I remember the day I went to Ebony Jet for my interview with WJPC radio. Charles Mootry, the guy who hired Fly Jock, Tom Joiner, was the guy who hired me. Joiner would fly-in each day from his morning show in Dallas to his afternoon show in Chicago. That was great marketing. The entire audience was always perched on the edge of their seats wondering if Joiner would maintain his consecutive record of no missed days, even when there were major snow storms. I don’t think he ever missed a scheduled daily show. I’ll have to double-check that, though.
Immediately, I was doing my own copywriting for the radio commercials of my clients. Mr. Johnson was first class, we had copywriter “how-to books,” — we had to learn how to write on the seat of our pants. It was great training. The building had its own restaurant-style cafeteria, and Mr. Johnson would sometimes hold gatherings there where special notables would make remarks. WJPC was the top station in the market, during that period, so all the top music icons would come thru. I was in advertising sales, though, so I missed a lot of guests. I remember Melba Moore was set to be there one day, and oh did I want to meet Melba. Our offices were right there at the interview room door.
And the Chicago Defender — I knew I had arrived when I chatted with Black Panther leader Bobby Seale. In my mind, in those days, I was preparing for my future. And now I’m here, lol. A sale of my screenplay on “The Awakening of Khufu” would be a great culmination. It will literally change the global framing, I believe, following this interregnum— 
Previous Message
Here is another interesting story on Chicago's Black press. Surely, Les is familiar with Chicago Defender's Ethel Payne.
https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/ethel-payne Previous Message
A bit of sad reading, I think..
I remember how Jet & Ebony were must reads for those of us in the islands and they got circulated from hand-to-hand etc.
Anyway reading this is a bit sad:
google: "After a Black Media Empire Fell, a Photographer Explored the Extraordinary Building It Left Behind."
[10.22]
Well, at least the building survives in Chicago.
Message Thread
« Index | View all »