Josephine Bolling McCall: The Lynching of Elmore McCall

Josephine Bolling McCall: The Lynching of Elmore McCall

Josephine Bolling McCall reflects upon her father's lynching in Lowndes County, Alabama- The Lynching of Elmore McCall. For decades, Elmore Bolling's family believed myths perpetuated by white people, and even by Rosa Parks, about why he was killed: that he was involved in a love triangle or that he had insulted his assailant's wife. Though Josephine Bolling McCall's father was killed when she was 5 years old, it was not until she was 60 that she discovered an article in the Chicago Defender describing the real reason for her father's killing: "Enraged whites jealous over the success of a Negro, are believed to be the lynchers of Elmore Bolling."

Leon Von Brown: The Legacy of Clifford Brown

Leon Von Brown is the uncle of the late and acclaimed jazz trumpeter, Clifford Brown. Leon shares memories of his uncle and efforts create a lasting legacy about him. Von Brown also talks about his amazing career. Brown has theater and dance credits to include singing, acting, dancing, and choreography. He has worked on set with Alfre Woodard, Laurence Fishburne and Malcolm Jamaal-Warner and co-starred with Samuel L. Jackson. He developed performances for the Atlanta Ballet, Agnes Scott College and Clark-Atlanta University. He recorded and toured with the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir with shows at Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall and performed in the Opening Ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games on NBC-TV.

Part 1: Sonny Buxton: The Man Behind the mic at KCSM, "The Bay Area's Jazz Station to the World"

KCSM radio's own Sonny Buxton has been selected by the Jazz Journalists Association to receive the 2013 Jazz Hero Award for his contributions and dedication to broadcasting. Buxton, along with 25 other musicians and educators from the United States and Canada will be honored May 5 at the Jazz Heritage Center in San Francisco. Initially, Buxton never considered a future in radio or television as a career. In the early 1950s, he landed an internship in Los Angeles at a small radio station. Soon after, as a member of the U.S. Air Force, he became a disc jockey for the Armed Forces Radio while stationed in Tokyo in 1958. His first official broadcast show, House of Bamboo, played jazz from midnight until 1 a.m. Fascinated, Buxton sought employment at several different stations but was shunned by the racial discrimination that plagued the '50s and '60s. Radio stations were segregated which made it almost impossible to find a job. These challenges simply motivated him to push through the racial red tape. In 1962, he attained his FCC broadcasting license and tried to get a job at a radio station in Berkeley. Buxton recalls the station manager throwing his audition tape and bio in the trash after the interview. "He called me in based upon the way that the tape sounded, but when he saw me things changed," Buxton said. Undeterred by discrimination, he remained steadfast in his ambition. During his quest, he noticed that many stations were turning him down because he didn't have an engineer's license, which was necessary to work in the studio after midnight. He eventually went back to school and received his engineer's license. This was just another obstacle that Buxton fought through which lit a fire under him and boosted his confidence. As Buxton put it, "I simply wanted to eliminate any excuses."

Part 2: Sonny Buxton: The Man Behind the mic at KCSM, "The Bay Area's Jazz Station to the World"

Sonny Buxton has met and worked with some of the greatest entertainers in history over the years, from Duke Ellington to Sarah Vaughn, Eartha Kitt, Ray Charles, Percy Sledge and Smokey Robinson. Buxton credits Leonard Russell in Seattle and Charles Sullivan for exposing him to the business side of radio and music by booking shows, clubs and concerts at the Fillmore and the Richmond Auditorium. Buxton proved his business worth again by co-owning several clubs in Seattle years later like The District, Checkmate and Anxious Asp. In San Francisco, Buxton also opened Milestones in 1984, and co-owned Jazz at Pearl's with Pearl Wong, which closed in 2003. A few of Buxton's favorite artists include Ella Fitzgerald, Sammy Davis Jr., Ben Webster, Dexter Gordon, Carlos Jobim and anyone with a warm sound or considered American Standard, like Irving Berlin and Frank Sinatra. Buxton feels responsible for enlightening individuals based upon his experiences. He sees a need, and proudly takes on the role to advocate and inform about jazz, a true American classic. Buxton is one of the last of a fading breed of true pioneers, both culturally and historically, in broadcasting.

Part 1: U.S. Criminal Justice or Criminal Injustice? An Interview with Bryan Stevenson

In this compelling two-part interview with renowned attorney Bryan Stevenson, founder and Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, we discuss the stark disparities within the criminal justice system. Stevenson shares his insights on how racial bias and economic status impact our U.S. justice system and create different realities for the "haves" and the "have-nots." He highlights the critical need for public defenders and the role lawyers play in creating hope and challenging injustice. He questions why, despite a surplus of lawyers, many people of color and the poor still lack adequate representation. We also explore the harsh realities faced by defendants on death row and the broader implications of poverty as a barrier to equal justice. Stevenson, a leading voice in the fight for equal justice, discusses the historical context of racial bias, from the use of lynching to intimidate African Americans to the indifference shown when "bad" individuals commit violent crimes. Stevenson emphasizes the importance of redirecting resources to prevent violence through education and intervention, urging a more responsible and complex approach, as the political expediency of promising punishment doesn't limit victimization. With a wealth of experience, including multiple victories at the United States Supreme Court and major legal challenges against unfair sentencing, Stevenson provides a powerful perspective on the ongoing struggle for equality in the criminal justice system. His work has led to significant legal and social reforms. From founding the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice to authoring the critically acclaimed book "Just Mercy," Bryan Stevenson's impact is profound and far-reaching. This is an unforgettable conversation about justice for all in the U.S.