The K-Rob Collection

During World War Two there were several efforts to stem the tide of rising racial violence, as African-Americans became more vocal about bias and discrimination at home while Black soldiers were fighting against fascism overseas. The federal government was concerned that white attacks against African-Americans would affect morale, and provide propaganda for Germany, Japan, and Italy. So they worked with the radio networks to create anti-stereotypical programs to boost the image of Blacks. One was an 8 part series called Freedom's People which aired on NBC in 1941. You'll hear the opening installment. Another show was An Open Letter on Race Hatred aired by CBS in 1943. It featured a personal appeal by Republican presidential candidate Wendell Willkie. Once the war was over, the networks basically returned to the usual stereotypical shows common during the latter years of the Jim Crow area.  More at http://krobcollection.com

He was Martin Luther King, Muhammed Ali, Harry Bellafonte, and Malcolm X rolled into one. Paul Robeson was an extraordinary American singer, actor, and civil rights activist. The son of a slave, Robeson was Born in Princeton, New Jersey, and excelled academically. He became a star athlete earning a scholarship to Rutgers University, and a law degree from Columbia University. Robeson became a global sensation, using his recordings, films, and live performances, to fight racism in America and around the world. However, the more popular Robeson became, the more the U.S. government tried to silence him, with harassment, surveillance, congressional investigations, and finally confiscating his passport so he couldn't travel. But in 1957, Robeson used new technology to appear at a rally and concert supporting union coal miners in the U.K., without leaving New York City. We'll learn how Paul Robeson did it, from the BBC World Service program "Witness History", followed by this amazing rally in its entirety.More at http://krobcollection.com

The stories of two very deserving, but seldom celebrated heroes. Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the influential African American historian, author, and journalist, who is the "Father of Black History." His parents had been slaves, but Woodson became one of the first Blacks to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University. Woodson was a follower of Marcus Garvey, and established Negro History Week in 1926, which later evolved into Black History Month. His work emphasized the importance of African American contributions to history and culture, and he founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.Then, we have the story of Dr. J. Ernest Wilkins Jr. the prominent African American mathematician, nuclear engineer, and civil rights advocate. He earned his first degree in mathematics from the University of Chicago at just 19 years old, and was nicknamed The Negro Genius. Wilkins worked on the Manhattan Project, which produced the atomic bomb. He taught at Tuskegee Institute, and later became President of the American Nuclear Society. Wilkins career spanned 7 decades, and tirelessly worked to get young African Americans into the STEM trades. The biographies of Woodson and Wilkins are told on the classic radio series, Destination Freedom. More at KRobCollection.com

Portia May White was a operatic contralto, known for becoming the first Black Canadian concert singer to achieve international fame. Born in 1911, White's formative years were spent performing in her father's church choir in Halifax, Nova Scotia. She competed in local singing competitions as a teenager and later trained at the Halifax Conservatory of Music. One of her most popular recordings was of the African-American spiritual "Think of Me". She also had a hit with the song "4 & 20 Elders". In 1944, Portia White made her international debut auditioning for the Metropolitan Opera. White became the first Canadian to sing at New York's Town Hall performance space. The New York Times reported her singing was "remarkable." White later completed tours throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Central and South America. When vocal difficulties and cancer eventually contributed to her retirement in 1952, White settled in Toronto and trained other Canadian musicians such as Lorne Greene of Bonanza TV fame, and famous pop singer Robert Goulet. Portia White was interviewed by CBC Television in 1958. One of White's final major public appearances was a special command performance for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1964. Portia White occasionally performed on American radio during the medium's golden age. We found one appearance on the show New World A'Comin in 1945, celebrating the Allied Victory in Europe during World War Two, and it's meaning to African-Americans. More at KRobCollection.com

We are examining women's fight for democracy in the United States. In 1939, NBC and the federal government teamed up to produce a series of programs called Gallant American Women. These shows outlined their struggle for equality beginning with the nation's founding. We're going to hear two episodes. The first entitled These Freedoms, about women's fight for freedom of speech, worship, and expression, as well as their fight to end slavery. The second episode is called Women Are People, and detailed their work to win the right to vote. More at KRobCollection.com

Sidney Poitier was a trailblazing actor, film director, and diplomat who achieved numerous significant accomplishments throughout his career. As the first African-American to win the Academy Award for Best Actor, he made history with his powerful performances in films such as "Lilies of the Field" and the 1967 classic, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." Poitier's impact extended beyond the silver screen, as he used his influence to challenge racial stereotypes and advocate for civil rights. In 2009, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contributions to American culture, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations of actors and activists. We're going to hear Sidney Poitier being interviewed by Bill Parkhurst on the radio show Between the Lines in 1981. More at KRobCollection.com

In this edition, we learn about the woman who was named one of the most important people of the 20th Century. Helen Keller was an American author, disability rights advocate, feminist, political activist and humanitarian. The Alabama native, lost her sight and her hearing due to illness when she was just 19 months old. However, Keller later learned to speak and write with the help of her first teacher and life-long companion Anne Sullivan. Keller was the first deaf-blind person in the United States to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. She became a global superstar, and a long time supporter of the NAACP and the ACLU. We will hear Helen Keller in her own words on the CBS Radio Show, This I Believe with Edward R. Murrow in the early 1950s. And on the Rudy Vallee variety show on NBC Radio in 1936. More at KRobCollection.com

This podcast focuses on the contributions made during the times of Jim Crow segregation, to promote racial harmony during World War Two, in two episodes of the show New World A-Comin', both aired during the war on New York Radio Station WMCA. First, we'll hear a 1944 play about one of the 125,000 African Americans who fought in World War Two, all in segregated units. Then we'll hear a 1945 presentation about a white union worker in Detroit who kept his weapons plant from shutting down by fighting racial bias and discrimination. More at KRobCollection.com

On this podcast we take examine of two historic and legendary African-American educators. First, there's the story of philanthropist, humanitarian, and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune who was an advisor to President Franklin Roosevelt. She was the founder of what would become Bethune-Cookman University in Florida. Bethune will also speak to us in her own words. Then, the story of Booker T. Washington, the founder of Tuskegee University in Alabama. Washington was born a slave, but became an advisor to several U.S. presidents. Both biographies are from the radio series Destination Freedom and first aired in the late 1940s. More at KrobCollection.com

It seems the United States always been a divided nation in many respects. Since its founding, proponents of the right and left have battled for influence and control. It was no different during the Great Depression of the 1930s, as the struggle played out on the new medium of radio. Father Charles Coughlin was a Catholic priest who's radio shows reached millions. He promoted right wing conspiracies, Christian Nationalism, and antisemitism on the air. Louisiana senator and former governor Huey Long was a progressive populist who on the radio called for wealth re-distribution, government involvement and expanded social programs. In Coughlin you hear Rush Limbaugh, in Long you hear Bernie Sanders. We have two presentations, Coughlin in 1939, and Long in 1935. Both were early supporters of President Franklin Roosevelt, but went their separate ways after he was elected. More at KRobCollection.com

From it's early days in the 1920's news was an important part of radio. The first newscasts were little more than announcers reading press releases and police reports. In the 1930s and 40s, network newscasts evolved into audio versions of newspaper columns. During the World War Two and into the 1950s there was the arrival of the radio news anchor, who presented reporters on the scene, with commentary confined to the people actually making the news. You're hear this transition develop over decades of radio news coverage. Elmer Davis on CBS Radio in 1939 HV Kaltenborn on NBC Radio in 1940 Walter Winchell in 1941, American Radio's most popular newsman at the time, and was heard on the Blue Network, which later became ABC. Fulton Lewis Jr on the Mutual Radio Network in 1942. Raymond Gram Swing on ABC Radio in 1945 Mutual Newsreel Digest in 1950 Taylor Grant suffers the news anchor's nightmare on ABC in 1953. The legendary Edward R. Murrow on CBS Radio in 1957. Frank Bourgholtzer on NBC Radio in 1961. Charles Osgood before he became famous in 1966 on ABC Radio Bill Maher Jr, father of the famous comedian on Mutual Radio in 1969. Mike Stanley on CBS in 1969. James Limbach on Associated Press Radio in 1977. Al Williams on the Mutual Black Radio Network in 1978. David Leslie on ABC in 1978. Pat Prescott on the National Black Network in 1981. Becky Bailey on Mutual in 1988. Jim Lounsbury on the United Press International radio network in 1989. Sheri Preston on ABC radio in 2004. More at KRobCollection.com

William Warfield was a famous opera singer, born in the U.S state of Arkansas in 1920. Known for his rich baritone voice and commanding stage presence, the African-American rose to prominence in the mid-20th century, captivating audiences worldwide, and gracing the stages of prestigious opera houses and concert halls. Warfield served in the Army during World War Two, working in military intelligence. After the war, he earned a masters degree at the Eastman School of Music, and was quickly invited to tour Australia where he gave 35 concerts. Warfield then made 6 separate tours of Europe taking the continent by storm. He became a regular guest on radio and television shows. Warfield later became a University of Illinois music professor at Urbana-Champaign, and was later promoted to Chairman of the Voice Department. In 1984 he received a Grammy Award. You will hear William Warfield just as his operatic career was starting to skyrocket, on NBC Radio's popular Edgar Bergen-Charlie McCarthy Show in 1952. One of only a handful of African-Americans to appear on the show during its more than 20 year history. More at KRobCollection.com

Arthur Lee Simpkins was an African-American singer with a unique talent. He was born in South Carolina in 1907, where he became known as the "Black Caruso" in reference to the legendary opera singer Enrico Caruso. In 1936, Simpkins recorded a hit version of "Sing, Sing, Sing" with Fletcher Henderson and His Orchestra. That record jump started Simpkins career, allowing him to perform a wide variety of music ranging from classic standards to operatic renditions, and not just different genres, but in many different languages and dialects. Simpkins performed on television regularly during the medium's early days, and also appeared in movies, like the film Why Men Leave Home in 1951. He was last remembered for singing at the memorial for legendary R&B legend Sam Cooke in 1964. Tragically, Simpkins died from a routine bladder operation in 1972 and was largely forgotten. You will hear Arthur Lee Simpkins sing three songs on the David Rose Show on CBS Radio in 1950. More at KrobCollection.com

Richard Wright was an African American author who lived from 1908 to 1960. He is best known for his novels, which often dealt with the struggles of black Americans in the early 20th century. Wright grew up in poverty in Mississippi and faced racism and discrimination throughout his life. Despite these challenges, he became a prolific writer. His works include Native Son and Black Boy, are considered classics of American literature. Wright was also a political activist and his writing often reflected his beliefs in the need for social justice. Today, he is remembered as one of the most important writers of the 20th century and a voice for the African American experience. Listen in, as Richard Wright's biography comes alive in a 1949 edition of the radio show Destination Freedom. More at KrobCollection.com

This podcast examines the education and care of black children in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Segregation was the law in most public U.S. schools during this period. White and black students usually went to separate, but supposedly equal quality classrooms, but most often white students had access to better resources and qualified teachers. In contrast, African-American students were frequently taught by under-qualified and underpaid teachers, and their schools were poorly maintained and lacked basic amenities, their textbooks were often outdated and in poor condition. Also, many black children had to deal with hunger, homelessness, and difficult family conditions. You will hear their stories in three radio dramas from 1944. I Teach Negro Girls, on New World A-Comin', Your School-Your Children on Words At War, and the Colored Orphan Asylum on New World A-Comin'. More at KRobCollection.com

On this edition we take a look at African-American professional boxer Jersey Joe Walcott, who is regarded among the best heavyweights in the world during the 1940s and 1950s, winning the title at the age of 37. Walcott was born in 1914, and was only 15 years old when his father died. He quit school and worked in a soup factory to support his mother and 11 younger brothers and sisters, and then began training as a boxer. His first bout was in 1930. His last fight was in 1953, when he was knocked out by Rocky Marciano in the first round. After retiring from boxing, Walcott did some acting, playing small parts in a few movies and television shows. In 1956, Walcott performed the role of George the Trainer, in the Humphrey Bogart boxing drama The Harder They Fall. Walcott also refereed several boxing matches, including the second fight between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston. From 1971 to 1974, Walcott was the elected Sheriff of Camden County, New Jersey, the first African-American to hold the position. From 1975 to 1984, Walcott was the chairman of the New Jersey State Athletic Commission. You're going to hear Jersey Joe Walcott take on boxing legend Joe Louis in a 1948 rematch on ABC radio. It's one of the earliest bouts broadcast on closed circuit television. More at KRobCollection.com

Timmie Rogers was an African-American comedian, singer-songwriter, bandleader and actor. Rogers was one of the first Black comedians allowed to directly address a white audience. Before Rogers, African-American comics had to either work in pairs or groups, only conversing with each other, and they had to play a character. Because of this, Rogers was known as the Jackie Robinson of comedy. Rogers was born in Detroit in 1915. At the age of eight, he was earning money by dancing on the street. At the age of 12, Rogers ran away from home and found a job as a dishwasher on a boat, where he learned to speak 9 languages including French and German. By 1932, Rogers was a professional dancer, and in the 1940s he began performing on radio. In 1949, Rogers starred in America's first black prime-time television show Uptown Jubilee on CBS. He was also a recurring guest star on The Jackie Gleason Show on CBS-TV for over 12 years, and would continue to work with Jackie for the next thirty years. In the late 1950s Rogers recorded for Cameo and Parkway Records. His hits included "Back to School Again" and "You'd Better Go Now". When performing, Rogers often played a 10-stringed guitar-like instrument called a Martin tiple, which he used on a 1975 episode of the Redd Foxx sitcom Sanford and Son. Rogers was inducted into the National Comedy Hall of Fame in 1993. You will hear Timmie Rogers perform on 3 editions of the Armed Forces Radio show Jubilee, the first two in 1945, and the third in 1947. More at KRobCollection.com

Radio's classic era was definitely tainted by Jim Crow laws, racial discrimination and bias. That's why this podcast is dedicated to unearthing the rare instances when African-Americans were allowed to share their talents with the world. Black performers were seldom hosts, or guest stars on the commercial networks. African-American shows were very scarce, but there were a few. One was the Harlem Hospitality Club, and was aired by the Mutual Broadcasting System, and the Armed Forces Radio Service. The half-hour program highlighted rhythm and blues music before a live audience. It featured host Willie Bryant and guests such as Amanda Randolph, an African-American actress, singer and musician. Randolph would later become the first black performer on a regularly scheduled network television show, The Laytons on the DuMont TV Network. You're going to hear two episodes of the Harlem Hospitality Club, both from 1947. And as a special bonus, you'll hear Tales From Harlem, a 1938 show produced by New York radio Station WMCA. More at KRobCollection.com

Hattie McDaniel was an American actress, singer, and comedian. She was born in 1893 in Wichita, Kansas...and was the youngest of 13 children. Her father Henry had fought in the Civil War. Her mother was a gospel singer, both had been slaves. After graduating from high school McDaniel started working as a songwriter and performer. In the 1920s she began performing on the radio, and embarked on a recording career. In 1927 McDaniel had a hit with One Sorrowing Heart. In 1932 McDaniel made her first movie appearance as a maid, and unfortunately was labeled with that stereotype the rest of her life. Facing discrimination and limited opportunities. However, McDaniel remained a trailblazer and an inspiration to many. In 1939, Hattie McDaniel became the first African-American to win an Academy Award, for Best Supporting Actress in the classic film Gone With the Wind. She appeared in 300 films during her career, including Johnny Come Lately, with James Cagney in 1943. McDaniel stopped acting in movies after 1949, but switched to television, and continued to perform on radio, becoming the first black actor to star in her own radio program, the comedy series Beulah in 1947 on CBS Radio. When the sitcom transitioned to ABC-TV in 1950, Ethel Waters had the starring role, but quit after the first year. McDaniel replaced Waters but became to ill to perform after filming just 6 episodes. You're going to hear Hattie McDaniel on the Eddie Cantor radio show with Humphrey Bogart in 1941. The on the all-black Blueberry Hill Program, a pilot recorded by CBS Radio in 1943. And performing as Beulah on the Bing Crosby radio program in 1949. More at KRobCollection.com

Jackie Gleason was an American comedian, actor, and musician, who was Born in Brooklyn New York in 1916 under difficult circumstances. His only sibling died at age 14, his father abandoned the family, and Gleason dropped out of school to earn money. Then his mother died leaving him broke and homeless. Gleason spent the next decade trying to break into show business as a night club comedian. He eventually began appearing on Broadway and network radio shows. In 1949, Gleason became the star of the Life of Riley, and early TV sitcom. It only lasted a year before Gleason got his big break. In 1950 he was named host of the Cavalcade of Stars on the DuMont TV Network. The show became hit, with Gleason then lured to CBS where he created the character of Ralph Kramden on the classic sitcom "The Honeymooners." Gleason would remain a major TV and movie star for the rest of his life. He also had a music career with several record setting albums. Gleason never forgot the hard times of his youth, and was praised for helping struggling African-American entertainers make it into the business, including legendary comedian Timmie Rogers. The two became life long friends. You will hear Jackie Gleason's early radio appearances on the Double Feature radio show in 1944, and Hollywood Open House in 1948, but also showcasing his music career on Here's to Veterans in 1955. More at KRobCollection.com