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Season 1: SEASON 1: EPISODE 1 Internalized Racism SEASON 1: EPISODE 2 Should We End Black History Month? SEASON 1: EPISODE 3 Did Dr. M. L. King's Dream Become A Nightmare? SEASON 1: EPISODE 4 Homelessness SEASON 1: EPISODE 5 Hate Crimes SEASON 1: EPISODE 6 Is There A Need For HBCUs? SEASON 1: EPISODE 7 Youth Gangs & Drug Dealers SEASON 1: EPISODE 8 Youth Gangs & Drug Dealers Part 2 SEASON 1: EPISODE 9 Youth Gangs & Drug Dealers Part 3 SEASON 1: EPISODE 10 Interview With Jim Porter, Former NRA President Click An Icon Below To Listen To Shelley's Plumbline Learn More Book For Speaking Engagements EMAIL: CORLETTE@SHELLEYSPLUMBLINE.COM PR & PODCAST ENQUIRIES BUSINESS & SPEAKING ENQUIRIES PRESS EVENTS

Today, Shelley reaches back into his archive to an interview with Mariam McClendon. They discuss colorism, that is, the differences in perception between light- and dark-complected blacks and the challenges darker-complected blacks encounter – even from members of their own race. Even though the interview is from 1991, the problem of colorism still exists today, hindering relationships and opportunities among blacks. Season Two: Episode 08 The Persistent Problem of Colorism Today, Shelley reaches back into his archive to an interview with Mariam McClendon. They discuss colorism, that is, the differences in perception between light- and dark-complected blacks and the challenges darker-complected blacks encounter – even from members of their own race. Even though the interview is from 1991, the problem of colorism still exists today, hindering relationships and opportunities among blacks. Click An Icon Below To Listen To Shelley's Plumbline Podcast Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn . The death of George Floyd last year has shone a spotlight on what it means to be Black, and especially, to be dark-skinned in America. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro has our report from Minnesota, home to a growing population of African and other immigrants. It is part of our continuing series "Race Matters", and Fred’s series, "Agents for Change." Watch Now In this extended interview from Roots, Race & Culture, Danor and Lonzo continue their conversation about colorism with University of Utah professor Edmund Fong and current student Darienne Debrule. The group explores how colorism differs among varying ethnic groups, and how you can help combat colorism in your own community. Watch Now CNN's Anderson Cooper highlights a project that reveals how children view racial beliefs, attitudes and preferences . Study shows black and white children are biased toward lighter skin. Test aimed to re-create landmark Doll Test from 1940s. Watch Now When Chika Okoro read the casting call for one of her favorite films, she noticed that actresses with darker skin were assigned lesser roles —prompting her to address a phenomenon she'd experienced all her life: colorism. In this eye-opening talk, Okoro shares coping strategies along with steps that could help eliminate this insidious and destructive mindset of discrimination. Watch Now When I began teaching in Boston, I was struck by how often students of color referred to each other as “light-skinned” or “dark-skinned.” Almost daily, I witnessed high school students identify, categorize and stereotype their peers based on skin tone. Having grown up African American in Louisiana, I was used to white people’s ideas of white superiority and even those “colorstruck” black people who preferred lighter skin. But I did not expect that so many young people of diverse ethnicities—including Dominicans, Puerto Ricans and Cape Verdeans—would actively engage in everyday forms of skin-color bias Read more Coloism Toolik Colorism is an insidious, globally prevalent bias that deeply impacts the lives and livelihoods of darker-skinned women. The term refers not only to the preference for lighter skin between different racial and ethnic communities, but also within those communities. Colorism is an enduring vestige of colonialism and white dominance around the globe and disproportionately harms women of color. Inclusive leaders must work to prevent women of color from experiencing colorism at work — and make sure they don’t leave. The author presents three ways to disrupt colorism in the workplace. Read More Every year, Hollywood inevitably comes under criticism for its lack of racial diversity. But another lesser-known yet still pervasive problem also resurfaces: the lack of diversity in skin tone. It happened again with “In the Heights,” a big-budget film based on the musical created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, which was called out this week for its dearth of dark-skinned, Black Latinos in leading roles. Colorism — or discrimination against darker-skinned people within their same ethnic group — lurks deep among pretty much all communities with varying levels of melanin. But it doesn’t get talked about, and that could be a setback for the racial justice efforts that intensified after the police killing of George Floyd last year. Read more Upload

Listen to Season 2 Now 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 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. View Episode 10 Details & Resources Click An Icon Below To Listen To Podcast Recently Aired 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. View Episode 10 Details & Resources 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. View Episode 9 Details & Resources SEASON TWO: EPISODE 8 The Persistent Problem of Colorism Today, Shelley reaches back into his archive to an interview with Mariam McClendon. They discuss colorism, that is, the differences in perception between light- and dark-complected blacks and the challenges darker-complected blacks encounter – even from members of their own race. Even though the interview is from 1991, the problem of colorism still exists today, hindering relationships and opportunities among blacks. View Episode 8 Details & Resources SEASON TWO: EPISODE 7 From Running Track to Running Drugs: An Interview with Orlando Jones Today’s episode of Shelley’s Plumbline features an interview from 1989 with Orlando Jones, a one-time track star at the University of Alabama. Orlando shares his story of how he went from running on a track as an All-American scholarship athlete to running drugs across the border in Mexico, eventually getting caught and landing in prison. He shares his message in the hope that others might avoid his fate. View Episode 7 Details & Resources SEASON TWO: EPISODE 6 Life After Prison:An Interview with Julius Davis Today’s episode features a 1993 interview with Julius Davis, a man who had just spent 19 years in prison. At 21 years of age, he had been handed two life sentences for his involvement in two separate murders. Julius discusses how prior to his crimes, he was involved as a positive influence in his community and how two bad decisions led him to prison. While in prison, however, Julius did not fall victim to negative influences. He created a circle of constructive people who kept their spirits in a positive place and made the best of the prison experience. Listen and hear how he continued his positive influence on the community after his release. View Episode 6 Details & Resources SEASON TWO: EPISODE 5 I Love The Skin I'm In In this episode, Shelley reflects on an interview from 1991 that covers the topic of racial identity. Which is the correct terminology? Black? African-American, People of Color? The interview also discusses class differences among Blacks. Be advised that this episode contains frank discussions about race and uses the n-word. Listener discretion is advised. View Episode 5 Details & Resources SEASON TWO: EPISODE 4 The Evolution of Black Media, Part 2 Today we continue exploring the Evolution of Black Media and the role Black radio stations played during the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s. We explore how the Black population began to look to popular disc jockeys such as Jack Gibson, Gertrude Cooper, Georgie Woods, Martha Jean “the Queen,” and the Plumbline’s very own Shelley “The Playboy” Stewart to hear coded messages regarding protests and demonstrations. Black Radio stations gave a voice to Dr. King and other prominent members of the Movement and became the medium of choice for disseminating urgent messages and direction. View Episode 4 Details & Resources SEASON TWO: EPISODE 3 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. View Episode 3 Details & Resources SEASON TWO: EPISODE 2 Finding Musical Talent on the Chitlin' Circuit Today we continue telling the story of Shelley’s life in the world of music as he reflects on his days traveling the south on what was known as the Chitlin' Circuit. As a talent agent for Shelby Singleton Productions, Shelley traveled the Chitlin Circuit searching for talent that played in small towns throughout the South. He would then take the talent to big cities to cut records and get exposure. He discovered Clarence Junior Lewis, who went by the stage name “CL Blast” Shelley discovered Willie Hightower and Johnny Adams. He managed The Dynamic Soul Machine and helped launch the career of JV Jenkins, who performed a moving rendition of Peace in the Valley at the inauguration of Birmingham’s first black mayor, Richard Arrington. Listen in as Shelley shares music, insights, and inside stories about his life on the “Chitlin' Circuit.” View Episode 2 Details & Resources SEASON TWO: EPISODE 1 Eddie Kendricks' Last Interview View Episode 1 Details & Resources 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 . 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. 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

Your Next Keynote Speaker Meet Dr. Shelley Stewart Book Dr. Shelley Stewart For Your Next Event INSPIRE. EMPOWER. TRANSFORM Why Book Biography Speaking Topics Past Engagements Why Book Dr. Shelley Stewart Decades of Leadership in business, broadcasting, and philanthropy. Trailblazer in Human Rights , honored for advancing equity and justice. Captivating Speaker known for delivering heart-driven, impactful messages. Trusted Voice featured in documentaries, news programs, and cultural archives. Dr. Shelley Stewart is a celebrated speaker, humanitarian, and visionary leader whose story of resilience, leadership, and commitment to unity has moved audiences across generations. From humble beginnings to national influence, Shelley's life work bridges business, education, human rights, and cultural change, Whether you're hosting a corporate event, educational forum, community gathering, or leadership conference, Dr. Stewart brings timeless wisdom, powerful storytelling, and an unwavering message of hope and transformation. Click "About Shelley" for a more comprehensive biography. Past Engagements Decades of Leadership in business, broadcasting, and philanthropy. Trailblazer in Human Rights, honored for advancing equity and justice. Captivating Speaker known for delivering heart-driven, impactful messages. Trusted Voice featured in documentaries, news programs, and cultural archives. Speaking Topics Include: Resilience and Redemption: Overcoming adversity to lead with purpose. The Power of Unity: Bridging generations, communities, and cultures. Leadership with Integrity: Building organizations that uplift humanity. Voice of Change: Human rights, media, education, the Academy of Common Sense, and the power of storytelling. Business for Good: From entrepreneurship to corporate citizenship. 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 reflects on an interview from 1991 that covers the topic of racial identity. Which is the correct terminology? Black? African-American, People of Color? The interview also discusses class differences among Blacks. Be advised that this episode contains frank discussions about race and uses the n-word. Listener discretion is advised. Season Two: Episode 05 I Love The Skin I'm In In this episode, Shelley reflects on an interview from 1991 that covers the topic of racial identity. Which is the correct terminology? Black? African-American, People of Color? The interview also discusses class differences among Blacks. Be advised that this episode contains frank discussions about race and uses the n-word. Listener discretion is advised. Click An Icon Below To Listen To Shelley's Plumbline Podcast Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn . The Name "Negro" by W.E.B. Du Bois March 1928 Dear Sir: I am only a high school student in my Sophomore year, and have not the understanding of you college educated men. It seems to me that since THE CRISIS is the Official Organ of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People which stand for equality for all Americans, why would it designate and segregate us as “Negroes,” and not as “Americans.” The most piercing thing that hurts me in this February CRISIS, which forced me to write, was the notice that called the natives of Africa, “Negroes,” instead of calling them “Africans,” or “natives.” The word “Negro,” or “nigger,” is a white man’s word to make us feel inferior. I hope to be a worker for my race, that is why I wrote this letter. I hope that by the time I become a man, that this word, “Negro,” will be abolished. Roland A. Barton My Dear Roland: Do not at the outset of your career make the all too common error of mistaking names for things. Names are only conventional signs for identifying things. Things are the reality that counts. If a thing is despised, either because of ignorance or because it is despicable, you will not alter matters by changing its name. If men despise Negroes, they will not despise them less if Negroes are called “colored” or “Afro-Americans.” Moreover, you cannot change the name of a thing at will. Names are not merely matters of thought and reason; they are growths and habits. As long as the majority of men mean black and brown folk when they say “Negro,” so long will Negro be the name of folks brown and black. And neither anger nor wailing nor tears can or will change the name until the name-habit changes. Suppose now we could change the name. Suppose we arose tomorrow morning and lo! Instead of being “Negroes,” all the world called us “Cheiropolidi,”—do you really think this would make a vast and momentous difference to you and to me? Would the Negro problem be suddenly and eternally settled? Would you be any less ashamed of being descended from a black man, or would your schoolmates fell any less superior to you? The feeling of inferiority is in you, not in any name. The name merely evokes what is already there. Exorcise the hateful complex and no name can ever make you hang your head. Or, on the other hand, suppose that we slip out of the whole thing by calling ourselves “Americans.” But in that case, what word shall we use when we want to talk about those descendants of dark slaves who are largely excluded still from full American citizenship and from complete social privilege with the white folk? Here is Something that we want to talk about; that we do talk about; that we Negroes could not live without talking about. In that case, we need a name for it, do we not? In order to talk logically and easily and be understood. If you do not believe in the necessity of such a name, watch the antics of a colored newspaper which has determined in a fit of New Year’s Resolutions not to use the word “Negro”! And then too, without the word that mans Us, where are all those whose spiritual ideals, those inner bonds, those group ideals and forward strivings of this might army of 12 millions? Shall we abolish there with the abolition of a name? Do we want to abolish them? Of course we do not. They are our most precious heritage. Historically, of course, your dislike of the word Negro is easily explained: “Negroes” among your grandfathers meant black folk; “Colored” people were mulattoes. The mulattoes hated and despised the blacks and were insulted if called “Negroes.” But we are not insulted—not you and I. We are quite as proud of our black ancestors as of our white. And perhaps a little prouder. What hurts us is the mere memory that any man of Negro descent was ever so cowardly as to despise any part of his own blood. But why seek to change the name? “Negro” is a fine word. Etymologically and phonetically it is much better and more logical than “African” or “colored” or any of the various hyphenated circumlocutions. Of course, it is not “historically” accurate. No name ever was more historically accurate: neither “English,” “French,” “German,” “White,” “Jew,” Nordic” nor “Anglo-Saxon.” They were all at first nicknames, misnomers, accidents, grown eventually to conventional habits and achieving accuracy because, and simply because, wide and continued usage rendered them accurate. In this sense, “Negro” is quite as accurate, quite as old and quite as definite as any name of any great group of people. Your real work, my dear young man, does not lie with names. It is not a matter of changing them, losing them, or forgetting them. Names are nothing but little guideposts along the Way. The Way would be there and just be as hard and just as long if there were no guideposts,—but not quite as easily followed! Your real work as a Negro lies in two directions: First, to let the world know what there is fine and genuine about the Negro race. And secondly, to see that there is nothing about that race which is worth contempt; your contempt, my contempt; or the contempt of the wide, wide world. Get this then, Roland, and get it straight even if it pierces your soul: a Negro by any other name would be just as black and just as white; just as ashamed of himself and just as shamed by others, as today. It is not the name—it’s the Thing that counts. Come on, Kid, let’s go get the Thing! Copied the text: W.E.B. Du Bois. “The Name "Negro"”. Letter, March, 1928. From Teaching American History. https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/the-name-negro/ (accessed July 31, 2023). Click to Read Which is the correct terminology: Black, African American or People of Color? It depends. "Black" refers to dark-skinned people of African descent, no matter their nationality. "African American" refers to people who were born in the United States and have African ancestry. Many people use the terms interchangeably. Young Black activists in the United States started using "Black" in the 1960s when referring to descendants of slaves as a way to leave the term "Negro" and the Jim Crow era behind, says Keith Mayes, associate professor of African American and African Studies at the University of Minnesota. "African American" caught on in the US in the 1980s as a more "particular and historical" term than the generic "Black," Mayes says. "People of color" was originally meant to be a synonym of "Black," but its meaning has expanded to accommodate Latinos, Asians, Native Americans and other non-white groups, says Efren Perez, a professor of political science and psychology at the University of California Los Angeles. To say you are a person of color is more celebratory and positive than to say you are part of a "minority," he says. All three terms are acceptable. Which you prefer comes down to personal choice, the situation you're in and how invested you are in your racial identity, Perez says. The meanings of words and phrases can change over time. For example, the words "colored" and "Negro" are now considered dated and offensive - but they weren't when the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the United Negro College Fund were created in the early 20th century. Those organizations haven't changed their names, but "by no means they are trying to perpetuate a name that is offensive to Black people," Mayes says. "Their very history, it's about advancing the Black cause." -Nicole Chavez, CNN Dive Deeper Afro-American or black: what’s in a name? Prominent blacks and-or African Americans express their views An old and controversial issues has resurfaced. What should we call ourselves, "Blacks" or "African-Americans"? The debate was rekindled last winter after 75 national leaders met to discuss a Black agenda. Speaking for the group, the Rev. Jesse Jackson declared: "To be called Black is baseless. . . To be called African-American has cultural integrity." Others who support the redefinition say a name-change campaign could give impetus to a new mass movement for equality. It could have the same effect as the campaign to be called black had in the 1960s and the movement to be called Negro before that. Opponents of the campaign say it is an exhaustive exercise in semantics that diverts attention from more serious issues such as crime, poverty and inadequate eductional and employment opportunities. Whether they are for, against or neutral, prominent Black leaders suggest that the answer to the question, "What's in a name: Black or African-American?," is more than skin-deep. Afro-American or black: what’s in a name? Prominent blacks and-or African Americans express their views. (1989, July 1). Ebony, 44(9), 76. Read More African-American Nomenclature: The Label Identity Shift from "Negro" to "Black" in the 1960s In the United States, Americans of African Descent have held many identity labels: African, Colored, Negro, Afro-American, Black, and African-American. In the 1960s, there was a shift from the use of "Negro" to the use of "black" as a group identifier. In 1966 Stokely Carmichael shouted the phase "Black Power." Three years later, in 1969, "Negro" was replaced by "black" as the dominant label identifier. This paper will how I measured when the shift occurred and will also set out three major explanations for why the shift happened relatively quickly. Understanding the shift to "black" may help with understanding why the identifier "African-American" has not completely replaced "black." Bell, Z. (2013). African-American Nomenclature: The Label Identity Shift from "Negro" to "Black" in the 1960s. UCLA. ProQuest ID: Bell_ucla_0031N_11240. Merritt ID: ark:/13030/m5h71vr1. Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1j12q56x Read More From Negro to Black to African American: The Power of Names and Naming Discusses the use of politically correct terms such as 'African-American' to describe black people. Plight of Jesse Jackson to promote pride and a sense of ethnic identity among African-Americans; Suggestion that naming groups of people is a political exercise; How ethnic groups in the U.S. make reference to a historical land base; Use of the phrase 'black power' by advocates of racial assertiveness; Condemnation of anti-white separatism by Roy Wilkins, the director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Martin, B. L. (1991). From Negro to Black to African American: The Power of Names and Naming. Political Science Quarterly (Academy of Political Science), 106(1), 83. https://doi.org/10.2307/2152175 Read More Upload

Season 2: SEASON 2: EPISODE 1 Eddie Kendrick's Last Interview SEASON 2: EPISODE 2 Finding Musical Talent On The Chitlin' Circuit SEASON 2: EPISODE 3 The Evolution of Black Media, Part 1 SEASON 2: EPISODE 4 The Evolution of Black Media, Part 2 SEASON 2: EPISODE 5 I Love The Skin I'm In SEASON 2: EPISODE 6 Life After Prison: An Interview With Julius Davis SEASON 2: EPISODE 7 From Running Track To Running Drugs: An Interview With Orlando Jones SEASON 2: EPISODE 8 The Persistent Problem of Colorism SEASON 2: EPISODE 9 Free By Choice: Prison Inmates Share Their Personal Stories SEASON 2: EPISODE 9 The Plantation Ghost Click An Icon Below To Listen To Shelley's Plumbline Learn More Book For Speaking Engagements 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

Season 3: Episode 1 Rare Speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. NPR Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Image JOHN LEWIS' FORWARD IN THE 2004 EDITION PUTTING THE MOVEMENT BACK INTO CIVIL RIGHTS TEACHING You are about to embark on a wonderful journey, a journey into our collective identity as an American people. That is why I have always loved history, because it is through the study of our past that we discover who we are today as a nation. And the more you explore the American experience, the more you realize that the cry for freedom has inspired some of the greatest events of our history. The Civil Rights Movement is just that kind of American story. We were a congregation of “ordinary” men and women who had an extraordinary vision. Some of us had examined our nation’s philosophy simply and eloquently described in the Constitution, but most of us just answered a whisper deep in our souls that something was amiss in America. We faced the truth that generations of racial prejudice, segregation, and discrimination were not fair; they were not right, they were not just. And it was that deep urging for liberation that ignited our courage to act. We determined to make this nation live up to its creed of “freedom and justice for all.” And we found a way to get in the way. We found a way, through nonviolent protest, to dramatize our issues. We held up a mirror to America so it could see the true face of its democracy. That revelation brought change. It transformed the landscape of this nation. It also shook the spirits of people around the globe who modeled their own freedom movements on the achievements of these “ordinary,” inspired Americans of the Civil Rights Movement. History expresses who we are, but it also reveals who we must become. The ideals of this nation are noble and great. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness .”  Declaration of Independence, 1776 But they are yet to be fully realized. Our past calls us to awaken to our future, to answer the soul’s eternal quest for liberation. Call it the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement or the spirit of history. We must recapture this spirit. As a nation and as a people, we must make this spirit part of our thoughts, our actions, and our lives. All of us—Black, White, Latino, Asian, and Native American—must pull together for the common good. This is our American mission. This is our charge, to build what I call the Beloved Community, a nation at peace with itself, one nation, one people, one house, and one family. This is, above all, the greatest lesson of the Civil Rights Movement, that our work is not done until our collective dreams of freedom, equality, and justice are made real for every life in this country. Purchase Putting the Movement Back into Civil Rights Teaching Season 3: Episode 1 "We challenge you to do your own research on some of the heroes and sheroes who claimed to have been a part of The Movement and learn the real stories of all the many, many ordinary people who performed heroic acts." - Dr. Shelley Stewart Click An Icon Below To Listen To Shelley's Plumbline Podcast Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn . To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key. Civil Rights Teaching Critiquing the Traditional Narrative The View from the Trenches By Charles Payne Looking Back: Historical Language and Historical Memory From Hassan Jeffries Our understanding of social change, our conceptions of leadership, our understanding of the possibilities of interracial cooperation are all affected by how we remember the movement. Even much of the language that we use to discuss social issues derives from movement days. We think of the movement as a movement for “civil rights” and against “segregation.” Even those seemingly innocuous terms carry their own historical baggage. “Segregation” became the accepted way to describe the South’s racial system among both Blacks and whites. In its denotative meaning, suggesting separation between Blacks and whites, it is not a very accurate term to describe that system. The system involved plenty of integration; it just had to be on terms acceptable to white people. Indeed, the agricultural economy of the early-twentieth-century South probably afforded a good deal more interracial contact than the modern urban ghetto. “White supremacy” is a more accurate description of what the system was about. “Segregation” is the way apologists for the South liked to think of it. In implies, “We’re not doing anything to Black people; we just want to keep them separate from us.” It was the most innocent face one could put on that system. When we use the term as a summary term for what was going on in the South, we are unconsciously adopting the preferred euphemism of nineteenth-century white supremacist leadership. If “segregation” is a poor way to describe the problem, “integration” may not tell us much about the solution. It is not at all clear what proportion of the Black population was interested in “integration” as a general goal. African Americans have wanted access to the privileges that white people have enjoyed and have been interested in integration as a possible avenue to those privileges, but that view is different from seeing integration as important in and of itself. Even in the 1950s, it was clear that school integration, while it would potentially put more resources into the education of Black children, also potentially meant the loss of thousands of teaching jobs for Black teachers and the destruction of schools to which Black communities often felt deeply attached, however resource-poor they were. There was also something potentially demeaning in the idea that Black children had to be sitting next to white children to learn. The first Black children to integrate the schools in a given community often found themselves in a strange position, especially if they were teenagers. While some black people thoughts of them as endangering themselves for the greater good for the community, others saw them as turning their backs on that community and what it had to offer. It is probably safest to say that only a segment of the Black community had anything like an ideological commitment to “integration,” while most Black people were willing to give it a try to see if it really did lead to a better life. We might also ask how “civil rights” came to be commonly used as a summary term for the struggle of African Americans. In the late 1960s, after several civil rights bills had been passed, a certain part of white America seemed not to understand why Black Americans were still angry about their collective status. “You have your civil rights. Now what’s the problem?” In part, the problem was that “civil rights” was always a narrow way to conceptualize the larger struggle. For African Americans, the struggle has always been about forging a decent place for themselves within this society, which has been understood to involve the thorny issues of economic participation and self-assertion as well as civil rights. . . . One hypothesis, of course, would be that “civil rights” becomes so popular precisely because it is so narrow, precisely because it does not suggest that distribution of privilege is part of the problem. The “civil rights” language also implies the movement was about Negroes; they were the ones who did not have “civil rights.” From the viewpoint of a Septima Clark or an Ella Baker, the movement was about enriching American democracy, and those in whose name it was made were not the only ones who profited from it. Related Resources Alridge, Derrick. “The Limits of Master Narratives in History Textbooks: An Analysis of Representations of Martin Luther King, Jr. ” Teachers College Record, Volume 108, Number 4, April 2006. Read a description and download here . Jeffries, Hasan Kwame. “Remaking History: Barack Obama, Political Cartoons, and the Civil Rights Movement .” In Civil Rights History from the Ground Up: Local Struggles, a National Movement edited by Emilye Crosby (University of Georgia Press, 2011). Kohl, Herb. “The Politics of Children’s Literature: What’s Wrong with the Rosa Parks Myth .” A critical analysis of children’s books about Rosa Parks and the Civil Rights Movement. (Published by Rethinking Schools, posted on the Zinn Education Project website.) here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy. Shelley Stewart WAOK "The Movement started before the 1960s and has always been a fight for human rights for all. We did say that we would commit civil disobedience as we fight for human rights. It became "the civil rights movement" once politicians got involved. We are still fighting for human rights today." - Dr. Shelley Stewart What Are Human Rights? Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. Human rights include the right to life and liberty, freedom from slavery and torture, freedom of opinion and expression, the right to work and education, and many more. Everyone is entitled to these rights, without discrimination. Learn More The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration is situated on a site in Montgomery where Black people were forced to labor in bondage. Blocks from one of the most prominent slave auction spaces in America, the Legacy Museum is steps away from the rail station where tens of thousands of Black people were trafficked during the 19th century. Learn More In this study, I argue that American history textbooks present discrete, heroic, one-dimensional, and neatly packaged master narratives that deny students a complex, realistic, and rich understanding of people and events in American history. In making this argument, I examine the master narratives of Martin Luther King Jr. in high school history textbooks and show how textbooks present prescribed, oversimplified, and uncontroversial narratives of King that obscure important elements in King’s life and thought. Such master narratives, I contend, permeate most history textbooks and deny students critical lenses through which to examine, analyze, and interpret social issues today. The article concludes with suggestions about how teachers might begin to address the current problem of master narratives and offer alternative approaches to presenting U.S. history. Learn More Upload

Season 3: SEASON 3: EPISODE 1 Rare Speech of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. SEASON 3: EPISODE 2 Yvonne Turner: On of Human Rights True Shero SEASON 3: EPISODE 3 Shelley's 89th Birthday SEASON 3: EPISODE 4 Uncovering the Movement: An Interview with N. H. Fireball Smith SEASON 3: EPISODE 5 Dr. Vincent Harding Discusses The True Meaning of the Struggle SEASON 3: EPISODE 6 James Armstrong and His Story of the Integration of Graymont School SEASON 3: EPISODE 7 An Interview with Tommy Wrenn, Foot Soldier in the Movement SEASON 3: EPISODE 8 Yvonne Willie Author of the Boy Who Didn't Want to Be Black SEASON 3: EPISODE 9 Mayor Ford Talks About Redistricting in the 90s SEASON 3: EPISODE 10 An Open Forum Discussion on William Raspberry, Racism and Economic Power Click An Icon Below To Listen To Shelley's Plumbline Learn More Book For Speaking Engagements

Plumbline News Room 01 The 2025 Radio Hall of Fame Inductees By the Radio Hall of Fame June 2025 02 New York Times By April 2023 03 At Age 88, Birmingham Radio Legend Shelley Stewart: ‘I Ain’t Tired Yet Birmingham Times By Jamaica Harris Bowser February 1, 2023 04 City of Birmingham hosts annual AWAKEN celebration honoring Dr. Shelley Stewart WVTM13 By Mattie Davis October 2022 05 Winnowed by the Hardships of His Youth, This Top Ad Executive is Now an Advocate for Keeping Kids in School American Essence By Karim Shamsi-Basha July 2022 06 Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement The Group Travel Leader By Brian Jewell March 4, 2022 07 A Black Radio Pioneer: One-On-One with Shelley ‘The Playboy’ Stewart CBS 42 By Art Franklin February 28, 2022 08 How Shelley Stewart Subverted the System to Become an Advertising Success Ad Week By Doug Zanger February 22, 2021 09 Groundbreaking partnership quietly defied the days of segregation Southern Jewish Life By Richard Friedman January 9, 2022