From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)

Harold Poole was born in Louisville, KY. He attended Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was the starting quarterback on the football team and a star athlete on the track and wrestling teams.

Poole was 19 years old when he won the Mr. Universe competition. The next year he was the first African American to win the Mr. America competition. He was the youngest contender in the inaugural Mr. Olympia competition in 1965, and is the only person to have competed in the first three Mr. Olympia competitions. He won many bodybuilding competitions and awards, and he is recognized internationally for his successful career. He worked for a time as a bodyguard for 1960s "It Girl" Twiggy.

Poole retired from competition in 1992. He  was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2004, and the WBBG Hall of Fame in 2007. He died in Manhattan, NY in 2017.

For more see J. Roark, "Featuring 2004 Hall of Fame Inductee: Harold Poole," Flex, November 2004; his entry on the FindaGrave website; and "Harold Poole" in Mr. America, by J. D. Fair.