Port Of Harlem Talk Radio interviews three people, writer Peter Bailey, photographer David “Oggi” Ogburn, and oral historian Janet Sims-Wood, each whom have impacted Port Of Harlem magazine. We talk about three people they had gotten to know and how those three people impacted them, Malcolm X, Chancellor James Williams, and Dovey Johnson Roundtree, respectively.

Most Interestingly, when preparing for this episode of Port Of Harlem Talk Radio, we learned that all three are included in History Makers, The Nation’s Largest African American Video Oral History Collection program, that Roundtree was a minister at Allen AME Church that is near our headquarters, and Williams, like myself, was a section chief at the US Census Bureau.

Writer Peter Bailey

In 1962, Peter Bailey moved to Harlem, New York City; and, in 1964, became a founding member of Malcolm X’s Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU), where he was editor of the OAAU newsletter, Blacklash. He talks about Brother Malcolm and the impact Malcolm X had own his life and his second forthcoming book on Malcolm X, “Brother Malcolm X’s Visionary, Strategic, Pan-Africanism:  Why it Enraged the United State Government.”

Photographer David “Oggi” Ogburn
    
Chancellor Williams
In 1975, David Ogburn began serving as assistant to the historian Chancellor James Williams, where he documented his work through photography and audiotape until 1987. Williams is noted for his work on African civilizations prior to encounters with Europeans; his major work is “The Destruction of Black Civilization” (1971/1974).

Oral Historian Dr. Janet Sims-Wood

In 1993, Dr. Janet Sims-Wood interviewed several of the original 40 Black women in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, or the first official women’s branch of the armed services. It was created in 1942 and later became The Women's Army Corps (WAC). The WAC was disbanded in 1978 and integrated with male units.

In 1942, many thought women who wanted to join the army where either prostitutes or lesbians. Members of the original 40 African-American women recruited by Dr. Mary Bethune were also part of the first WAACs officer training class. One of the 40 members was Dovey Johnson Roundtree, went on to become a celebrated Civil rights and criminal defense lawyer, and minister in her 104 years.

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Note:

Like many of our readers, these three have found ways to enhance this publication. Bailey has provided several articles, quotes, and countless historical tidbits over the decades. Ogburn, too, has provided historical tidbits over the decades and photographs, complete with oral histories. Sims-Wood, most recently, unselfishly, introduced us to one of the Port Of Harlem Gambian Education Partnership’s most consistent donors and provider of library services technical advice, Dr. Irene Owens.

Port Of Harlem Talk Radio

Thu, Apr 15, 8p; Peter Bailey, photographer David “Oggi” Ogburn, and oral historian Janet Sims-Wood

To call to hear and/or ask a question, dial 516-531-9540, once connected press 1 to ask a question, or go to the Port Of Harlem Talk Radio page and click the "Current Show" to hear or to write a comment and/or question. Recordings of the show usually becomes available about 30 minutes after the live broadcast ends.