Encyclopedia of Black Radio in the United States, 1921–1955

This volume profiles about 300 African American (and a few white) performers, organizations and series broadcast during radio’s “Golden Age”—the years 1921 through 1955. Many of these personalities and programs are chronicled in more depth here than in any previous publication, while several are covered here for the first time. The entries reveal the rich diversity in radio programming created by black talent and intended for black audiences during a time that has often been portrayed as nearly devoid of a black presence. There are two appendices: a chronology of debuts and notable events, and a week-by-week episode guide of both the pioneering African American radio series The Negro Achievement Hour and The Negro Art Group Hour, both of which debuted in 1928. There is a bibliography and a comprehensive index. Read more