The Washington Afro American (December 27 - January 2, 2004), reported that in its August 17, 1948-edition, it reported that then South Carolina Governor James Strom Thurmond had several Black relatives including an uncle and two cousins. In subsequent editions, Afro reporter Douglass Hall reported on his travels to South Carolina to uncover Thurmond's African connections.

According to the Afro, a Rev. Thurmond told the reporter, "Why, I remember well when Gov. Thurmond's father used to visit my grandfather. I remember asking my grandfather, why did that White man always visit our home? My grandfather [Thomas Thurmond] told me that they were brothers."