The month of February is set aside to remind America of the contributions and impact that African Americans have had on shaping this country.
Jack L. Cooper is considered the first African American radio announcer in the U.S. Cooper was a veteran stage performer and columnist for the Chicago Defender. His radio career began in the 1920’s as a comedian at WCAP in Washington DC. Cooper realized there was a large population that was under-represented in radio.
He later became the host, producer, and announcer of The All-Negro Hour at WSBC in Chicago, a show created specifically for black performers who were trying to avoid the perpetuation of negative stereotypes.
Cooper went on to utilize radio as a social force on behalf of the black community. He created the Search For Missing Persons show as well as Listen Chicago, a program that focused on current events.
Cooper passed away in 1970, and was later inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2012.
Reporting for WGRT – Choze Powell
Source: radiohalloffame.com
