Joseph C. Ford, enslaved as a youth in Virginia, came to Grand Rapids about 1872 and soon became a porter on the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad. He also spent over 50 years as the attendant of the Michigan Senate cloak room, earning him the nickname "Senator" Joe Ford. Joe met Emma S. Warren, and they were married in 1881. Emma Ford became a trailblazing African-American woman who defied the odds and emerged as a prominent leader, restauranteur, socialite, public servant, lecturer, wife and mother. Emma and Joe left lasting marks on both the local and national stages, their achievements would be remarkable today; but considering the times in which they lived, their accomplishments were extraordinary.

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