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Radio Legend And Civil Rights Activist Hal Jackson Dies

Radio pioneer and civil rights activist, Hal Jackson, pictured in 1970.
Michael Ochs Photography
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Radio pioneer and civil rights activist, Hal Jackson, pictured in 1970.

Hal Jackson, radio pioneer and the first African American to be inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters' Hall Of Fame in 1990, died Wednesday in New York. He was 96 years old.

Jackson spent his career cracking many color barriers, becoming the first African American network radio announcer, first black play-by-play sports announcer and first African American to host an interracial network television show, according to the Radio Hall of Fame, which inducted him in 1995.

His radio and civil rights career began at the same time when he defied a white radio station manager in 1939 and aired his interview program, The Bronze Review. A Yahoo review of his autobiography, "The House That Jack Built" explains Jackson bought radio time through white ad agencies and carefully chose his first guest: Franklin D. Roosevelt advisor and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. He didn't mention he'd host the program. After the first episode, the radio station was inundated by thrilled callers and the program stayed on the air.

Jackson later moved to New York where he co-founded Inner City Broadcasting, whose flagship station was WBLS-FM; this became the first ever black owned and operated radio station, notes Black Enterprise.

He was an on-air staple for decades, hosting a popular Sunday program, and recently appeared on the air, according to AP. He's credited with helping African American musicians win airplay for their work during segregation.

Jackson founded the popular talent competition, Talented Teens International. WBLS adds over the course of his life, he received four Presidential commendations. Funeral details haven't been announced.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Korva Coleman is a newscaster for NPR.