureau has come in the past century May 14, 2025 · The story follows Dan Freeman (Lawrence Cook), the first Black CIA agent whose journey begins with a cynical move: a senator, desperate for the Black vote, pressures the CIA to integrate. 2 days ago · Directed by Ivan Dixon and based on the best-selling novel by Sam Greenlee, THE SPOOK WHO SAT BY THE DOOR is certainly among the most radical major-release pictures of the 70s. Responsibility. Bolden, a U. This is the amount of time it can take to become a CIA agent. [1][2][3] It is both a satire of the civil rights struggle in the United States of the late 1960s and a serious attempt to focus on the issue of Black militancy. Louis, Illinois, on January 19, 1935. Day-to-Day Responsibilities as a CIA Officer The day-to-day responsibilities of a CIA officer vary greatly depending Dec 3, 2020 · With Lashana Lynch playing a 007 in No Time to Die, we look back at the history of Black women in the James Bond franchise. After 11 years in the post, Hoover Jul 9, 2020 · Greenlee's controversial book gave us the story of a man symbolically named Dan Freeman (played by Lawrence Cook in the film) who becomes the first Black CIA agent (his initial job is as head of 6 days ago · * The least surprising element of The Spook Who Sat By the Door was the mainstream reaction to it. [1] Four years later, she The International Spy Museum is proud to shed light on the diverse stories of African American spies featured in the Museum’s exhibits and in our collection. A disgraced black ops agent is dispatched to a remote CIA broadcast station to protect a code operator. Out of her subjects, Lucy Kirk joined the Agency first, in 1967. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name written by Sam Greenlee, director Ivan Dixon explored what he considered to be “a fantasy” as an African Aug 23, 2024 · Introduction by Kazembe Balagun One of the most radical, revolutionary statements in film history, Ivan Dixon’s explosive adaptation of the novel by Sam Greenlee follows the fictional first Black CIA agent (Cook), who uses his specialized training to build a guerrilla army intent on government overthrow. Spann was the first American killed in combat during the United States invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. Feb 28, 2018 · In honor of Black History Month, CIA. Feb 28, 2023 · One year before Zandra Flemister, the first Black woman to serve in the U. Nov 4, 2025 · CIA was ordered to series on April 22, 2025, with Tom Ellis cast as the CIA lead working alongside an FBI agent, played by Nick Gehlfuss. Zandra Iona Flemister (November 21, 1951 – February 21, 2023) was a Foreign Service Officer and United States Secret Service agent. S. Kennedy in 1961. Black men and women have made great contributions to American espionage. India’s nuclear program came into fruition in 1954 and the nuclear physicist, Homi Bhabha, was the mastermind of it. Secret Service agent stationed in the Chicago office, first met President Kennedy while on assignment in the city. Mar 20, 2025 · Bolden made history as the first Black U. Jan 16, 2024 · When the CIA told me it was creating an exhibit about me for its venerated museum at headquarters in Langley—its first exhibit ever about a Black American spy—I was stunned. Secret Service, joined the federal agency, blazing a trail for other women in a historically white institution, she was a Northeastern University student. learn about us It is the deeply complex story of Dan Freeman, the fictional mild-mannered first black CIA agent, who uses his specialized paramilitary training to organize a black revolution. He died at the Qala-i-Jangi fortress during an al-Qaeda prisoner uprising. Jul 20, 2018 · After leaving the agency, the agent, Dan Freeman (Lawrence Cook) moves to Chicago, and puts his training in guerrilla warfare to use: he organizes a group of black gang members and Vietnam War Apr 28, 2025 · He was first posted with his wife Nancy Segebarth, a fellow CIA agent, to Turkey in the late 1960s, where he was tasked with recruiting foreign agents. Leadership. [8] An off-the-grid and presumed-dead former CIA agent, John Reese, is hired by a mysterious tech billionaire software genius, Harold Finch, to prevent violent crimes before they happen in New York City via an advanced surveillance software. [2] Kiriakou is a columnist with Reader Supported News [3] and co-host of Political Misfits on Sputnik Radio. Oct 11, 2025 · Based on the best-selling novel of the same name written by Sam Greenlee, director Ivan Dixon explored what he considered to be “a fantasy” as an African-American male in the United States with the deeply complex story of Dan Freeman, the fictional mild-mannered first black CIA agent, who uses his specialized paramilitary training to The first CIA black site in the world was established in Thailand shortly after September 11, 2001, and has been described as the "test case" for the "enhanced interrogation techniques" that would become standard throughout the CIA program. Jun 15, 2025 · Hillsberg interviewed several former and current women CIA operatives, and “Agents of Change” highlights about a dozen of them. Howard & Associates, a diversity and training consultant for mostly Mar 28, 2019 · As the FBI celebrates 100 years of African-American special agents and observes Women’s History Month, we remember Sylvia Mathis, the first African-American woman to serve as an FBI agent. Oct 24, 2024 · The film is a fictional account of the first black CIA agent, who is reluctantly allowed into the organization, trained in guerilla warfare, and promptly stashed in the copy room. His skill, determination, and intrinsic resilience carried him through graduation, and he went on to serve multiple tours across Africa and South America. [1] Prior to his roles combatting terrorism, Black Black operations A black operation or "black ops" is a covert or clandestine operation by a government agency, a military unit or a paramilitary organization in which the operation itself is at least partially hidden from the organization or government's own scrutiny. This is a list of movies which have a synopsis somehow related with foreign espionage. We spoke to Ivan Dixon’s daughter, Doris Nomathandé Dixon, and the former Head of the Moving Image Section at the Library of Congress, Mike Mashon. Dec 5, 2024 · Watch on The fictional story of Dan Freeman, the first black CIA officer, and of the CIA’s history of training persons and political groups who later used their specialized training in gathering intelligence, political subversion, and guerrilla warfare against the CIA. Abraham W Bolden Sr, 86, was convicted in 1964 on Feb 27, 2024 · When he retired from the CIA, Hocker worked in the private sector, first as a regional manager for the Black-owned company, J. The director of central intelligence (DCI) The Spook Who Sat by the Door is a 1973 action crime – drama film based on the 1969 novel of the same name by Sam Greenlee. He also directed the controversial 1973 feature film The Spook Who Sat by the Door, based on Sam Greenlee's 1969 novel of the same name, about the first Black CIA agent who used his espionage knowledge to lead a black guerrilla operation in Chicago. Van Landingham, died shortly afterward at a local hospital. CIA data collection and analysis was important for arms control negotiations Oct 23, 2023 · An agent’s life is not exactly like a James Bond movie: direct confrontation is avoided, victories are celebrated quietly, and the job can at times be boring. Aug 16, 2024 · One of the most radical, revolutionary statements in film history, Ivan Dixon’s explosive adaptation of the novel by Sam Greenlee follows the fictional first Black CIA agent (Cook), who uses his specialized training to build a guerrilla army intent on government overthrow. [49] The drama by "Empire" co-creator Lee Daniels is preparing to start filming downtown this spring. The introduction to the first installment of the series read: 3 days ago · Central Intelligence Agency - Intelligence, Surveillance, Covert Ops: The publication of post-Cold War memoirs by former agents and the release of declassified documents by the United States and Russia have provided a fairly complete account of the CIA’s activities, including both its successes and its failures. One of the most radical, revolutionary statements in film history, Ivan Dixon’s explosive adaptation of the novel by Sam Greenlee follows the fictional first Black CIA agent (Cook), who uses his specialized training to build a guerrilla army intent on government overthrow. Fast forward to 2018. After accusations of hiring bias during an election season, the CIA looks for their first Black CIA agent, and Dan Freeman Best Spy Movies. Aug 23, 2024 · Introduction by Kazembe Balagun One of the most radical, revolutionary statements in film history, Ivan Dixon’s explosive adaptation of the novel by Sam Greenlee follows the fictional first Black CIA agent (Cook), who uses his specialized training to build a guerrilla army intent on government overthrow. In 1995 she was killed in Karachi, Pakistan by gunmen while enroute to the local consulate. On Aug. This Sisterhood of Spies are remarkable collection of women who have completed some of the most daring missions in history, using everything in their power to gain information, and risking it all for a cause they believed in. Johnny Micheal "Mike" Spann (March 1, 1969 – November 25, 2001) was an American paramilitary officer in the Central Intelligence Agency 's Special Activities Division. Action. According to a review in *The But one CIA document that has been released also talks about Chicago Secret Service agent Abraham Bolden. Jul 4, 2024 · Out of a class of 75, Hocker was the only Black person. Aspiring agents must keep in mind that this is an exciting and rewarding career, but it is also a lifestyle of commitment, dedication, and discipline. 21 at 71. All missions must be approved by the CIA Director. Preston, Janet League, Paula Kelly One of the most radical, revolutionary statements in film history, Ivan Dixon’s explosive adaptation of the novel by Sam Greenlee follows the fictional first Black CIA agent (Cook), who uses his specialized training to build a guerrilla army intent on government overthrow. Feb 27, 2023 · Former CIA employee John Collinge confirmed […] The post First Black female secret service agent, Zandra Flemister, dies at 71 appeared first on TheGrio. The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1969), by Sam Greenlee, is the fictional story of Dan Freeman, the first black CIA officer, and of the CIA's history of training persons and political groups who later used their specialised training in gathering intelligence, political subversion, and guerrilla warfare against the CIA. national security. Osborne resigned his post at CIA in 1984 to pursue ENERGY, INSPIRATION, FOCUS BIO: Leutrell “Mike” Osborne joined the CIA in 1957, and became one of the first African American Case Officers (C/O). Osborne resigned his post at CIA in 1984 to pursue The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973) is a rare portrait of Black counter-conspiracy, a living nightmare met with direct action. After becoming the first Black CIA Agent, Dan Freeman (Lawrence Cook) returns to his old Chicago neighborhood to train a Black liberation guerrilla army. Abraham Bolden was a young African American Secret Service agent in Chicago when he was asked by John F. Jacqueline Elaine Keys Van Landingham (ca 1962 – March 8, 1995) was an African-American intelligence officer employed by the Central Intelligence Agency. President Calvin Coolidge first appointed Hoover as director of the BOI, the predecessor to the FBI, in 1924. A fictional account of the first Black CIA agent, described by critic Karen Grigsly Bates as part thriller, part satire and part social commentary and basis for the 1970 film of the same name. July 2020) was an American CIA operative. A. He held prominent positions including deputy director of the Counterterrorism Center (CTC), Chief of Africa Division, and Chief of Training at Camp Peary, Virginia, better known as "The Farm". Sep 26, 2024 · THE SPOOK WHO SAT BY THE DOOR; a radical Black-themed movie about the first Black CIA agent who starts his own militant group in Mayor Daley's Chicago, played in movie theatres like any other movie at that time. [4] He was sent to prison for exposing the torturous interrogation techniques of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Felix Leiter is a fictional character created by Ian Fleming in the James Bond books, films, and other media. After losing a leg and a hand to a shark attack, Leiter joined the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Marrell ‘ Mac’ McCollough was an undercover Memphis cop-turned-CIA officer who witnessed Rev. Darrell M. Martin Luther King, Jr. For Bolden, it was a dream come true–and an encouraging sign of the charismatic president’s vision for a new America. Feb 22, 2017 · Under Omego’s leadership, CIA began its first significant effort to update Agency policies and practices to increase the presence of minorities and women in the analytic, operational, and technical ranks of the Agency. Flemister, who died on Feb. Bolden (born January 19, 1935) is a former United States Secret Service agent. Nov 3, 2023 · To understand Bhabha’s possible involvement with the CIA requires first understanding India’s nuclear program. 5, […] The first CIA black site in the world was established in Thailand shortly after September 11, 2001, and has been described as the "test case" for the "enhanced interrogation techniques" that would become standard throughout the CIA program. Oct 7, 2021 · Lashana Lynch, as the first Black 007 agent, pushes the franchise forward alongside co-stars Léa Seadoux and Ana de Armas in "No Time to Die. , the May 9, 2025 · A revolution immortalized on celluloid, the message from Ivan Dixon's incendiary 1973 adaptation of Sam Greenlee’s novel was so powerful that it was pulled from theaters a mere week after its release amid fears it might spur audiences to action. These officers’ Agency experiences span the spectrum from analyst to engineer to graphic artist to operations officer with careers Apr 28, 2022 · Secret Service agent Abraham Bolden is seen outside the court at the Federal Building in Chicago on July 7, 1964, where he was being tried for attempting to sell government investigative reports. These are words Johnny Micheal “Mike” Spann used to describe himself in his application to the CIA. Jan 27, 2009 · A gripping and unforgettable true story of bravery and patriotism in the face of bitter hatred. Kennedy himself to join the White House Secret Service detail. Feb 7, 2022 · IrishCentral Contributor CJ Clancy looks at the life and career of Douglas Mackiernan, a CIA employee who was killed in Tibet in 1950. The story of a fictional black CIA agent who turns around and uses his training in guerrilla warfare techniques, weaponry, communications and subversion to organize a black nationalist insurrection… 00:00 - Why was the spook who sat by the door banned?00:39 - Who is the first black CIA agent?01:06 - Where was the spook who sat by the door filmed?Laura S. Apr 26, 2022 · The first African American to serve on a presidential security detail is among three people to have been pardoned by US President Joe Biden. learn about us Joseph Cofer Black (born 1950) is an American former CIA officer who served as director of the Counterterrorism Center in the years surrounding the September 11th attacks, and was later appointed Ambassador-at-Large and Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the State Department by President George W. The army makes use of Black stereotypes of incompetence and drug use to organize right under the enemy’s noses Oct 30, 2025 · But a fantasy that everybody felt, every Black male, particularly. Secret Service agent assigned to a presidential detail has been pardoned by… The Man in Black, a CIA agent in the X-Men universe, was convinced of the existence of mutants before their widespread acknowledgment. Feb 15, 2011 · We believe, in fact, that he was one of the first—if not the first—of the early African-American agents who blazed a sometimes tough trail during a difficult era. Osborne is the only C/O to also serve as a Communications Security Officer (COMSEC Officer) for over six years. Bolden had played a key role in thwarting an assassination plot in Gina Cheri Walker Haspel (born October 1, 1956) is an American national security expert who was the seventh director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from May 21, 2018, to January 20, 2021. The most severely wounded passenger, Jacqueline K. She was the agency's deputy director from 2017 to 2018 under Mike Pompeo, and became acting director on April 26, 2018, after Pompeo became U. His belief stemmed from witnessing Mystique's shape-shifting abilities and Professor X's mind-reading skills, which revealed classified information. Feb 27, 2019 · Black men and women have made great contributions to American espionage. Much of what is known about the Chicago assassination attempt is due to the efforts of Bolden, who "was prevented from testifying for the Warren Commission that the Secret Service knew of a plot to assassinate Kennedy in Chicago by members Aug 25, 2024 · “The Spook Who Sat by the Door” (1973) is a faithful film adaptation of Sam Greenelee’s 1969 novel about the first Black 007 but instead of serving Queen and country, he is a double agent: an Uncle Tom in the day and a radical Black liberationist in the shadows. Feb 27, 2023 · Zandra Flemister, America’s first Black female Secret Service agent, died Feb. On August 18, 1996, the San Jose Mercury News published the first installment of a three-part series of articles concerning crack cocaine, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and the Nicaraguan Contra army. U. Directed by Ivan Dixon, it was based on the 1969 novel of the same title by Sam Greenlee, and is the subject of a recent documentary, Infiltrating Hollywood: The Rise and Fall of the Spook John Edgar Hoover (January 1, 1895 – May 2, 1972) was an American law enforcement administrator who served as the fifth and final director of the Bureau of Investigation (BOI) and the first director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Mr. Here are a few famous black spies and what they did for the cause of freedom. A fictional account of the first Black CIA agent, described by critic Karen Grigsly Bates as "part thriller, part satire and part social commentary" and basis for the 1970 film of the same name. Jul 25, 1997 · About this Item First American edition. John Chris Kiriakou (/ kiriˈɑːkuː / kee-ree-AH-koo; [1] born August 9, 1964) is an American whistleblower, author, journalist and former intelligence officer. Bolden was born to Daniel and Ophelia Bolden in East St. Author's first book, first published in England. May 30, 2025 · From real-life stories to fictionalized serials, CIA agents, and more, here's a list of amazing, action-packed TV shows about the CIA. Hardcover. Flemister received a bachelor's degree from Northeastern University and a master's degree from the National Defense University. THE SPOOK WHO SAT BY THE DOOR tells the fictional story of Dan Freeman, the first Black CIA agent who, disillusioned with his token desk job, puts Nov 27, 2023 · After their initial training, agents may be assigned to their first mission. Author Sam Greenlee, who was one of the first Black agents in the United States Foreign Service and wrote the novel on which the movie is based, saw his book rejected 40 times before it was eventually picked up by a British publisher in 1969. Aug 19, 2023 · The amount of time that it takes an agent to earn a CIA badge is one to three years depending on ones experience. ” Ordered by Disney’s FX network, the pilot will bring author Sam Greenlee’s fictional account of the first Black CIA agent to life. Its plot is based on the life of the first Black CIA agent in the 1960s as detailed in a novel of With Lawrence Cook, J. Nov 8, 2019 · Current and former African-American special agents joined the FBI Director in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Bureau’s first African-American special agent, who was appointed in 1919 . One of the most daring political films of the 1970s, THE SPOOK WHO SAT BY THE DOOR embodies as much social significance today as it did upon its initial release. The character is an operative for the CIA and James Bond 's friend. Fine in a very good price-clipped dust jacket with toning, tiny tears, and some staining. government. secretary of state. Presented with Reelblack. " Writer and director Lee Daniels is set to make a television adaptation of the popular 1969 novel “The Spook Who Sat By The Door. These characters were originally going to appear in an episode of the original FBI series, which began in 2018. She joined the Secret Service in 1974, becoming the first African American woman to serve as an agent. Jackie’s smile, sense of humor, and unyielding devotion inspired not only her family, friends and colleagues, but also May 21, 2025 · A 90-year-old former Secret Service agent is set to testify about the incompetence and conspiracy to kill JFK before Dallas We’re sitting down with George Hocker, the trailblazing—and within CIA, legendary—officer who joined the Agency in the 1950s, became one of its first Black operations officers, and the first to undergo the CIA’s paramilitary and survival training courses. Typically conducting his espionage work with a quiet but intense disposition, Felix was a skilled negotiator and possessed a great 3 days ago · Central Intelligence Agency - Intelligence, Surveillance, Covert Ops: The publication of post-Cold War memoirs by former agents and the release of declassified documents by the United States and Russia have provided a fairly complete account of the CIA’s activities, including both its successes and its failures. The Spook Who Sat by the Door tells the story of Dan Freeman, an intelligent and 'naturally athletic' man from the ghetto who becomes the first black CIA agent, then resigns and returns home to Chicago to work with what would now be called 'at risk' youth. Felix Leiter (d. First American edition. gov asked current African American officers of different ages and backgrounds, with varying years of service and a variety of positions, to discuss why they chose a career at CIA and the legacy they hope to leave behind. The name "Felix" comes from the middle name of Fleming's friend Ivar Bryce, while the name "Leiter" was the surname of May 14, 2025 · The story follows Dan Freeman (Lawrence Cook), the first Black CIA agent whose journey begins with a cynical move: a senator, desperate for the Black vote, pressures the CIA to integrate. Jun 9, 2016 · A must-see film, lost for more than 30 years, about a former CIA agent who organizes Black radicals into well-trained guerrilla bands that are determined to overthrow the American establishment. Apr 27, 2022 · Nearly 60 years after his conviction on what he claimed were racist and retaliatory federal charges, the first Black U. [for the Old Mole 3/26] The Spook Who Sat by the Door is a film released in 1973 about the first Black CIA agent, who, like so many of those trained by the Agency, turns his skills against the US government. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), formally created in 1947, is the principal foreign intelligence and counterintelligence agency of the U. 21, graduated with her bachelor’s degree in political science in 1973. She became one of the first black women to be killed in action while serving in the United States intelligence services. policymakers, including the President of the United States, make policy decisions informed by the information we provide. We collect and analyze foreign intelligence and conduct covert action. The story follows Dan Freeman (Lawrence Cook), the first Black CIA agent whose journey begins with a cynical move: a senator, desperate for the Black vote, pressures the CIA to integrate. Soon, they find themselves in a life-or-death struggle to stop a deadly plot before it's too late. Secret Service, died last week at age 71. Due to its historical and cultural significance, the film was added to the National Film Registry in 2012. He took these traits with him when he deployed in the fall of 2001 to Afghanistan as part of the government’s response to the terrorist attacks of September 11th. leaders the intelligence they need to keep our country safe As the world’s premier foreign intelligence agency, the work we do at CIA is vital to U. Secret Service agent assigned to the White House detail, where he guarded President John F. ’s assassination in 1968, but was Mac also an accomplice? His daughter set out to investigate the rumors and found a compelling story of Black America caught in the spying game. He passed the course and went on to blaze a trail as one of the Central Intelligence Agency’s first Black clandestine officers, the first Abraham Bolden, often erroneously referred to as the first Black Secret Service Agent, was, in fact, the first Black agent assigned to the prestigious White House Detail. According to a review Mar 11, 2018 · Black Panther's black empowerment story pits a white CIA agent against black villain Killmonger in a bizarre retelling of CIA's African history Oct 11, 2025 · Dialogue with Doris Nomathandé Dixon (daughter of director Ivan Dixon) One of the most daring political films of the 1970s, The Spook Who Sat by the Door embodies as much social significance today as it did upon its initial release. He was the first African American assigned to the presidential security detail, appointed in 1961 by John F. The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1969), by Sam Greenlee, is the fictional story of Dan Freeman, the first black CIA officer, and of the CIA’s history of training persons and political groups who later used their specialised training in gathering intelligence, political subversion, and guerrilla warfare against the CIA. Mike was conducting initial interviews of extremists held in Qali-Jangi fortress at Mazar-e Explore the shadowy world of espionage and uncover the secret history of female spies whose heroic achievements, courage and strength outshine James Bond. We give U. Sep 26, 2025 · A new 4K restoration of the long unavailable, galvanizing masterpiece! Ivan Dixon’s seminal adaptation of the Sam Greenlee novel follows the fictional first Black CIA agent whose disillusionment within the agency fuels his own activism and training of civilians in Chicago to become freedom fighters. She was later nominated and Feb 8, 2021 · FX has placed a pilot order for Lee Daniels’ The Spook Who Sat by the Door, based on the 1969 novel by Sam Greenlee about the fictional first Black CIA agent. Blocker is a former American intelligence officer who served for 28 years with the Central Intelligence Agency. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name written by Sam Greenlee, the film adaptation explores what director Jan 11, 2015 · Latest Videos From The Week Gina Bennett: In 1993, she wrote the first CIA report that warned about the dangers of a Saudi financier named Osama bin Laden and the network of terrorism he was funding. He passed the course and went on to blaze a trail as one of the Central Intelligence Agency’s first Black clandestine officers, the first to open a CIA station abroad and the first to lead a branch inside the Directorate of Operations. Apr 24, 2021 · First White House Black Secret Service agent still trying to clear his name For Abraham Bolden, now 86, time is running out on years-long efforts to obtain a presidential pardon. He also directed the controversial 1973 feature film, The Spook Who Sat by the Door, based on Sam Greenlee’s novel of the same name, about the first black CIA agent, who takes his espionage knowledge and uses it to lead a black guerrilla operation in Chicago. Jul 9, 2024 · In 1957, George Hocker became one of the first Black officers in the CIA after a friend encouraged him to apply to the organization while they were both undergraduates at Howard University. Feb 15, 2021 · Ordered by Disney’s FX network, the pilot will bring author Sam Greenlee’s fictional account of the first Black CIA agent to life. Oct 22, 2020 · The plot follows the fictional story of the first Black CIA agent Lawrence Cook, and the reference of the word "spook" serves as a reference to the fact that he is a spy, although the term is also Jan 26, 2014 · In 1969, an ex United States Information Agency and Foreign Service officer named Sam Greenlee published a novel called The Spook Who Sat By The Door. Abraham W. Its plot is based on the life of the first Black CIA agent in the 1960s as detailed in a novel of Felix Leiter is a fictional character created by Ian Fleming in the James Bond books, films, and other media. ” The story's hero is Dan Freeman, the fictional, mild-mannered first Black CIA agent, who uses his specialized paramilitary training to organize a Black revolution. This category includes articles on people who have been identified with the United States Central Intelligence Agency. Bush, serving until his resignation in 2004. James Wormley Jones (September 22, 1884 – December 11, 1958) was an African-American policeman and World War I veteran, who is best known for having been the first African-American Federal Bureau of Investigation special agent. Jun 2, 2025 · It is the deeply complex story of Dan Freeman, the fictional mild-mannered first black CIA agent, who uses his specialized paramilitary training to organize a black revolution. Secret Service agent assigned to a presidential detail has been pardoned by… A disgraced black ops agent is dispatched to a remote CIA broadcast station to protect a code operator. Nov 15, 2025 · The first Black CIA agent completes rigorous agency training, then uses that knowledge to plot a Black revolution.