Before Martin Luther King Jr, there was Paul Robeson, who became an international activist for human rights and racial justice just as radio was beginning to become popular. Robeson used his fame as a star football player, and a popular singer and actor to fight for equality, not only in the United States but around the world. You will hear Paul Robeson perform on the Magic Key radio show on NBC in 1936. After that you will hear his business manager. Paul's wife, Dr. Eslanda Robeson was an anthropologist, author, actress, and civil rights activist, who urged African-Americans to be proud of their history. In 1949 she published her third book, American Argument, which was edited by fellow anthropologist Pearl Buck. In it she spoke freely about society, politics, gender roles, and race relations. You'll hear Eslanda defend her book on the radio show, Author Meets the Critics on NBC in 1949.

More at http://krobcollection.com

The Beulah Show, a situation comedy about a happy house maid, who was always hoping her boyfriend would propose. It was one of the few top starring roles for an African-American during network radio's golden age. Academy award winner Hattie McDaniel got the job in 1947, at what was then a whopping salary of $1,000 a week. In 1952 she became ill and Lillian Randolph took the position. She was later replaced in 1954 by her sister, Amanda Randolph. We have 4 shows from 1954.

More at http://krobcollection.com

The Negro - Fascism and Democracy, from the radio show "New World A Coming". A World War Two examination of which political system African-Americans should side with. The program aired in 1944.

Details at http://krobcollection.com