Black History in the Upstate - February 2005| February 1, 2005 Ruth Ann Butler: Keeper of the flame  WJMZ salutes Ruth Ann Butler, who qualifies as the foremost authority on black history in Greenville. Mrs. Butler heads the Greenville Cultural Exchange Center. The center houses... Read moreListen here February 2, 2005 Abraham Jonah Whittenberg: He put change on the fast-track  Every African-American parent who sends a child to public school in Greenville is indebted to A.J. Whittenberg, who stood up to racial segregation in the public school system and won. In 1963, Whittenberg sued .... Read moreListen here February 3, 2005 Rev. Santee Cleveland Cureton: Holding us to a higher standard  The Rev. S.C. Cureton is the pastor of Reedy River Missionary Baptist Church, one of the county's oldest and most prominent churches. But Cureton is also past president of the million-member... Read moreListen here February 4, 2005 Orlando Jones: Keeping it real in Hollywood  Integrity is important to Orlando Jones, which is why the actor has shied away from roles in films he considers demeaning to African Americans. WJMZ salutes this accomplished actor, writer and producer and rising star... Read moreListen here February 5, 2005 Merl Code: From jock to judge  Merl Code is the son of educators, so academic excellence was ingrained in him early on. It's why Code, a former professional football player, never missed a beat ... Read moreListen here February 6, 2005 Bo Griffin: Where drive meets talent  Bo Griffin was just bold enough to leave Greenville right after graduating J.L. Mann High School nearly 25 years ago and head straight for New York where she wanted to be a stage actress. It took boldness, grit and resiliency ... Read moreListen here February 7, 2005 Dr. William F. Gibson: He helped modernize civil rights  The late Dr. William F. Gibson, a Greenville dentist, was one of its most skilled warriors in the battle for civil rights and equal treatment. Between 1985 and 1995 Dr. Gibson was the national board chairman... Read moreListen here February 8, 2005 Peabo Bryson: He made the world "Feel the Fire"  Greenville's Peabo Bryson was one of music's most successful and gifted vocalists during the 1970s and 1980s and WJMZ salutes his accomplishments during Black History Month. Born in 1951, Bryson's undeniable ... Read moreListen here February 9, 2005 Brent Clinkscale: A Generation Next leader  Brent Clinkscale is an attorney and a trailblazing civic leader who is defining for a new generation of African Americans what it means to be a community leader... Read moreListen here February 10, 2005 Ralph Anderson: A voice for the voiceless  One South Carolina politician who persistently speaks truth to power is Sen. Ralph Anderson of Greenville, who has dedicated the past 23 years to public service. WJMZ salutes Sen. Anderson during Black History Month for his unwavering commitment to help poor people.... Read moreListen here February 11, 2005 Chief Willie Johnson: Our first African American Police Chief  Through a continued commitment to self-improvement and dedication to high professional standards, Chief Willie Johnson went from patrolman to major to becoming the city of Greenville's 23rd police chief in 2000..... Read moreListen here February 12, 2005 Penny Fisher: Totally focused on children  Last year Dr. Phinnize "Penny" Fisher became the first African American woman to lead the Greenville County School District... Read moreListen here February 14, 2005 Bill Whitney: Focused on changing lives  Since 1992, William B. Whitney has served as president of the Urban League of the Upstate, where he has championed the issues of minority homeownership, job training and education... Read moreFebruary 15, 2005 Jesse Louis Jackson: Keeping hope alive  Jesse Louis Jackson emerged from Greenville's poorest slums to become a student activist during the earliest days of the civil rights movement, a top lieutenant to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and founder of both Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition... Read moreFebruary 16, 2005 Karen Parks: A legend in the making  Greenville native Karen Parks, a graduate of Berea High School and Furman University, is one of world's most sought-after sopranos, recognized internationally for her opera, concert, recital, Broadway and classical jazz performances.... Read moreListen here February 17, 2005 Bill and Kim Chapman: Beauty is their business  Bill and Kim Chapman own Mauldin-based Chapman Products Corp., one of only a handful of African American-owned hair care manufacturers in the United States. WJMZ salutes the Chapmans for their budding success and the inspiration their story provides other black entrepreneurs..... Read moreListen here February 18, 2005 Judge Willie Smith: He helped bring down the walls of segregation  Late one evening in 1963, attorney Willie T. Smith Jr. got a visitor in his downtown office. It was A.J. Whittenberg who was ready to challenge the segregated Greenville County School District...... Read moreFebruary 19, 2005 Lillian Brock Flemming: A Political trailblazer  Greenville native Lillian Brock Flemming is the city's Mayor Pro Tem and the first African American woman to serve on Greenville City Council. WJMZ salutes councilwoman Flemming and her commitment to serve this community, especially its poorest areas...... Read moreFebruary 20, 2005 Tony Fisher: Protecting our communities  Tony Fisher, a career police officer, has dedicated his professional life to improving public safety and expanding opportunities for African American police officers....... Read moreFebruary 21, 2005 Coach Willie Jeffries: A coaching pioneer  Union's Willie Jeffries is among the most successful coaches in the history of black college football, having won more than 60 percent of his games during a 29-year career.... Read moreFebruary 22, 2005 Dwight Woods: Teaching us not to give up on our dreams  For nearly 20 years, the Phillis Wheatley Repertory Theatre for Youth has been providing African American singers, actors and musicians an outlet to hone their budding talents. The group's founder, Dwight Woods,.... Read moreFebruary 23, 2005 Bennie Cunningham: World Champion focused on our kids  Laurens Bennie Cunningham has lived a championship life, starring in three sports at Seneca High School, earning all-America honors at Clemson University and winning two Super Bowl rings.... Read moreFebruary 24, 2005 Curtis Johnson: Generation Next Minister  At 37, Curtis L. Johnson is pastor of one Greenville's largest predominately African American churches, fulfilling a legacy of pastoring established by his late grandfather, the Rev. A.B. Sherman..... Read moreFebruary 25, 2005 Jonathan Pinson: Generation Next Entrepreneur  Jonathan Pinson runs one of the largest African-American businesses in South Carolina, the 450-employee Pindrum Staffing. . .... Read moreFebruary 26, 2005 James Talley: History making politician  About 26 years ago, long-time coach and educator James Talley decided to enter politics. He would eventually win a seat on the Spartanburg City Council. His career would take a history making turn in 1991 when he was appointed to fill the mayoral term of former Mayor Bob Rowell. . . . .... Read moreFebruary 27, 2005 Roger Owens: Saving Our Sons  Dissatisfied with the violent cycle that was affecting many young African American males in the Upstate, Roger Owens decided not to simply bemoan all the negative statistics. He resolved to do something about it. . . . . .... Read more Listen weekdays during February at 7:45AM in the Tom Joyner Morning Show, and again at 12:50PM during the K. J. in the Midday Show, for McDonald's Black History Moments featuring interesting historical facts about African American history in the Upstate. McDonald's celebrates Black history 365 days a year by communicating the pride, achievement, heritage, and contributions of African Americans to American history. McDonald's, "I'm loving it." |
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