“The hunt for ancestral talent or character that might explain the birth of a genius is usually futile. In the case of Benjamin Banneker, however, it has intriguing aspects that refuse to be ignored,” writes Charles A. Cerami in “Benjamin Banneker: Surveyor, Astronomer, Publisher, Patriot.” Banneker’s maternal grandmother, Molly Welsh, was originally identified as a…
THURS., JAN. 3 – TBJ #2323 – What “Hat” Are You Wearing? – Part 1: Educator Dr. Joe Cornelius developed a creative way to explain Black history and to motivate young people through drama. He created a historical masterpiece when he chronicled the saga of Black America as it changes “hats” with the times.
During the 1978 season of Tony Brown’s Journal, host Tony Brown told you about “His-Story.” Tony Brown’s Journal program, “His-Story: Black History’s Little-Known Facts,” is a continuing discussion of little-known facts about the history made by Blacks, with Dr. Lerone Bennett, Jr., famed historian, scholar and author of “Before the Mayflower” and “What Manner of…
Africans, the first builders of civilization in the cradle of world civilization and the discoverers of mathematics, writing, sciences, engineering, medicine, religion, fine arts and the builders of the great pyramids, were easily toppled. Dr. Chancellor Williams, a widely-acclaimed historian, continues his discussion with Tony Brown as to why this occurred. CHANCELLOR WILLIAMS, historian…
Musician extraordinaire Lionel Hampton died on August 31, 2002 at the age of 94. His legacy as a musician, statesman, humanitarian and close friend of the Bush family are chronicled on this program. Tony Brown also remembers this music legend’s love for the little guy. HISTORICALLY, TONY BROWN IS also … Coordinator of the “Walk To…
“A REAL TOUGH GUY” GEN. FRANK E. PETERSEN: Tony Brown sits down and talks one-on-one with the US Marines’ 1st Black general – General Frank E. Petersen. In a 2016 ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, DDG 121, will be named…
Red Tails and Black Aces: As a result of the “Tuskegee Experiment” being a proven success and used as a basis to demonstrate that Blacks could perform with excellence and in air combat and leadership roles, President Harry Truman, in 1948, signed the executive order to integrate the entire military. The mere decision to go…
The Tuskegee Airmen — Part 3 – Jim Crow’s Graveyard. Shooting down German airplanes, rather than effectively carrying out the assigned duties of close ground support and bomber escort, emerged as the criterion for the judgment of combat performance for the 99th. Ironically, at the height of the controversy stateside, the 99th received a reassignment…
Criticism of the 99th’s overseas combat record was instantaneous and virulent. After only a few months in combat, the Commander of the 12th Air Support Command assailed the performance of the Black pilots. “Officers of all professions,” he said, felt that “the Negro type has not the proper reflexes to make a first-class fighter pilot.”…
The Tuskegee Airmen — “America’s Black Air Force” in WWII The pilots of America’s WWII armed forces were highly skilled flyers who became the stars of war stories and the ingredients of legends. These Black pilots were and are the first line of defense, the protectors of our fleets and the rulers of the skies…
