FAMOUS FIRSTS
Roger Ferguson
- I was born in Washington, DC, in 1951. I received a bachelor's degree in economics in 1973, a law degree in 1979, and a doctorate in economics—all from Harvard University.
- I was the first African American to join the Federal Reserve System's Board of Governors.
- I was the only member of the Fed's Board of Governors in Washington, DC, when the terrorist attacks occurred on September 11, 2001. I immediately communicated to investors and bankers that the Fed was "open and operating" to keep the economy functioning in the wake of the attacks.
- I proposed the creation of the International Journal of Central Banking to highlight the best research on central banking theory and enhance communication among central banks.