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Apr 20, 2023 Broadcast Legend Shelley Stewart Launches Podcast, Becoming The Oldest Podcaster In The U.S. At 88 years young, media executive and broadcast legend Dr. Shelley Stewart announces the launch of the podcast, "Shelley's Plumbline ." The show blends fresh commentary from Dr. Stewart with clips from his archive of more than 3,000 shows spanning his 53-year career in radio broadcasting. Stewart hopes the podcast will open channels of communication and understanding while searching for truth on tough social topics. Stewart’s storied career includes spending more than fifty years behind the microphone and over 70 years as a champion of human rights. His career includes time as a radio personality, where he helped the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders disseminate key planning information about demonstrations. As a TV talk show host, he openly discusses tough topics with the Grand Wizard of the Klu Klux Klan. He eventually became the owner of the radio station WATV and the advertising agency o2ideas. Stewart also authored two books, The Road South: A Memoir and Mattie C.'s Boy: The Shelley Stewart Story , which retells his life story in vivid detail, following his beginning as a homeless child at seven years of age to his rise to business success. Shelley hopes the podcast will have a tangible impact on communities, the nation, and the world, as it plumbs for the truths in the midst of society’s most challenging problems. "You see, there is this side, that side, and the truth lies somewhere in the middle," said Stewart. After listening to several shows from the archive, Stewart and his production team couldn’t help but notice the irony that 30 to 40 years after their original broadcast date, society still faces similar challenges today. While controversial issues, such as human rights, gender equality, AIDS, youth, and homelessness, remain top world problems, Shelley's Plumbline will acknowledge the similarities and differences between the past and present and lead the audience to thoughtful introspection while providing resources for those interested in pursuing more knowledge and solutions to these challenging issues. But that's not all. "We have interviews with legends, such as Eddie Kendricks, Fred Shuttlesworth, Hosea Williams, and Steve Harvey,” said Dr. Stewart. “Some episodes will share oldies, but goldies hits, and some will even explore comedy," he said. “We want to connect with people and keep our listeners engaged whether we are discussing tough topics or the golden age of Motown." Shelley's Plumbline premieres April 20 on Spotify, Amazon Music and iHeart Radio and will release episodes weekly on Wednesdays. Read More Mar 4, 2023 Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement Born in the early 1930s in a suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Shelley Stewart became a major voice in the fight for civil rights. When Stewart was a teenager, his gift for speaking earned him a spot as a radio talk show host, incredibly, for that time in history, at a white-owned station. Yet his popularity continued to grow, landing him gigs as a disc jockey and an emcee for other stations and at popular event venues in the Birmingham area and further afield. Stewart eventually became co-owner of station WATV-AM, and in the 1960s during the height of the civil rights movement, he used his platform and influence to support numerous activists and equal rights causes. Read More Feb 1, 2023 At Age 88, Birmingham Radio Legend Shelley Stewart: ‘I Ain’t Tired Yet It’s an unseasonably warm January morning, and Dr. Shelley Stewart is sitting in his home office in Shelby County, Alabama. At first glance, the space looks like an ordinary room with books on shelves, papers on a desk, and a file cabinet against a wall. But this room holds a wealth of mementos that demonstrate why Stewart is an icon in Birmingham and beyond. Shelley “The Playboy” Stewart was the radio voice for the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, became co-owner of the city’s WATV-AM, and co-founded o2ideas, an award-winning full-service advertising agency based in the Magic City. To many, Stewart is a Civil Rights Foot Soldier and radio great. But Stewart, who spent his childhood living in basements and barns, doesn’t see himself that way. “I’m that same little homeless street kid even to this day—no more, no less,” said Stewart, 88. Read More Oct 28, 2022 City of Birmingham hosts annual AWAKEN celebration honoring Dr. Shelley Stewart The city of Birmingham will honor civil rights leader, veteran radio broadcaster and advertising executive Dr. Shelley Stewart during its annual “AWAKEN Birmingham” event this Friday. Held during the week of the Magic City Classic, AWAKEN celebrates the legacy of community leaders and activists who have shaped the city of Birmingham. Read More Jul 18, 2022 Winnowed by the Hardships of His Youth, This Top Ad Executive is Now an Advocate for Keeping Kids in Schoollogy can help curb attention disorders Shelley Stewart was 6 years old when he watched his alcoholic father, Huell Jerome Sr., kill his mother, Mattie C., at their Rosedale home in Alabama. This was back in 1939, and there was never an investigation. Shelley ran away shortly after and became homeless. A family took him in to live in their basement, and he remained in school at Rosedale Elementary. Mamie Foster, his first-grade teacher, told him what would turn his life around: “If you learn how to read, you can be anything you want to be.” Shelley did well in school and became a successful radio DJ, hanging out with BB King, Nat King Cole, and Odis Redding. During the ’60s, the outspoken radio star became a target for the KKK. They spray-painted his studio with death threats, but Shelley continued the fight. In 1967, his friend Cy Steiner asked him to partner with him. They started O2ideas, which became one of the leading advertising agencies in the country. Read More Plumbline News Room

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< Back City of Birmingham hosts annual AWAKEN celebration honoring Dr. Shelley Stewart Mattie Davis For WVTM13 Oct 28, 2022 The city of Birmingham will honor civil rights leader, veteran radio broadcaster and advertising executive Dr. Shelley Stewart during its annual “AWAKEN Birmingham” event this Friday. Held during the week of the Magic City Classic, AWAKEN celebrates the legacy of community leaders and activists who have shaped the city of Birmingham. Read More Previous Article Next Article

< Back At Age 88, Birmingham Radio Legend Shelley Stewart: ‘I Ain’t Tired Yet Jamaica Harris Bowser For The Birmingham Times Feb 1, 2023 It’s an unseasonably warm January morning, and Dr. Shelley Stewart is sitting in his home office in Shelby County, Alabama. At first glance, the space looks like an ordinary room with books on shelves, papers on a desk, and a file cabinet against a wall. But this room holds a wealth of mementos that demonstrate why Stewart is an icon in Birmingham and beyond. Shelley “The Playboy” Stewart was the radio voice for the Birmingham Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, became co-owner of the city’s WATV-AM, and co-founded o2ideas, an award-winning full-service advertising agency based in the Magic City. To many, Stewart is a Civil Rights Foot Soldier and radio great. But Stewart, who spent his childhood living in basements and barns, doesn’t see himself that way. “I’m that same little homeless street kid even to this day—no more, no less,” said Stewart, 88. Read More Previous Article Next Article

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Shelley's Story Mattie C.'s Boy Shelley Stewart was five years old when he and his brothers watched in horror as their father murdered their mother with an ax. Homeless at the age of six, Stewart found what shelter he could, suffering physical and sexual abuse and racism. Despite heartbreaking setbacks and the racial strife that gripped the South in the 1950s and 1960s, Stewart graduated high school and entered the broadcasting profession. There he became a hugely popular radio personality, rubbing shoulders with the top recording artists of the day and becoming one of the nation’s first black radio station owners. He helped Dr. Martin Luther King mount the historic Children’s March through the streets of Birmingham, Alabama. Later Stewart would use his powerful communication skills to help convict one of the men who bombed the city’s Sixteenth Street Baptist Church. Then this often-honored man turned his business skills to the creation of a foundation named after his mother; the Mattie C. Stewart Foundation works to convince high school students to stay in school and graduate, a topic Stewart speaks on in his many engagements around the country. Stewart, with author Don Keith, tells his story in his memoir Mattie C.'s Boy. Purchase The Road South As a five-year-old in Home-wood, Alabama, Shelley Stewart watched his father kill his mother with an axe. Two years later, Stewart escaped the care of abusive relatives, making a living as a stable hand. A stint in the army led to electroshock treatments for trying to integrate whites-only dances. But despite numerous setbacks, he never gave up his will to succeed. Eventually, odd jobs at radio stations laid the foundation for a 50-year career in broadcasting. As an African-American radio personality, Stewart reached out to Jim Crow Alabama, using music to integrate his audience. Along the way, he helped launch the careers of such legends as Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, and Gladys Knight. Instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement, he publicized the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A remarkable witness to and participant in the momentous social changes of the last three decades, Stewart, now a successful businessman and community leader, shares his courageous personal story that shows the indomitable strength of the human spirit. Purchase Also, Available On Audible

As a member of the King's Inner Circle, Rev. Hosea Williams served as the advance man, organizing some of the most important events in the movement. Williams traveled to cities throughout the South, recruiting and organizing volunteers, paving the way for appearances by Dr. King, Jesse Jackson, and Andrew Young. Williams and John Lewis led the "Bloody Sunday" march in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. Episode #2: Did Dr. Martin Luther King's Dream Become a Nightmare? Dr. King's legacy inspired generations of activists and leaders, and his contributions continue to be recognized and celebrated today as a beacon of hope and progress. But Dr. King had a premonition about his death, and he warned the members of his Inner Circle to beware of the tactics external forces would use to break the movement apart after he was gone. As a member of the King's Inner Circle, Rev . Hosea Williams served as the advance man, organizing some of the most important events in the movement. Williams traveled to cities throughout the South, recruiting and organizing volunteers, paving the way for appearances by Dr. King, Jesse Jackson , and Andrew Young . Williams and John Lewis led the "Bloody Sunday" march in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. This episode features an interview from September of 1994 with Dr. Shelley Stewart and Rev . Hosea Williams . Hosea reveals the dire warning Dr. King had for the members of his Inner Circle. Was Hosea Williams right? Did the Dream of Dr. Martin Luther King Become a Nightmare? View Episode 2 Details & Resources We want to hear from you. Submit your vote. Additionally, use the contact form at the bottom of the page to share additional thoughts, comments, and questions. Click An Icon Below To Listen To Podcast More About Hosea Williams & Dr. King's Inner Circle The Irish Times Member of King's Inner Circle Who Was Used to Stir Up Blackunrest Hosea Williams, one of the most active and controversial members of Dr. Martin Luther King's inner circle, died on November 16th aged 74. In 1968, he witnessed the assination of Dr. King, who had once described him as "my wild man, my Castro". King relied heavily on Hosea's fiery rhetoric to stir up black opposition to southern segregation. Once he had created a furore, King could arrive much more effectively with his message of peace and reconciliation... Read More USA Today List of People at the Lorraine Motel With Martin Luther King Jr. Also depicted in the photo of King on the balcony the day before his death is Hosea Williams. Williams was arrested 125 times for his militant acts of defiance while working in service to the civil rights movement. Perhaps his passion for civil rights was a direct consequence of his having been beaten so severely he was hospitalized for five weeks because he had a drink at a "whites-only" bar. Not as well known as King or Jackson, Williams nevertheless was a major figure in the civil rights movement with several triumphs to his credit. Because of his efforts, Savannah, Georgia, was the first city to ban "whites-only" lunch counters. He also led a march against the Klu Klux Klan in 1987 and won a $950,000 jury award after suing Forsyth County. He later became a senator and died of cancer in 2000. Read More #Ronald Martin Unfiltered Dr. Dorothy Cotton, the only woman in MLK's inner circle, in her last sitdown TV interview. #RolandMartinUnfiltered streamed an exclusive interview with key members of the civil rights movement, including Dr. Dorothy, Rev. Jesse Jackson, and so many others. Watch Now Dive Deeper CNN OPINION Martin Luther King’s dream is alive The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. would hardly recognize America in 2013, the 50th anniversary year of his world-famous “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The efforts of King and countless others have not only made it possible for Barack Obama to become the first black president of the United States, but also created unprecedented opportunities for the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and virtually anyone who had previously been given a check that has, as King put it, “come back marked ‘insufficient funds.’” Read More

We've got new content for you every Wednesday. Make sure you subscribe! Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn . Meet Your Host Dr. Shelley Stewart Click An Icon Below To Listen To Podcast EPISODE 1: Internalized Racism This episode is taken from an interview that took place in 1993 with Brother Ezekwa. Institutionalized racism leads many Blacks to think less of themselves and each other. They come to believe the stereotypes of the messages of oppression that are continually served by not only the media and external sources but also by friends, family, and authority figures. They have been told for so long that they are "less than..." that they eventually begin to believe it. The podcast also touches upon the 4 types of internalized racism: 1. Interpersonal Racism 2. Institutionalized Racism 3. Structural Racism 4. Internalized Racism View Episode 1 Details & Resources EPISODE 2: Did Dr. Martin Luther King's Dream Become a Nightmare? As a member of the King's Inner Circle, Hosea Williams served as the advance man, organizing some of the most important events in the movement. Williams traveled to cities throughout the South, recruiting and organizing volunteers, paving the way for appearances by Dr. King, Jesse Jackson , and Andrew Young .Williams and John Lewis led the "Bloody Sunday" march in Selma, Alabama, in 1965. This episode features an interview from September of 1994 with Dr. Shelley Stewart and Rev . Hosea Williams . Hosea reveals the dire warning Dr. King View Episode 2 Details & Resources EPISODE 3: Homelessness Homelessness affects a diverse range of individuals. It is not limited to a particular demographic, but can impact people of different ages, genders, races, and backgrounds. Among those who are homeless are individuals experiencing mental health issues, addiction, domestic violence survivors, veterans, youth, families with children, and individuals facing economic challenges such as unemployment or poverty. In this episode, Shelley replays an interview from April 6, 1993, where he meets with a former professional football player who has become homeless. The episode also features a harrowing excerpt from his memoir, The Road South, which depicts traumatic events and abuse from his youth (listener discretion is advised). The podcast concludes with a powerful lesson Shelley learned in a bar while working in St. Louis as the disc jockey, "Shelley the Playboy." View Episode 3 Details & Resources EPISODE 4: Hate Crimes Hate crimes have devastating impacts on individuals, communities, and society. Victims often suffer physical and emotional harm, leading to trauma and decreased sense of safety. Hate crimes also fuel fear, division, and mistrust within communities, contributing to social inequalities and damaging social cohesion. They erode trust in law enforcement and the justice system and have negative implications for economic development. Additionally, hate crimes perpetuate harmful stereotypes and attitudes toward targeted groups. Combating hate crimes through education, advocacy, and community engagement is crucial to promote inclusivity, tolerance, and a society that rejects hate and embraces diversity. This episode features an interview from March 1993 with Attorney Rodney Max , a member of the Coalition Against Hate Crimes. They discuss the trial of a hate crime killing of a homeless person in Birmingham. He offers positive solutions to the problem. He says, "Before I prejudge you, let me get to know you. View Episode 4 Details & Resources EPISODE 5: Is There A Need For HBCUs? Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have advantages such as fostering a sense of community and pride, providing a supportive environment, and offering diverse faculty and notable alumni. However, HBCUs may also face challenges such as limited resources, stigma, potential limitations in academic programs, and persistent inequalities. Recognizing the strengths and limitations of HBCUs is crucial in promoting access and success for Black students in higher educatio n while addressing the challenges to ensure equitable opportunities for all students, regardless of their race or background. In this episode, Shelley replays an interview with Carol Watkins and Leslie Prawl from October of 1991. View Episode 5 Details & Resources EPISODE 6: Should We End Black History Month? Black History Month has been celebrated for decades as a time to honor and recognize the contributions and achievements of Black individuals throughout history. However, some argue that relegating Black history to a single month perpetuates segregation and fails to fully integrate it into the mainstream curriculum. Ending Black History Month could be beneficial, as it would emphasize that Black history is an integral part of American history that should be incorporated into educational curricula throughout the year. By integrating Black history into the broader narrative, we can foster a more inclusive and comprehensive understanding of our shared past, promoting equality and unity. The podcast features an interview with Dr. Horace Huntley in February 1991 and suggests that by ending Black History Month, we might celebrate Black culture and history throughout the year. View Episode 6 Details & Resources EPISODE 7: Youth Gangs In 1989, two gang members from the Birmingham area approached Shelley and asked to be on his show, "Open Mic." They wanted to share their experiences about the myths and realities of gang life and share their regrets over the youth they lost while acting as members of a gang. Ironically, the mother of one of the gang members heard her son on the show and came in the following morning to share her feelings and warnings with other parents. While the nature of gang life has changed between 1989 and 2023, there are a surprising number of things that are still in common. In fact, you might be surprised to discover the backgrounds of many gang members are not what you think. View Episode 7 Details & Resources EPISODE 8: Part 2 of Youth Gangs & Drug Dealers Series Today’s episode reaches back to 1986 and was part of a series of interviews Shelley did on Open Mic with drug dealers and youth gangs. This individual had a promising career as a backup drummer for the well-known blues musician Bobby “Blue” Bland. Unfortunately, the lure of easy money pulled him into the world of dealing cocaine, Although he didn’t start dealing drugs until he was 44 years old. He shares stories about how, at that time, cocaine was cut with laxatives and even embalming fluid, and how the cutting agents were often more dangerous than the drug itself. He finishes his story by recounting the death of his cousin and fiance at the hands of three drug users. Stay tuned and learn from his life as we continue this series on youth gangs and drug dealers. View Episode 8 Details & Resources EPISODE 9: Part 3 of Youth Gangs & Drug Dealers Series This episode concludes our series on youth gangs and drug dealers with an interview of a young man who began dealing drugs at the age of 16. He was brought into a gang at the age of 10 and exposed to the life of a drug dealer. During that time, he’d seen fellow gang members killed and maimed. He even shares a harrowing description of mutilation that happened to a fellow gang member. Listener discretion is advised. He finally realizes what he missed and what he lost, and he shares a message with other young people. View Episode 9 Details & Resources EPISODE 10: Interview with Jim Porter from the NRA Shelley sat down in 1993 for an interview with Jim Porter, a member of the Board of Directors of the NRA. The arguments have not changed for the past 30 years, yet the problem of gun violence persists and, in fact, continues to grow in 2023. Shelley explores the challenges that existed in 1993 and compares them to today. View Episode 10 Details & Resources

In this episode, Shelley tells us about the early days of Black Media and how much of the entertainment for black audiences was produced by whites. Amos N Andy, for example, a well-known radio sitcom, was produced and performed by two white actors. Shelley recalls how the first black man in radio, Jack Cooper, blazed a trail in 1929, and by the time Shelley created his Playboy persona, he wasn’t interested in entertaining just blacks; he used the power of music to bring people together. Images Sources: CBS 1942, Jim Crow Museum, Radio Hall of Fame, and Shelley Stewart Season Two: Episode 03: The Evolution of Black Media, Part 1 This week we kick off the first of a two-part series on the Evolution of Black Media. In this episode, Shelley tells us about the early days of Black Media and how much of the entertainment for black audiences was produced by whites. Amos 'n' Andy , for example, a well-known radio sitcom, was produced and performed by two white actors. Shelley recalls how the first black man in radio, Jack Cooper , blazed a trail in 1929, and by the time Shelley created his Playboy persona, he wasn’t interested in entertaining just blacks; he used the power of music to bring people together. To listen to Part One of The Evolution of Black Media, CLICK HERE Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn . Excerpt and Blackface examples are from The Jim Crow Museum https://jimcrowmuseum.ferris.edu/question/2016/march.htm "During the heyday of radio, many advertisers sponsored entire shows. Advertisers sponsored dozens of shows that featured minstrel type performances. For example, Rinsol, Lever Brothers, Pepsodent, and Campbell’s Soup sponsored the Amos ‘n’ Andy show from the 1930s to the 1950s. The Pick and Pat show was sponsored by Dills Best and Model Smoking tobacco. Postum sponsored the Beulah show, which initially was voiced by a white male actor Marlin Hurt. Molasses and January were featured performers on the Dr. Pepper Parade show. The Jack Benny show, which was sponsored by Jell-O, sometimes featured Eddie Anderson, playing African-American valet Rochester, with blackface performers in skits." The Beulah show was sponsored by numerous sponsors, but this video highlights the advertisements of TUMS and General Foods on the Beulah show. The original Beulah was created and performed by a white actor, Marlin Hurt. Amanda Randolph was the last radio version of Beulah. TUMS and General Foods on the Beulah show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rk76BTu1y34 Rinsol, Lever Brothers, Pepsodent, Rexall,and Campbell’s Soup sponsored the Amos ‘n’ Andy radio show. Sponsors the Amos ‘n’ Andy radio show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVCI2W0Zr1s Amos 'n' Andy was born on radio in 1928. But its stereotypes and caricatures have roots deep in American culture and branches that are still evident today. The negative images in Amos 'n' Andy not only have historical precedents, but that they continued to inform televised representations of black Americans long after the show was no longer available. Read More Only known audio of the Gold Dust Twins show. Excerpt came from a reunion segment on the "Behind the Mike" show from 1940. Goldy and Dusty were two white actors, Harvey Hindemeyer and Earle Tuckerman, who performed skits in blackface and spoke with a broken dialect. The show was sponsored by Fairbanks Gold Dust Washing Powder. Fairbanks Gold Dust Washing Powder ads https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KrlY-P3DIY Pick and Pat and Molasses n January were blackface characters performed by Pick Malone and Pat Padgett. The duo were featured on shows sponsored by Dills Best Smoking Tobacco and Model Smoking Tobacco, Dr. Pepper, and Maxwell House coffee. Pick and Pat and Molasses n January were blackface characters. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuLX1xUakaI The Jack Benny Show was sponsored by Jell-O in 1936. Many segments featured blackface performers. Jack Benny Show blackface performers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7v58XJR60Y Captain Henry’s Showboat featuring Molasses and January at the 4:16 mark. This film is a “picturization” of the Maxwell House Showboat radio show. Maxwell House Showboat radio show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiYYKDoZdxA Read More Read More Aunt Jemima Variety show video produced by the Jim Crow Museum. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ipamH6EEwI Photos of Plumbline's Host, Dr. Shelley Stewart The Road South As a five-year-old in Home-wood, Alabama, Shelley Stewart watched his father kill his mother with an axe. Two years later, Stewart escaped the care of abusive relatives, making a living as a stable hand. A stint in the army led to electroshock treatments for trying to integrate whites-only dances. But despite numerous setbacks, he never gave up his will to succeed. Eventually, odd jobs at radio stations laid the foundation for a 50-year career in broadcasting. As an African-American radio personality, Stewart reached out to Jim Crow Alabama, using music to integrate his audience. Along the way, he helped launch the careers of such legends as Otis Redding, Isaac Hayes, and Gladys Knight. Instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement, he publicized the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A remarkable witness to and participant in the momentous social changes of the last three decades, Stewart, now a successful businessman and community leader, shares his courageous personal story that shows the indomitable strength of the human spirit. Purchase Now Also, Available On Audible Click An Icon Below To Listen To Shelley's Plumbline Podcast Dive Deeper The University of Arizona The Evolution of Black Representation on Television February 21, 2022 Television has served as "a primary source of America's racial education," says UArizona scholar Stephanie Troutman Robbins. Q: What are the main ways that TV's depiction of Black people has changed over time? A: Early television really reflected a very narrow representation of non-white characters. And a lot of the earlier characters were caricatures and racist depictions in many ways. And then as time goes on, we start to see more Black folks and we start to see them move from peripheral or secondary characters into primary focus. But for a while in television, you had extremes. You had the Black criminal stereotype and all the negative tropes associated with Blackness on the one hand, and then you had good, assimilating, respectable Black characters on the other. In the '80s, "The Cosby Show" depicted a Black affluent family who were different from the way that Blacks were mostly portrayed in mainstream TV at the time. Read More Read More National Museum of African America History & Culture Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom Blackface: The Birth of An American Stereotype Historian Dale Cockrell once noted that poor and working-class whites who felt “squeezed politically, economically, and socially from the top, but also from the bottom, invented minstrelsy” as a way of expressing the oppression that marked being members of the majority, but outside of the white norm. Minstrelsy, comedic performances of “blackness” by whites in exaggerated costumes and make-up, cannot be separated fully from the racial derision and stereotyping at its core. By distorting the features and culture of African Americans—including their looks, language, dance, deportment, and character—white Americans were able to codify whiteness across class and geopolitical lines as its antithesis. Make sure you check out their collection at https://shorturl.at/btTV3 Doug Battema Pictures of a Bygone Era: The Syndication of Amos ‘n’ Andy, 1954-66 Abstract This article seeks to raise questions about historiographical practice, challenge the reliance on apparently stable discourses of nation and race within contemporary historiography, and expand understanding of the potential and multiple sites of influence in which television operated during its early years as a popular medium. Drawing on principles articulated by Foucault and de Certeau about the production and generation of knowledge, the article critiques previous historical examinations of Amos ‘n’ Andy for overlooking salient features of the television program's cultural and industrial context, as well as its syndication run from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s. Using information about the syndication of Amos ‘n’ Andy gleaned principally from entertainment and advertising trade journals, the article points out how a more thorough understanding of the local, regional, and international context and of industrial practices may prove essential for recognizing possibilities about the patterns and circulation of cultural beliefs and historiographical norms. Battema, D. (2006). Pictures of a Bygone Era: The Syndication of Amos ‘n’ Andy, 1954-66. Television & New Media, 7(1), 3–39. https://doi.org/10.1177/1527476403253999 . Read More Lanier Frush Holt Writing the wrong: can counter-stereotypes offset negative media messages about African Americans? Abstract Several studies show media messages activate or exacerbate racial stereotypes. This analysis, however, may be the first to examine which types of information—those that directly contradict media messages (i.e., crime-related) or general news (i.e., non-crime-related)—are most effective in abating stereotypes. Its findings suggest fear of crime is becoming more a human fear, not just a racial one. Furthermore, it suggests tbat for younger Americans, the concomitant dyad of the black criminal stereotype—race and crime—is fueled more by crime than by race. Holt, L. F. (2013). Writing the wrong: can counter-stereotypes offset negative media messages about African Americans? Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 90(1), 108. Read More Lanier Frush Holt Writing the wrong: can counter-stereotypes offset negative media messages about African Americans? Abstract Several studies show media messages activate or exacerbate racial stereotypes. This analysis, however, may be the first to examine which types of information—those that directly contradict media messages (i.e., crime-related) or general news (i.e., non-crime-related)—are most effective in abating stereotypes. Its findings suggest fear of crime is becoming more a human fear, not just a racial one. Furthermore, it suggests tbat for younger Americans, the concomitant dyad of the black criminal stereotype—race and crime—is fueled more by crime than by race. Holt, L. F. (2013). Writing the wrong: can counter-stereotypes offset negative media messages about African Americans? Journalism & Mass Communication Quarterly, 90(1), 108. Read More References Dunning, J. On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio, Oxford University Press, 1998 Internet Archive, archive.org , Last accessed March 2016 Old Time Radio Catalog, OTRCAT.com , Last accessed March 2016 Old Radio World, Oldradioworld.com , Last accessed March 2016 Old Time Radio Downloads, Oldtimeradiodownloads.com , Last accessed March 2016 Radio Echoes, Radioechoes.com , Last accessed March 2016 Upload

Welcome to Season Three We've got new content for you every Wednesday. Make sure you subscribe! Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn . SEASON 3: EPISODE 3 Shelley's 89th Birthday Celebration! Happy 89th Birthday to Shelley Stewart! Today, we celebrate Shelley's 89th birthday with a recording of a speech Shelley made when he was 63 years old at Friendship Baptist Church . This Church plays a special role in Shelley's life. As a boy of five, he saw his mother murdered just a few blocks away. In spite of growing up without his parents, he would celebrate his graduation in this same Church. Without a doubt, the Friendship Baptist Church has held a special place in Shelley's heart. In today's podcast, he shares a message that he's shared all his life. A message that tells hard truths but also triumphs love, mutual respect, and human rights for ALL people and that faith is the power that enables the unlikely to accomplish the impossible. Today's episode is a heartfelt message from Shelley, one of faith. What we know is if you lose faith, you lose all. Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn . Click An Icon Below To Listen To Shelley's Plumbline Recently Aired SEASON 3: EPISODE 2 Yvonne Turner: A True Human Rights Shero This week, Shelley continues to explore some of the lesser-known yet powerful foot soldiers in the Movement. One such person is Yvonne Turner. Who is Yvonne Turner? Well, well before the Human Rights Movement of the 60s, the true Movement began in the mid-1950s, and people like Yvonne Turner, Georgia Price, and others were instrumental in organizing voter education drives and meetings. Visit shelleysplumbline.com to see one of the voter education documents Yvonne created and shared so Blacks could be prepared to answer questions in order to vote. She was often referred to as the most loved and hated woman in Birmingham because she helped the Movement so much but also spoke to a truth that many would rather not hear. View Season 3 Episode 2 Details & Resources SEASON 3: EPISODE 1 Rare Speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. To kick off Season 3 of Shelley's Plumbline, we went through his archives, and Shelley rediscovered some rare recordings of #MLK that he had forgotten about. These are speeches MLK made in Birmingham! Why are they rare? Because for his protection and to keep Bull Conner guessing, Dr. King would often show up to churches unannounced to make speeches. Shelley Stewart was in attendance recording the choir when Dr. King showed up. They left the recorder running when he made these speeches. You can hear them both in this week's podcast. Very timely given that September 15 is the anniversary of bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church. In Season 3, Shelley sets the record straight on the "Movement" and how only the media and politicians called it the "Civil Rights Movement." It was, and is, a Movement for the freedom of all people. Please listen, and if you are so moved, share it with others. View Season 3 Episode 1 Details & Resources SEASON TWO: EPISODE 10 The Plantation Ghost Today Shelley shares an interview from 1995 with Ezekwa Abdullah. Ezekwa argues that Blacks still repress themselves and suffer a form of psychological slavery in the collective subconscious psyche because attitudes of repression have been preserved and passed from one generation to the next. The ghost of the plantation exists today because not enough has been done to condemn this point of view. SEASON TWO: EPISODE 9 Free By Choice Inmates Share Their Stories Today, Shelley replays an interview from the Free By Choice program, which brought inmates from Alabama prisons on the air to speak openly about their crimes and the decisions which led to them. These Free By Choice inmates had a strong desire to share their stories so their suffering could serve to help others avoid making the same mistakes. Shelley Stewart LISTEN Season One Episode 1: Internalized Racism Season One Episode 2: Did Dr. Martin Luther King's Dream Become A Nightmare? Season One Episode 3: Homelessness Season One Episode 4: Hate Crimes Season One Episode 5: Is There A Need For HBCUs? Season One Episode 6: Should We End Black History Month? Season One Episode 7: Y outh Gangs & Drug Dealers Season One Episode 8: Part 2 Of Youth Gangs & Drug Dealers Season One Episode 9: Part 3 Of Youth Gangs & Drug Dealers Season One Episode 10: Interview With Jim Porter, Former NRA President Listen Upload EMAIL: CORLETTE@SHELLEYSPLUMBLINE.COM PR & PODCAST ENQUIRIES BUSINESS & SPEAKING ENQUIRIES PRESS EVENTS

Today we’ll begin an exploration of Shelley’s fascinating life in the music world. ​We’ll hear a clip of his interview with Eddie Kendricks, a lead singer with The Temptations. The interview traces the evolution of The Temptations, and discusses the surprising strategies of Barry Gordy and Motown Records and how they would manage the careers of groups, giving hit songs to certain groups to increase their popularity and accelerate their careers. Season Two: Episode 01: Shelley's Life In Music Interview with Eddie Kendricks Today we’ll begin an exploration of Shelley’s fascinating life in the music world. Over the course of his career, Shelley worked with many major names in music, such as Jackie Wilso n, Aretha Franklin , Wilson Pickett , and The Temptations . And he became fast friends with musical giants such as Bobby "Blue" Bland , Otis Redding , and Isaac Hayes . Today we’ll hear a clip of his interview with Eddie Kendricks , a lead singer with The Temptations. The interview traces the evolution of The Temptations, and discusses the surprising strategies of Barry Gordy and Motown Records and how they would manage the careers of groups, giving hit songs to certain groups to increase their popularity and accelerate their careers. Eddie also talks about his youth on the streets of Birmingham, Alabama, and how his life very nearly went in another, darker direction. Listen to the episode: The Last Interview with Eddie Kendricks Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn . Shelley Stewart Eddie Kendricks Photo Provided By Shelley Stewart Click An Icon Below To Listen To Shelley's Plumbline Podcast

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