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Emmett Jay Scott (Feb 13 1873 - Dec. 12 1975) was an educator and publicist, famously known as being Booker T. Washington's closet advisor and Special Advisor of Black Affairs to Secretary of War Newton D. Baker, making him the highest ranking African American in President Woodrow Wilson's administration.

Scott was born in Houston, Texas, son to former slaves Horace Lacy Scott and Emma Kyle. He began his studies at Wiley College in 1887, but left 3 years later to pursue a career in journalism. He found work at the then all-white daily newspaper The Houston Post. Scott's career did not start as a journalist, but rather as a janitor, where he worked his way up in ranks to become a messenger and eventually a reporter. Scott's experience and skill led him join with Charles N. Love and Jack Tibbitto to form Houston's first African-American newsperaper the Texas Freeman. Scott again rose in ranks and became editor soon after joining the staff. His leadership expanded the Texas Freeman's presence in the Houston region, making it a prominent publication throughout Texas.