Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons Podcast

Date: May 27, 2026

Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons

Title and Show Info

Episode #54. The Boy with the Weak Heart Who Outran the World: The Story of Mack Robinson

Featuring: Toni Davis (Host & Storyteller).

Summary

🎙️ The Boy with the Weak Heart Who Outran the World: The Story of Mack Robinson

Discover the powerful story of African American Olympian Matthew Mackenzie "Mack" Robinson.🏅 A trailblazing track and field star whose determination helped shape Olympic history during the legendary 1936 Olympics era. As the older brother of baseball icon Jackie Robinson, Mack carved his own path in sports history, earning recognition as one of the most inspiring figures of Black excellence in athletics.

In this episode of Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons podcast 🎧, we explore Mack's journey, resilience, and the barriers he overcame while competing alongside legends like Jesse Owens and other members of his US Olympic team. From Pasadena to the global stage, Mack Robinson's legacy reflects courage, speed, and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Tune in to celebrate African American athletes, Olympic history, and untold stories that continue to inspire generations. 🌍✨ Perfect for fans of sports history, civil rights in sports, and powerful historical biographies.

Highlights:

00:57- INTRO.

01:05- MACK ROBINSON'S BIRTH.

01:14- FATHER JERRY ROBINSON.

01:19- MOTHER MALLIE ROBINSON.

01:22- FOUR SIBLINGS.

01:58- PASADENA, CA.

02:34- HEART MURMUR.

02:58- WASHINGTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL.

03:12-JOHN MUIR HIGH SCHOOL.

03:38- CALIFORNIA STATE CHAMPION.

04:02- PASADENA CITY COLLEGE.

04:15- OLYMPIC REGIONAL TRIALS IN LA.

04:41- FINAL OLYMPIC TRIALS IN NYC.

05:01- GERMANY.

05:04- OLYMPIC GAMES IN BERLIN, GERMANY.

05:42- SILVER MEDAL.

06:34- MORE MEDALS AT PASADENA CITY COLLEGE.

06:44- UNIVERSITY OF OREGON.

06:51- MORE MEDALS AT UNIVERSITY OF OREGON.

07:11- GRADUATES FROM UNIVERSITY OF OREGON.

07:26- DIRECTOR AT LEMON GROVE PARK.

08:06- JACKIE ROBINSON STADIUM AT UCLA.

08:33- PASADENA CITY COLLEGE HALL OF FAME.

08:40- OREGON SPORTS HALL OF FAME.

08:45- LA MEMORIAL COLISEUM SUMMER GAMES OPENING CEREMONY.

09:06- FAMILY LIFE.

09:32- FAILING HEALTH ISSUES.

09:46- RODNEY KING VERDICT. HELPED RESTORE PEACE.

10:04- PASADENA ROBINSON MEMORIAL.

10:35- PASSES AWAY.

10:43- MOUNTAIN VIEW CEMETERY AND MAUSOLEUM.

10:48- ACCOLADES.

11:26- CONCLUSION.

Subscribe to the podcast.

Links To Additional Resources:

Mack Robinson (sprinter) - Wikipedia

Second to None: The Legend and Legacy of Mack Robinson | OregonNews

Mack Robinson and the 1936 Olympics | The Jackie Robinson Museum

Olympian Mack Robinson Dead at 88 - Los Angeles Times

Mack Robinson Olympic track and field star and Jackie Robinson's brother | Athletics

Matthew Mackenzie ROBINSON

Matthew MacKenzie "Mack" Robinson (1912-2000) | BlackPast.org

From Olympic Star Sprinter To Street Sweeper, Meet Jackie's Forgotten Brother Mack Robinson Boston Condos For Sale Ford Realty

Mack Robinson, Olympian, Civic Justice Activist and oh yes, Jackie's older brother - USEDmedia.org

Pasadena Robinson Memorial - Pasadena Public Art Collection

Jackie and Mack Robinson Memorial in Pasadena | Atlas Obscura

Mack Robinson (athlete) Facts for Kids

Mack Robinson - IMDb

You Know Mack Robinson's Brother, Now Get To Know Mack Robinson | Brady Carlson

Mack Robinson | | The Guardian

Flintridge Prep students find inspiration in 1936 Olympian Mack Robinson's life

Mack Robinson Obituary : NPR

Mack Robinson (athlete) - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mack Robinson: Oregon Duck, Inspiration for Change | FishDuck

Mack Robinson competing in Olympic games - Pasadena City College Digital Archive

Mack Robinson | Olympics Wiki | Fandom

Mack Robinson - Bio, Family | Famous Birthdays

Mack Robinson ran into history, 76 years ago today – Pasadena Star News

From star sprinter to street sweeper, meet Jackie's forgotten brother Mack Robinson - Face2Face Africa

mack robinson — 1959. Marketing / Creativity / Curiosity

Remembering Cairo's Mack Robinson | Thomasville Times-Enterprise

Jackie Robinson's brother Mack was Olympic star

Mack Robinson, 85, Second to Owens in Berlin - The New York Times

Mack robinson 1936 hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy

Mack Robinson (athlete) - Alchetron, the free social encyclopedia

Person of Note | The Mack Robinson Legacy: Defying the Odds in Life and at the Olympics - Culture Honey

Mack Robinson Olympic track and field star and Jackie Robinson's brother | Los Angeles Dodgers

Mack Robinson – Wikipedia

Matthew Robinson - Breaking the Color Barrier

Who was Jackie Robinson's brother, Mack Robinson? All about forgotten sprinter who won a silver medal at the 1936 Olympics

Photo Gallery: Memories of Mack Robinson by his wife and daughter at Flintridge Prep

Mack Robinson Olympic track and field star and Jackie Robinson's brother | Atlanta Braves

Mack Robinson Olympic track and field star and Jackie Robinson's brother | New York Mets

Mack Robinson - Wikipedia

Date: May 13, 2026

Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons

Title and Show Info

Episode #53. Streets of Progress: The Life and Inventions of Charles B. Brooks

Featuring: Toni Davis (Host & Storyteller).

Summary

🎙️ Streets of Progress: The Life and Inventions of Charles B. Brooks

Did you know that one of the most important inventions in urban life, the modern street sweeper, was invented by Charles B. Brooks. An African American inventor in the late 19th century?

In this episode, we dive into the life and legacy of Charles B. Brooks. Exploring his innovative patents, the challenges African American inventors faced during his time, and how his inventions transformed everyday urban living. From engineering innovations to the fight for recognition in African American history, Charles B. Brooks' story sheds light on the unsung heroes of invention whose contributions still shape our world today.

Whether you're passionate about Black history, fascinated by science and technology breakthroughs, or just curious about the origins of the things we take for granted, this episode will leave you inspired.

#CharlesBBrooks #EngineeringHistory #BlackHistory #ForgottenInventors #STEM

Highlights:

00:57- INTRO.

01:05- CHARLES B. BROOKS' BIRTH IN ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, VA.

02:28- RELOCATES TO NEWARK, NJ.

02:35- EMPLOYED AS A PORTER AT THE PULLMAN PALACE CAR COMPANY.

04:06- FILES FOR US PATENT FOR HIS "TICKET PUNCH" INVENTION.

04:13- RECEIVES US PATENT FOR HIS "TICKET PUNCH" INVENTION.

04:48- HE IMAGES HIS "STREET SWEEPEER" INVENTION.

05:10- HE WORKS ON HIS "STREET SWEEPER" INVENTION.

05:38- FILES FOR US PATENT FOR HIS "STREET SWEEPER" INVENTION.

06:24- FILES FOR US PATENT FOR HIS "DUST-PROOF BAG" INVENTION.

06:50- SWEEPER STREETER PRODUCTION BEGINS IN SCRANTON, PA.

07:18- AWARDED A CONTRACT BY PA STATE GOVERNMENT FOR HIS STREET SWEEPER INVENTION.

07:30- BUFFALO, NY ADOPTS HIS STREET SWEEPER INVENTION.

07:52- RECEIVES US PATENT FOR HIS "STREET SWEEPER" INVENTION.

08:06- RECEIVES US PATENT FOR HIS "DUST-PROOF BAG" INVENTION.

08:59- CHARLES' HEALTH BEGINS TO FAIL.

09:22- CHARLES B. BROOKS PASSES AWAY IN NEWARK, NJ.

09:37- BURIED AT THE UNION FIELD CEMETERY IN NEWARK, NJ.

09:45- CONCLUSION.

Subscribe to the podcast.

Links To Additional Resources:

Charles Brooks First Patent on Self-Propelled Street Sweeper

Charles B. Brooks - Wikipedia

Charles B. Brooks (1865-?) | BlackPast.org

Charles Brooks: African American Inventor

Charles Brooks - The Black Inventor Online Museum

ABC7 Unite: 2 Black inventors changed the way we clean clothes and our streets - ABC7 New York

Charles B. Brooks Facts for Kids

Charles B Brooks (1865-1908) - Find a Grave Memorial

Charles B. Brooks

Who Invented the Street Sweeper Truck?

Date: April 29, 2026

Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons

Title and Show Info

Episode #52. Ink, Action, and Independence: The Life of Mary Ann Shadd Cary

Featuring: Toni Davis (Host & Storyteller).

Summary

In this powerful episode of Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons, we celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Mary Ann Shadd Cary.✊🏾 A fearless abolitionist, pioneering journalist 📰, and passionate educator 📚, Shadd Cary broke barriers as one of the first woman publisher in Canada, as well as one of the first African American women in the United States to publish and edit a newspaper.

Her voice championed African American liberation, women's rights, and education during the height of the anti-slavery movement, leaving an indelible mark on African American history, Black Canadian history and civil rights history. 🌍✨ From advocating for equality to empowering communities through knowledge, her legacy continues to inspire Black women leaders and social justice movements around the world today.

Join us as we explore her groundbreaking contributions, her role in abolitionist networks, and why her story remains essential to understanding Black excellence and resilience. 🎙️✨

Highlights:

00:57- INTRO.

01:07- PROLOGUE.

01:26- MARY ANN SHADD'S BIRTH.

01:43- HER FATHER ABRAHAM DORAS SHADD.

04:39- HER MOTHER HARRIET SHADD.

04:45- HER FOURTEEN SIBLINGS.

04:59- ELDEST OF THREE.

05:07- THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.

05:30- WEST CHESTER, PA.

06:01- OPENS TWO SCHOOLS.

06:38- OPENS A THIRD SCHOOL.

06:44- THE FUGITIVE SLAVE ACT.

07:04- WINDSOR, CANDAD WEST, NOW KNOWN AS ONTARIO.

07:36- OPENS A SCHOOL IN CANADA WEST.

08:12- A PLEA FOR EMIGRATION, OR NOTES OF CANADA WEST.

08:50- THE PROVINCIAL FREEMAN, WEEKLY NEWSPAPER.

09:00- THE FIRST WOMAN PUBLISHER IN CANADA

09:07- THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN IN THE UNITED STATES TO EDIT AND PUBLISH A NEWSPAPER.

09:16- HER BROTHER ISAAC MANAGES THE NEWSPAPER.

11:36- MARRIES THOMAS F. CARY.

12:05- THE COUPLE HAVE TWO CHILDREN TOGETHER.

12:37- THOMAS PASSES AWAY.

12:51- A VOICE FROM HARPER'S FERRY.

13:10- ONE OF THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN CIVIL WAR UNION ARMY RECRUITER.

13:43- MOVES TO WASHINGTON, DC.

14:02- HER BROTHER ISAAC SERVES IN THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE.

14:42- COLORED WOMEN'S PROGRESSIVE FRANCHISE ASSOCIATION.

14:56- HOWARD UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF LAW.

15:16- EARNS HER LAW DEGREE.

15:21- ONE OF THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES TO BECOME A LAWYER.

15:50- PASSES AWAY.

16:25- ACCOLADES.

17:34- BOTH SHE & HER FATHER RECEIVE A CANADA POSTAL STAMP.

18:04- CONCLUSION.

Subscribe to the podcast.

Links To Additional Resources:

Mary Ann Shadd - Wikipedia

Mary Ann Shadd Cary (U.S. National Park Service)

Mary Ann Shadd Cary, Howard University's First Black Female Law Student | The Dig at Howard University

Cary, Mary Ann Shadd | Women of the Hall

A Voice for Freedom | National Endowment for the Humanities

Mary Ann Shadd Cary at 200: Commemorating Her Life and Legacy - Center for Black Digital Research

Mary Ann Shadd Cary – Black Women's Organizing Archive

The Story of Mary Ann Shadd Cary - Museum of Toronto

Mary Ann Shadd Cary Stuff You Missed in History Class | iHeart

Mary Ann Shadd Cary – Douglass Day

Home - Mary Ann Shadd Cary's Herstory in the Colored Conventions

Mary Ann Shadd | Biography & Facts | Britannica

Mary Ann Shadd Cary Collection | Howard University Research | Digital Howard @ Howard University

Mary Ann Shadd Cary

Overlooked No More: How Mary Ann Shadd Cary Shook Up the Abolitionist Movement - The New York Times

Mary Ann Shadd Cary

Mary Ann Shadd Cary House (U.S. National Park Service)

Mary Ann Shadd Cary, Abolitionist, Publisher & Attorney

Mary Ann Shadd Cary House: This two-story brick rowhouse was the home of journalist and activist Mary Ann Shadd Cary from 1881 to 1885. - This two-story brick rowhouse was the home of journalist and activist Mary Ann Shadd Cary from 1881 to 1885. | DC Historic Sites

Mary Ann Shadd Cary - Women & the American Story

Papers & Collections of Mary Ann Shadd Cary – Black Women's Organizing Archive

"Leave that slavery-cursed republic": Mary Ann Shadd Cary and Black feminist nationalism, 1852–1874: Atlantic Studies: Vol 18 , No 4 - Get Access

Mary Ann Shadd Cary: Lawyer, Educator, Suffragist | In Custodia Legis

How Mary Ann Shadd Cary set the blueprint for abolitionist feminist writing | CBC Arts

Mary Ann Shadd | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Mary Ann Shadd Cary (1823-1893) | BlackPast.org

global.oup.com/academic/product/mary-ann-shadd-cary-9780197609477

Mary Ann Shadd Cary | History | Research Starters | EBSCO Research

Mary Ann Shadd Cary - Facts, Essay & Life

Mary Ann Shadd Cary (1823 – 1893) - Canada.ca

Mary Ann Shadd Cary - Mural Arts

Mary Ann Shadd Cary - Media Noire

Mary Ann Shadd Cary - Feminists for Life

Mary Ann Shadd Cary - Black Women's Religious Activism

Mary Ann Shadd Cary | DPLA

Category: Mary Ann Shadd Cary - EXTENDING NEW NARRATIVES

March 24, 1853: Mary Ann Shadd Cary Published "The Provincial Freeman" - Zinn Education Project

Cary, Mary Ann Shadd (1823–1893) | Encyclopedia.com

Mary Ann Shadd Cary – Heritage Toronto

The incredible Mary Ann Shadd Cary - today's Bada** Black Woman from history. | Celeste Headlee

Mary Ann Shadd Cary, Delaware's Forgotten Daughter - Delaware HumanitiesDelaware Humanities

SHADD, MARY ANN CAMBERTON (Cary) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography

Mary Ann Shadd Cary – Activist, Teacher, & Writer – Legends of America

Mary Ann Shadd - Students | Britannica Kids | Homework Help

Mary Ann Shadd Cary: The Black Press and Protest in the Nineteenth Century: Rhodes, Jane: 9780253213501: Amazon.com: Books

Meet Mary Ann Shadd Cary: The Woman Who Made a Difference in Canadian Publishing

Women's History Month Mary Ann Shadd Cary – The Savannah Tribune

Mary Ann Shadd Cary – First Wave Feminisms

Black History Month - Mary Ann Shadd Cary

Mary Ann Shadd Cary: Anti-Enslavement Activist, Teacher

Mary Ann Shadd Cary at 200 - Canada's History

Mary Ann Shadd Cary from the collection of The Delaware Women's Hall of Fame | Artwork Archive

Mary Ann Shadd Cary Historical Marker

Mary Ann Shadd Cary (Abolitionist) - On This Day

Black History Month Profiles: Mary Ann Shadd Cary (1823 - 1893)

Mary Ann Shadd Facts for Kids

Learn About Mary Ann Shadd Cary #VRABlackHistory – The Tennessee Tribune

Mary Ann Shadd Cary

Mary Ann Shadd Cary: A Pioneer of Black-Owned Media and Entrepreneurship — BEKH

Mary Ann Shadd Cary Biography | Infoplease

Mary Ann Shadd Cary - Women In History Ohio

Mary Ann Shadd Cary: A Fearless Journalist

Collections Spotlight: Mary Ann Shadd Cary | Citizen U Primary Source Nexus

Garden of Praise: Mary Ann Shadd Cary Biography

Mary Ann Shadd Cary | Encyclopedia.com

Portrait of Mary Ann Shadd Cary | The Abolition Seminar

EssayPoster_Otiono.pdf

Who is Mary Ann Shadd Cary? - Institute of the Black World 21st Century

Mary Ann Shadd Cary, Famous Abolitionist and Pioneering Publisher | Amazing Women In History

Mary Ann Shadd | Windsor Public Library

Biographical | Mary Ann Shadd Cary Collection | Howard University

Mary Ann Shadd, Abolitionist, and Educator born - African American Registry

Mary Ann Shadd Cary: Canada's first African American female editor - WomensPost

Mary Ann Shadd Cary: black suffragist, abolitionist, publisher, and lawyer

Mary Ann Shadd Cary by Minha Faheem on Prezi

A historian of Black Canada gives a report card on Ontario's new mandated Black history education

SNN Student Magazine - February 2003 - Mary Ann Shadd Cary: 1823-1893

Women's History Month - Antislavery activist, teacher, lawyer, pioneer newspaperwoman - WakenyaCanada

5 lessons learned from an amazing black woman: Mary Ann Shadd Cary | VoiceOasis

Mary Ann Shadd - To Stay Or To Go?: The 1854 National Emigration Convention

Mary Ann Shadd National Historic Person (1823-1893)

Who was Mary Ann Shadd Cary? - World History Edu

MARY ANN | herstory

Mary Ann Shadd Cary: The Black Press and Protest in the Nineteenth Century, New Edition: Rhodes, Jane: 9780253067951: Amazon.com: Books

Mary Ann Shadd Cary - Home

Who Is Mary Ann Shadd Cary? Google Doodle Celebrates North America's First Black Female Newspaper Editor - Newsweek

Little Known Black History Month: Mary Ann Shadd Cary

Mary Ann Shadd Cary: Trailblazer for Feminism, Freedom | Timeless

Politics & Law | The Canadian Encyclopedia

Introducing Mary Ann Shadd Cary - EXTENDING NEW NARRATIVES

Mary Ann Shadd Cary (1823-1893) Historical Marker

Trailblazer and activist Mary Ann Shadd Cary was a force in Canada's Black history | CBC Radio

PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions

Black excellence celebrated | The Chatham Voice

Black Excellence Awards recognize leadership, community impact | Chatham Daily News

Learning from Mary Ann Shadd Cary (U.S. National Park Service)

Home - Archives of Ontario

Introduction - Mary Ann Shadd Cary's Herstory in the Colored Conventions

The Places of Mary Ann Shadd Cary (U.S. National Park Service)

Amazon.com: Mary Ann Shadd Cary: Essential Writings of a Nineteenth-Century Black Radical Feminist (Oxford New Histories of Philosophy): 9780197609460: Dennie, Nneka D.: Books

Mary Ann Shadd Cary biography

Series: Curiosity Kit: Mary Ann Shadd Cary

Black History Month – City of Toronto

A Historian Of Black Canada Gives A Report Card On Ontario's New Mandated Black History Education

Explore Inspiring Record Stories - Ancestry

Discover the Mary Ann Shadd Cary House: A Lightning Lesson from Teaching with Historic Places (U.S. National Park Service)

Ide Thompson - Center for Black Digital Research

Discover Canada - Canada's History - Canada.ca

Date: April 15, 2026

Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons

Title and Show Info

Episode #51. Evelyn Preer: The First Lady of the Screen and the Power of a Beginning

Featuring: Toni Davis (Host & Storyteller).

Summary

Celebrate the legacy of Evelyn Preer, a trailblazing star of the Silent Film Era who helped shape early Hollywood and African American cinema 🎬✨. In this episode of Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons, we explore her rise as one of the first African American icons on screen, breaking barriers for women in film and redefining representation.

Discover how Preer's powerful performances and dedication to authentic African American storytelling left a lasting cultural impact that still resonates today 🌍. Perfect for fans of film history, Black excellence, and historic figures, this episode honors a true pioneer whose influence continues to inspire generations.

Tune in and celebrate a legend of cinema history 🎧🔥.

Highlights:

00:57- INTRO.

01:16- EVELYN JARVIS' BIRTH.

01:31- DEATH OF HER FATHER, & THE FAMILY MOVES TO CHICAGO.

01:40- HER MOTHER BUILDS A CHURCH.

01:45- SINGING BEFORE CROWDS.

01:53- ELDEST OF THREE.

02:15- THE LADY AMERICAN MINISTRELS.

02:35- MARRIES FRANK PREER.

02:50- OSCAR MICHEAUX.

02:59- THE HOMESTEADER.

03:46- WITHIN OUR GATES.

03:58- TRAVELING FOR WORK.

04:05- ONE OF THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN IN FILM.

04:14- THE LAFAYETTE PLAYERS.

04:38- DIVORCES FRANK PREER.

04:46- THE CHIP WOMAN'S FORTUNE.

05:12- MARRIES EDWARD THOMPSON.

05:35- THE WHITE PRESS.

05:55- MULTIPLE MICHAEUX FILMS.

06:19- LULU BELLE

06:39- SINGS FOR RECORDING ALBUMS.

06:54- RAIN.

07:32- GEORGIA ROSE.

07:44- MORE TALKIE FILMS.

08:00- PRAISED BY THE CRITICS.

08:15- MOTHERHOOD.

08:39- BECOMES ILL.

09:03- PASSES AWAY.

09:10- FUNERAL.

09:34- ACCOLADES.

10:57- CONCLUSION.

Subscribe to the podcast.

Links To Additional Resources:

Evelyn Preer - Wikipedia

Evelyn Preer - IMDb

Evelyn Preer

Evelyn Preer, Singer, and Actress born - African American Registry

Evelyn Preer, first African American 'Lady of the Screen' - New York Amsterdam News

Evelyn Preer (1896-1932) | BlackPast.org

Silent Era : People

Evelyn Preer: Oscar Micheaux's Black Queen of the Silver Screen – Jackson Advocate

Evelyn Preer: The First Lady of Screen – Norman Studios

WBSS Media-Evelyn Preer

Evelyn Preer

Evelyn Preer - Biography - IMDb

Evelyn Preer — Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area

Evelyn Preer – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB

Evelyn Preer (Performer) | Playbill

‎Evelyn Preer Movies and Shows - Apple TV

Evelyn Preer (Actor): Credits, Bio, News & More | Broadway World

Evelyn Preer Biography, Celebrity Facts and Awards - TV Guide

Evelyn Preer and Black female stardom in the silent film era: Feminist Media Studies: Vol 22 , No 5 - Get Access

Evelyn Preer in a scene from The Homesteader - NYPL Digital Collections

Evelyn Preer Movies List | Rotten Tomatoes | Rotten Tomatoes

Evelyn Preer — The Movie Database (TMDB)

Artist: Evelyn Preer | SecondHandSongs

Evelyn Preer – Movies, Bio and Lists on MUBI

Evelyn Preer | American Film Institute

Evelyn Preer: Without Peer - WorkWrite - Medium

Evelyn Preer on Tumblr

Evelyn Preer – Black Cinema Connection

Evelyn Preer - Actors And Actresses Of The Harlem Renaissance

Little-Known Black History Fact: Evelyn Preer

Evelyn Preer, Actress, Blues Singer | Eveleyn Preer (July 16… | Flickr

Evelyn Preer - Wikidata

Evelyn Preer - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia

Evelyn Preer ~ The First Black Star

Evelyn Preer Discography: Vinyl, CDs, & More | Discogs

Evelyn Preer - TV Guide

Evelyn Preer – Norman Studios

Evelyn Preer and Black female stardom in the silent film era: Feminist Media Studies: Vol 22, No 5

https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/the-sad-and-short-life-of-black-actress-evelyn-preer.5464840/

Date: April 1, 2026

Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons

Title and Show Info

Episode #50. Who AM I? The Unfiltered Rise and Timeless Echo of Rudy Ray Moore

Featuring: Toni Davis (Host & Storyteller).

Summary

🎙️ In this episode of Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons, we spotlight Rudy Ray Moore; comedian, filmmaker, and the genius behind Dolemite. Dive into the world of Black cinema, Blaxploitation, and independent filmmaking as we explore how this cultural icon redefined creative ownership and broke Hollywood barriers.

From underground comedy to becoming one of the most influential artists in entertainment history, Rudy Ray Moore's journey is a testament to Black excellence, resilience, and innovation. 🌟

If you're passionate about African American history, film pioneers, and storytelling that shaped generations, this episode is for you. Tune in to discover how one bold visionary became a true Hollywood trailblazer and legacy maker. 🎬🔥

Highlights:

00:57- INTRO.

01:06- RUDY RAY MOORE'S BIRTH.

02:07- LIVED TWO LIVES.

02:29- PRINCE DUMARR.

02:58- US ARMY.

03:13- THE HARLEM HILLBILLY.

03:39- MILITARY DISCHARGE.

03:41- WEST.

03:54- DOOTSIE WILLIAMS.

03:57- R&B RECORDS.

04:10- COMEDY ALBUMS.

04:38- DOLPHINS OF HOLLYWOOD AND RICO.

04:45- DOLEMITE.

07:19- THE HUMAN TORNADO & PETEY WHEATSTRAW.

07:46- HIP HOP.

11:09- NEVER MARRIED.

11:15- NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION.

11:34- PASSES AWAY.

11:47- DOLEMITE IS MY NAME.

12:15- ACCOLADES.

14:16- CONCLUSION.

Subscribe to the podcast.

Links To Additional Resources:

Rudy Ray Moore - Wikipedia

Rudy Ray Moore, 81, a Precursor of Rap, Dies - The New York Times

Who Was Rudy Ray Moore, the Godfather of Rap?

Rudy Ray Moore on Jango Radio | Full Bio, Songs, Videos

Rudy Ray Moore (1927-2008) | BlackPast.org

Rudy Ray Moore And The True Story Of 'Dolemite Is My Name'

Rappers on the Legacy of Rudy Ray Moore, a.k.a. Dolemite | TIME

Moore, Rudy Ray - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

Rudy Ray Moore is His Name – (Travalanche)

Legend of Rudy Ray Moore: How a Cleveland dishwasher became the subject of Eddie Murphy's "Dolemite Is My Name" - cleveland.com

Rudy Ray Moore Discography: Vinyl, CDs, & More | Discogs

Rudy Ray Moore: Live at Wetlands (Video 2000) - IMDb

Rudy Ray Moore — The Movie Database (TMDB)

Rudy Ray Moore's Fort Worth Comeback and Dolemite Revival - Fort Worth Magazine

Eddie Murphy's 'Dolemite Is My Name' True Story - Who Is Rudy Ray Moore

Dolemite is my Name honors the late Rudy Ray Moore – Bib's Corner

'Dolemite is My Name': The True Story Of Rudy Ray Moore

Rudy Ray Moore: A Primer on the Man Behind Dolemite

"Dolemite" Actor, Hip-Hop Muse Rudy Ray Moore Dies At 81

Finding the 1970s L.A. of Rudy Ray Moore's 'Dolemite' - LAmag

Before 'Dolemite,' Rudy Ray Moore was an accomplished early rock and roll singer

Rudy Ray Moore, 'Godfather Of Rap,' Dies : NPR

34 Best Comedies on Netflix for When You Need a Good Laugh - Netflix Tudum

Classic Interview: Legendary Rudy Ray Moore aka Dolemite - Insomniac Magazine

Classic Interview: Legendary Rudy Ray Moore aka Dolemite - Insomniac Magazine

Dolemite - Wikipedia

Rudy Ray Moore - TIDAL

Who was Rudy Ray Moore? 'Dolemite Is My Name' stars on his legacy - Los Angeles Times

Rudy Ray Moore aka Dolemite Interview - Insomniac Magazine

Rudy Ray Moore | Sons Of Butcher Wiki | Fandom

Remembering Rudy Ray Moore - Chicago Reader

Rudy Ray Moore: The Godfather of Rap and the Citizen Kane of Kung Fu Movies – The Advocate

Warrior

Ruth E. Carter Dressed Every Black Film That Raised You, and the Oscars Are Finally Keeping Score - The Hip Hop Democrat

Rudy Ray Moore - Biography - IMDb

Amazon.com: Dolemite Sings : Rudy Ray Moore: Digital Music

Rudy Ray Moore: The Real Story Behind 'Dolemite Is My Name'

Iconic Costume Designs By Ruth E. Carter

Date: March 18, 2026

Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons

Title and Show Info

Episode #49: From Slave to Businesswoman: The Life of Biddy Mason

Featuring: Toni Davis (Host & Storyteller).

Summary

Discover the remarkable story of Bridget "Biddy" Mason, a former slave who became one of the most inspiring African American women pioneers in Los Angeles history. In this episode of Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons, we explore how "Biddy" won her freedom and rose to become a respected nurse, entrepreneur, and generous African American philanthropist.

Her journey is a powerful chapter in African American history and women in history, revealing how courage, faith, and determination helped shape a thriving community. From fighting for freedom to building wealth and giving back, Biddy Mason's life reflects the legacy of African American women leaders and historical changemakers whose impact still inspires us today.

Tune in to hear this unforgettable African American history story and celebrate a true legacy maker. ✨📖🎙️

Top of Form

Highlights:

00:57= INTRO

01:04= PROLOGUE.

01:50= BRIDGET "BIDDY" MASON BIRTH.

03:16= JOHN SMITHSON'S PLANATION.

03:27= MIDWIFERY & MEDICINE.

04:27= SLAVE OWNERS ROBERT & REBECCA SMITH.

04:43= HER CHILREN.

05:33= CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS.

05:41= UTAH TERRITORY.

07:48= CALIFORNIA.

08:36= TEXAS.

09:06= CHARLES OWENS & MANUEL PEPPER.

09:34= LOS ANGELES JUDGE BEJAMIN HAYES.

10:39= COURT RULING.

11:07= MANUMISSION "FREEDOM" PAPERS.

11:26= LAST NAME MASON.

11:57= LOS ANGELES AND ROBERT OWENS.

12:06= NURSE & MIDWIFE.

12:59= JOHN STROTHER GRIFFIN.

13:12= 1ST AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN TO OWN PROPERTY IN LOS ANGELES.

14:29= CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR PIO PICO.

14:37= HER GRANDSON ROBERT CURRY OWENS.

15:10= FIRST AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (FAME) OF LOS ANGELES.

15:43- THE WEALTHIEST BLACK WOMAN IN LOS ANGELES.

15:57- PASSES AWAY.

16:03- BURIED AT EVERGREEN CEMETERY IN BOYLE HEIGHTS, LOS ANGELES, CA.

16:44= ACCOLADES.

17:22= CONCLUSION.

Subscribe to the podcast.

Links To Additional Resources:

Bridget "Biddy" Mason – National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Bridget "Biddy" Mason (U.S. National Park Service)

Bridget "Biddy" Mason (1818-1891) | BlackPast.org

Bridget "Biddy" Mason | National Museum of African American History & Culture.

Biddy Mason - Wikipedia

CAAM | #blackhistory: On January 19, 1856, Bridget Biddy Mason petitions Los Angeles District Court for freedom for herself and her extended family of 13 women and children

About Bridget "Biddy" Mason – Californians for the Advancement of Midwifery

Bridget "Biddy" Mason

Biddy Mason Memorial Park - LA Conservancy

Who is Biddy Mason? – Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation

Biddy Mason - Equality Before the Law: California Black Convention Activism, 1855-65

Women's History Month Spotlight: Biddy Mason, From Enslaved to Real Estate Mogul | ULI Los Angeles

Biddy Mason Speaks Up - Zinn Education Project

A skilled healer, Biddy Mason fought for her freedom, fortune | Department of Education

The Open Hand: A Conversation with the Descendants of Biddy Mason | UC San Francisco

Bridget "Biddy" Mason, Former Slave, Landowner, and Philanthropist - America Comes Alive

Black History Month: Bridget "Biddy" Mason, Mormon Midwife

(1856) Mason v. Smith (The Bridget "Biddy" Mason Case) | BlackPast.org

Bridget "Biddy" Mason – African American Entrepreneur – Legends of America

Bridget "Biddy" Mason (U.S. National Park Service)

Bridget 'Biddy' Mason: LA Pioneer | The Los Angeles Lowdown

Midwifery Today Bridget "Biddy" Mason: A Black Pioneer Midwife of Nineteenth-century Los Angeles The heart and science of birth

Bridget Biddy Mason | Black Women's Religious Activism

Bridget Biddy Mason | Biography, Freedom & Memorials | Study.com

The untold story of Bridget Mason : a freedwoman becomes an entrepreneur | Library of Congress

Biddy Mason | History of American Women

Black History Month Spotlight On: Bridget "Biddy" Mason - Black Infants and Families Los Angeles

Let It Shine: Bridget "Biddy" Mason – Boys and Girls Club of Harlem

Profiles in Black History: Bridget "Biddy" Mason — Oceanside Sanctuary

Biddy Mason, Nurse, and Entrepreneur born - African American Registry

From Enslaved to Entrepreneur: The Biddy Mason Story

Biddy Mason: "The Open Hand is Blessed" – Food Tells a Story

Bridget "Biddy" Mason

Bridget "Biddy" Mason by Klarise Yahya - AOAUSA

The Life of Biddy Mason: From Slave to a Master | by Fareeha Arshad, PhD | Lessons from History | Medium

The remarkable journey of Bridget "Biddy" Mason | The Kid Should See This

From Enslaved Woman to Millionaire: The Biddy Mason Story | HowStuffWorks

1856: Biddy Mason secured freedom from slavery - Mississippi Today

Bridget "Biddy" Mason, the California Trail (U.S. National Park Service)

starthere.pdf

Bridget Biddy Mason - Media Noire

Bridget "Biddy" Mason: Slave, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist | Poking Around with Mary

Honoring the legacy and 200th birthday of slave-turned-entrepreneur Biddy Mason – Biddy Mason Charitable Foundation

Bridget "Biddy" Mason: An Unstoppable Spirit - Page 2 of 2 - BlackDoctor.org - Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Bridget "Biddy" Mason: The First Known Black Female Property Owner in Los Angeles — Unique Coloring

Bridget "Biddy" Mason - Exodus Books

Former Slave Bridget "Biddy" Mason, Los Angeles Real Estate Mogul | Post News Group

Bridget "Biddy" Mason – Illustrated Women in History

Photo of the Day: Bridget "Biddy" Mason Turns 200 – Los Angeles Sentinel

Bridget "Biddy" Mason - Broads You Should Know

Bridget "Biddy" Mason: From Bondage to Wealth - Kentake Page

BRIDGET "BIDDY' MASON: Founder of the First African American Methodist Church FAME - The Neighborhood News Online

Bridgett "Biddy" Mason – History's Women

Bridget "Biddy" Mason: The First Black Real Estate Mogul - APHW

Biddy Mason - From Enslaved to One of Los Angeles' Wealthiest Women - WednesdaysWomen

CRIISC honors black trailblazers in Riverside event

The Bridget "Biddy" Mason Case, 1856 | BlackPast.org

Bridget (Unknown) Mason (1818-1891) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree

Bridget "Biddy" Mason an Important Figure in Real Estate | MetroTex

Former Slave Bridget "Biddy" Mason, Los Angeles Real Estate Mogul – BlackPressUSA

Happy 206th Birthday, Biddy Mason: The woman who dramatically overcame slavery and became a massively wealthy philanthropist | Michael Coard | phillytrib.com

Bridget Biddy Mason

HISTORY: How Bridget "Biddy" Mason Went from "Property" to Property Owner

From Slave To Millionaire Land Owner: The Biddy Mason Story | Celebrity Net Worth

Black History: Bridget "Biddy" Mason – HPS Magazine

Date: March 4, 2026

Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons

Title and Show Info

Episode #48: Between Soil and Stars: The Question That Made Benjamin Banneker

Featuring: Toni Davis (Host & Storyteller).

Summary

Step back in time with Benjamin Banneker, the African American genius who invented a wooden clock that kept accurate time for nearly 50 years ⏳, surveyed Washington DC 🏛️, and published 6 insightful almanacs 📖. Discover how his mastery of timekeeping, astronomical calculation, and celestial observation helped lay the foundation for today's daylight tracking tools 🌞.

On this episode of the Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons podcast 🎧, we explore Banneker's lasting impact on STEM, precision in science, and how his innovations continue to inspire. Learn how one visionary inventor used time, space, and ingenuity to shape communities and the nation.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts and celebrate the brilliance of one of history's most remarkable African American inventors 🖤.

#LegacyMakersPodcast #BenjaminBanneker #BlackInventors #Timekeeping #Astronomy #STEMHistory #InnovationLegacyTop of Form

Highlights:

00:57= INTRO

01:07= BENJAMIN BANNEKER'S BIRTH.

01:27= HIS MOTHER, MARY.

01:32= HIS FATHER, ROBERT.

01:49= QUAKER SCHOOL AND THE FAMILY FARM.

02:15= BUILDS A WOODEN CLOCK.

02:59= ELLICOTT BROTHERS.

03:28= BEGINS TO STUDY ASTRONOMY.

03:40= HIS FIRST CALCULATES OF A SOLAR ECLIPSE.

03:47= HIS SECOND CALCUATION OF A SOLAR ECLIPSE.

04:03= STUDIES THE 17-YEAR CYCLE OF CICADAS.

084:09= PLAYS THE VIOLIN AND FLUTE.

04:31= HANDWRITTEN 48-PAGE MANUSCRIPT OF HIS FIRST ALMANAC.

04:42= PUBLISHES 6 ALMANACS.

05:34= SENDS A 1400-WORD LETTER TO THOMAS JEFFERSON.

06:37= RECEIVES A RESPONSE FROM THOMAS JEFFERSON AND HIS ALMANC IS FORWARDED TO THE FRENCH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.

07:08= HIRED TO ASSIST WITH THE SURVEY OF LAND FOR WASHINGTON DC.

07:42= RECREATES THE BLUEPRINT.

07:53= RETIRES TO HIS LOG CABIN.

08:12= PASSES AWAY ON HIS FARM IN MARYLAND.

08:24= A FIRE DESTROYS MOST OF HIS WORK.

08:42= ACCOLADES.

09:58= CONCLUSION.

Subscribe to the podcast.

Links To Additional Resources:

Benjamin Banneker - Wikipedia

Benjamin Banneker - White House Historical Association

BENJAMIN BANNEKER 1731-1806 - Mathematicians of the African Diaspora

Benjamin Banneker: Biography, Mathematician, Astronomer, Almanacs

Benjamin Banneker | Letter to Jefferson, Clock, Almanac, & Facts | Britannica

Today in History - November 9 | Library of Congress

The Life of Benjamin Banneker: The First African-American Man of Science: Bedini, Silvio A.: 9780938420590: Amazon.com: Books

Home - Who was Benjamin Banneker? - Banneker High School

The Extraordinary Benjamin Banneker – Pieces of History

Africans in America/Part 2/Benjamin Banneker

Benjamin Banneker Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Home | Benjamin Banneker

Benjamin Banneker | Biography, Facts & Accomplishments - Lesson | Study.com

Benjamin Banneker | Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

Benjamin Banneker, the Negro Mathematician and Astronomer on JSTOR

Who Was Benjamin Banneker? – Bad Elf

Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum | Baltimore County Government

Benjamin Banneker — The Humanity Archive

Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806) | BlackPast.org

Benjamin Banneker & Us Book Talk – Johns Hopkins University Museums

Benjamin Banneker | Lemelson

Benjamin Banneker

Black scientist Benjamin Banneker demonstrates Black intelligence to Thomas Jefferson, 1791 | The American Yawp Reader

Benjamin Banneker: Self-taught Astronomer - Sky & Telescope

Benjamin Banneker to Thomas Jefferson, 19 August 1791

Benjamin Banneker | TCLF

Benjamin Banneker (1731 - 1806) - Biography - MacTutor History of Mathematics

Happy Birthday, Benjamin Banneker!

Benjamin Banneker's Biography

https://www.notablebiographies.com/Ba-Be/Banneker-Benjamin.html

Benjamin Banneker | Research Starters | EBSCO Research

Profile: Benjamin Banneker (1731–1806) – Black Art Story

The Dreams of Benjamin Banneker – Maryland Center for History and Culture

Benjamin Banneker: Surveyor, Mathematician, Astronomer

Benjamin Banneker - Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help

Introduction - Benjamin Banneker: A Resource Guide - Research Guides at Library of Congress

Benjamin Banneker's Indelible Contribution: Navigating the Birth of Washington, D.C. - NBMBAA

Benjamin Banneker | National Postal Museum

Benjamin Banneker | Biography, Facts & Accomplishments - Video | Study.com

Benjamin Banneker Preparatory Charter School

Benjamin Banneker: Surveyor, Astronomer, Publisher, Patriot — Turner Publishing

Benjamin Banneker's legacy, contributions to Black history live on in Baltimore County - CBS Baltimore

10 Facts About Benjamin Banneker | History Hit

Benjamin Banneker | Encyclopedia.com

Benjamin Banneker | Black Heroes Foundation

Biography of Benjamin Banneker, Author and Naturalist

Benjamin Banneker - American Revolutionary Geographies Online

Africans in America/Part 2/Benjamin Banneker's Almanac

Benjamin Banneker | MD 250

Benjamin Banneker - Famous Mathematicians

Celebrating the Ongoing Legacy of Benjamin Banneker - Casey Trees

Benjamin Banneker, the First African-American Man of Science - Science ATL

Benjamin Banneker Lesson for Kids: Biography & Facts - Video | Study.com

Benjamin Banneker - Great American Biographies

Benjamin Banneker | American Academy of Arts and Sciences

NAMA Notebook: Benjamin Banneker (U.S. National Park Service)

Benjamin Banneker | Hamilton Education Program

The Amazing Life of Benjamin Banneker - Bob Welbaum - Author

Benjamin Banneker - STEMMCHEQ

Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806) - Woodson Center

Banneker: An Immortal Legacy - Adler Planetarium

Books by Benjamin Banneker (Author of Benjamin Banneker, the Negro Mathematician and Astronomer)

CKBios_G5_BenjaminBanneker_W1.pdf

resourcesforhistoryteachers / Benjamin Banneker, African American Author, Surveyor and Scientist

Benjamin Banneker's Top 10 Achievements: A Legacy of Innovation, Precision & Purpose - Benjamin Banneker Watches and Clocks

Benjamin Banneker | CCBC Invisible History

Benjamin Banneker – bbamath

Benjamin Banneker, the Black Mathematician Who May Have Saved Washington, D.C.

Benjamin Banneker Biography | Infoplease

Benjamin Banneker MS

Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806): Astronomer, Surveyor, Scientist, Writer - America Comes Alive

Benjamin Banneker: Surveyor, City Planner, Astronomer | In Custodia Legis

Three Things to Know About Benjamin Banneker's Pioneering Career

Garden of Praise: Benjamin Banneker Biography

Who Was Benjamin Banneker? | Benjamin Banneker

Benjamin Banneker - I For Color

Benjamin Banneker | Acton Institute

From Slavery to Science: The Inspiring Journey of Benjamin Banneker — Correy Overton

Celebrate Black History Month with Benjamin Banneker – America's First Black Man of Science | Baltimore County Government

Benjamin Banneker OTSOG - On The Shoulders of Giants

Benjamin Banneker (Mathematician) - On This Day

Benjamin Banneker: Pioneering 18th-Century Black Mathematician and Scientist

Benjamin Banneker - Students | Britannica Kids | Homework Help

Benjamin Banneker: Astronomer, surveyor, agriculturalist | Travel | bayjournal.com

Benjamin Banneker - New World Encyclopedia

Benjamin Banneker

Today in History: Mathematician & Astronomer Benjamin Banneker

Benjamin Banneker - KOLUMN Magazine

Benjamin Banneker | Life, Quotes & Contributions | Study.com

Benjamin Banneker – Heritages Art

Black Farmer, Inventor and Scientist: Who Was Benjamin Banneker? | Antiques, Collectibles & Historical Stories | lancasterfarming.com

A Very Brief Biography Of Benjamin Banneker | ipl.org

The Work and Impact of Benjamin Banneker | Encyclopedia.com

Benjamin Banneker: Biography, Mathematician, Astronomer, Almanacs

Benjamin Banneker | Historica Wiki | Fandom

Benjamin Banneker | The Black Names Project

Watch Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum Videos | PBS KIDS

Just a moment...

Benjamin Banneker | Who2

Black History Month Spotlight: Benjamin Banneker

Benjamin Banneker | Bartleby

Benjamin Banneker Biography - Life of American Mathematician

https://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/B/Banneker.html

Benjamin Banneker | IT

Who Was Benjamin Banneker? | bluejayblog

Black Luminaries of Georgetown | The Georgetowner ??

Benjamin Banneker: the Astronomer Who Surveyed the U.S. Capital

Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806) | WikiTree FREE Family Tree

A Brief History of the Amazing Accomplishments of Benjamin Banneker - Historyplex

Benjamin Banneker (Author of Benjamin Banneker, the Negro Mathematician and Astronomer)

Benjamin Banneker – Originalpeople.org

Benjamin Banneker – Mathematician, Scientist, and Early STEM Pioneer – Black History Online

Benjamin Banneker – Impossible Genius

Benjamin Banneker - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Benjamin Banneker Early African American Scientist and Inventor | The Parkside Journal

Geometry.Net - Scientists: Banneker Benjamin

Benjamin Banneker / SamePassage

Benjamin Banneker - The Pioneering African-American

Benjamin Banneker - Home

Home - Supreme Court of the United States

Letter, Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Banneker expressing his belief that blacks possess talents equal to those of "other colours of men," 30 August 1791. | Library of Congress

Date: February 18, 2026

Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons

Title and Show Info

Episode #47: Who Am I? The Life and Inventions of Miriam Elizabeth Benjamin

Featuring: Toni Davis (Host & Storyteller).

Summary

Discover the remarkable story of Miriam Elizabeth Benjamin, an often-overlooked African American woman inventor whose groundbreaking creation, the Gong and Signal Chair for Hotels, revolutionized customer service in the late 19th century. Long before push buttons and smart technology became standard, Miriam Elizabeth Benjamin imagined a better way for hotel guests to signal for assistance, earning a U.S. patent and a place in American innovation history.

In this episode of Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons, we explore her life, her inventive brilliance, and why her contributions still matter today. This inspiring story highlights Black women in STEM, early hotel technology, and the lasting impact of African American inventors on everyday life. 🎧

Tune in to learn how forgotten innovators shaped the world we live in and why their legacies deserve recognition. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. 🔔✨

Highlights:

00:57= INTRO

01:07= MIRIAM ELIZABETH BENJAMIN'S BIRTH.

01:31= HIS MOTHER, ELIZA JANE HOPKINS BENJAMIN.

01:49= HIS FATHER, FRANCIS BENJAMIN.

02:27= OLDEST OF FIVE SIBLINGS.

03:15= MOVES TO BOSTON AT AGE 12.

03:43= ATTENDS THE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

04:05= GRADUATES FROM THE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL.

04:10= WORKS AS SECOND ASSISTANT TEACHER IN FLORIDA.

04:55= MOVES TO WASHINGTON, DC AND CONTINUES TO WORK AS A TEACHER.

05:48= DESIGNS HER INVENTION.

08:31= FILES HER INVENTION PATENT APPLICATION.

08:38= PATENTS HER GONG AND SIGNAL CHAIR FOR HOTELS INVENTION.

08:54= 2ND AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN GRANTED A US PATENT.

09:34= RECEIVES FAME FOR HER INVENTION.

09:59= FUTURE CALL BUTTON ON AIRPLANES

10:17= TEACHER. GOVERNMENT CLERK. MED STUDENT. LAW STUDENT.

10:59= COTTON STATES AND INTERNATIONAL EXPOSITION.

11:18= BOOKER T. WASHINGTON'S ATLANTA COMPROMISE SPEECH.

11:42= THE WOMEN'S ERA MAGAZINE.

11:51= THE BOSTON ELITE QUICKSTEP.

12:17= SOLICITOR OF PATENTS.

12:25= BROTHER, LYDE WILSON BENJAMIN PATENTS HIS INVENTION.

12:45= BROTHER, EDGAR FOUNDS THE BENJAMIN HEALTHCARE CENTER.

13:06= THE AMERICAN BUGLE CALL FOR THEODORE ROOSEVELT.

13:18= HER SOLE FOR FOOTWEAR INVENTION.

14:26= PASSES AWAY IN BOSTON.

15:02= CONCLUSION.

Subscribe to the podcast.

Links To Additional Resources:

Miriam Benjamin - Wikipedia

Miriam E. Benjamin (1861-1947) | BlackPast.org

Miriam Benjamin, Inventor, and Teacher born - African American Registry

Celebrating the Accomplished Life of Miriam Benjamin - Golan Christie Taglia

Miriam Benjamin Facts for Kids

Biography of Miriam Benjamin, Inventor of Signal Chair

Miriam E. Benjamin | 28 Days of Black Excellence - VocalEssence

Miriam Benjamin (1861-1947) | Video – The Kulture Kidz

Miriam E. Benjamin: African American Inventor

African American Innovators: Miriam Elizabeth Benjamin | Life at Leggett

Miriam Benjamin. Many people aren't familiar with who… | by EveryDayBlackHistory | Medium

Miriam E. Benjamin, Second Black Woman with Patent (gong & signal chair Invention) – MRS. T'S CORNER

Women

Miriam Benjamin

Miriam Elizabeth Benjamin / SamePassage

Miriam Benjamin - The Life and Inventions of Miriam Benjamin

Miriam E. Benjamin by Megan Uzomba on Prezi

Pioneering The Future: Miriam E. Benjamin and Her Revolutionary Gong and Signal Chair

Miriam Benjamin | Nicole Evelina – USA Today Bestselling Author

Miriam Benjamin - Gong and Signal Chair

✊🏾 Did you know? In 1888, Miriam E. Benjamin, a Black woman inventor, created the Gong and Signal Chair — an innovation that became the early model for the airline stewardess call button. ✈️ Her invention shows how Black brilliance has shaped even the everyday systems we still use today. 💡 #BlackHistory #BlackInventors #Innovation #MiriamBenjamin #TheBlackFeelings

The Gong and Signal Chair is Patented by a Black Woman - African American Registry

Miriam Elizabeth Benjamin – A Woman of Many Talents | Urban Intellectuals

A Pioneering Black Woman Patent Attorney

Miriam Benjamin - Wikiwand

Benjamin, Miriam (Inventor And Educator) – UrbanAreas.net

About: Miriam Benjamin

Little Known Black History Fact: Miriam Benjamin

File:Miriam Elizabeth Benjamin, inventor, Oct. 2021.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Miriam Benjamin: Inventor of the Gong and Signal Chair | Nyongesa Sande

Date: February 4, 2026

Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons

Title and Show Info

Episode #46: No Blackface Required: Confessions of the First Uncle Tom

Featuring: Toni Davis (Host & Storyteller).

Summary

In this episode of Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons, we spotlight Sam Lucas, a groundbreaking figure in African American history and Black theater history. Sam Lucas made history as the first African American actor to portray Uncle Tom on both the American stage and early film, challenging stereotypes and reshaping Black representation in media during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Often overlooked in traditional narratives, Sam Lucas was a pioneer of Black performance history, navigating minstrel shows, Reconstruction-era culture, and Jim Crow–era entertainment with resilience and artistic purpose. His work helped lay the foundation for future Black actors in theater and film, proving that storytelling could be both resistance and legacy.

🎧 Listen to this powerful episode wherever you get your podcasts and explore how Sam Lucas transformed American performing arts, as well as why his legacy still matters today.

✨ Because this isn't just history. It's legacy.

Highlights:

00:57= INTRO

01:34= SAM LUCAS' BIRTH.

02:22= ENLISTS IN THE UNION ARMY.

03:29= HONORABLY DISCHARGED.

03:52= LEW JOHNSON'S PLANTATION MINSTRELS.

04:16= CALLENDER'S GEORGIA MINSTRELS.

05:12= AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSICAL THEATER.

06:09= SINGS MY GRANDFATHER'S CLOCK.

06:52= SPRAGUE'S GEORGIA MINSTRELS IN HAVANA, CUBA.

07:48= UNCLE TOM'S CABIN THE STAGE PLAY.

08:51= VAUDEVILLE.

09:417= MR. SAM LUCAS AND QUARTET.

09:43= MARRIES ALICE COLE.

09:52= MARRIES CAROLINE MELVIN.

10:02= THE COUPLE WELCOME THEIR DAUGHTER, MARIE LUCAS.

10:18= DIVORCES CAROLINE MELVIN.

10:22= WORKS SIDE BY SIDE WITH DAUGHTER, MARIE.

10:39= SAM T. JACK'S THE CREOLE SHOW.

10:59= STARS IN A TRIP TO COONTOWN.

11:27= BILLED AS THE "FAVORITE COLORED COMEDIAN".

11:51= MARRIES ELIZA BROOKS.

11:57= STARS IN RUFUS RASTUS.

12:06=STARS IN THE SHOO-FLY REGIMENT.

12:34= THE "GRAND OLD MAN OF THE NEGRO STAGE".

13:14= STARS IN "THE RED MOON."

13:57= STARS IN THE UNFINISHED FILM, "LIME KILN CLUB FIELD DAY".

14:27= STARS IN THE US FEATURE-LENGTH FILM, "UNCLE TOM'S CABIN".

15:17= PASSES AWAY.

15:28= FUNERAL HELD AT MOTHER AME ZION CHURCH.

15:47= BURED AT CYPRESS HILLS NATIONAL CEMETERY IN BROOKLYN, NY.

16:13= ACCOLADES.

17:35= CONCLUSION.

Subscribe to the podcast.

Links To Additional Resources:

Sam Lucas - Wikipedia

Sam Lucas, Stage Actor born - African American Registry

Sam Lucas (1840-1915) | BlackPast.org

Sam Lucas

Sam Lucas' Funeral and the Approaching War | Doughboy Foundation (may have been born a slave?)

Sam Lucas - Discography of American Historical Recordings

Sam Lucas — The Movie Database (TMDB)

Sam Lucas / SamePassage

Sam Lucas: Grand Old Man – (Travalanche)

Object Spotlight: Advertisement for Uncle Tom's Cabin

Sam Lucas

Lot - (MUSIC.) LUCAS, SAM. Sam Lucas, the King of Colored Comedians.

Sam Lucas Dies at Age 75 - Newspapers.com™

Samuel Lucas (1848-1916) - Find a Grave Memorial

Stories of the United States Colored Troops | Facebook

Sam Lucas - Biography - IMDb

What's the Story Behind the Grandfather Clock Name?

My Grandfather's Clock - Wikipedia

Grandfather Clock Song and Lyrics and History of the Grandfather Clock

Comedy | Oxford African American Studies Center

Bland, James A. (1854-1911) & Butler, Samuel. "Slavery Chains Am Broke – Schubertiade Music and Arts

Lew Johnson - Wikipedia

African American Sheet Music

Charles Callender - Wikipedia

Sam T. Jack - Wikipedia

Creole Show - Breaking Stereotypes | International Magazine Kreol

Date: January 21, 2026

Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons

Title and Show Info

Episode #45: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: The Dream That Echoed Beyond Time

Featuring: Toni Davis (Host & Storyteller).

Summary

What does it mean to dream? For Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it meant imagining a world where justice rolled like waters and equality reigned like a mighty stream. But behind the powerful speeches and marches lies a man of bold faith, strategic brilliance, and unyielding courage—a man who dared to stand against the tide of hate with love.

In this episode, we dive into the life of Dr. King like never before, exploring the struggles he faced, the dreams that kept him going, and the seismic impact he made on the world. Was he a revolutionary, a peacemaker, or something in between? We'll trace his rise from a young preacher with a calling to the leader of a movement that changed the fabric of America forever.

Get ready for a mix of inspiration and intrigue as we uncover lesser-known stories about Dr. King: his moments of doubt, his visionary strategies, and how he balanced the weight of a movement on his shoulders. We'll also take a fresh look at the "I Have a Dream" speech—how it almost didn't happen and why it still resonates today.

Tune in for a thrilling celebration of a man who dreamed big, fought harder, and left us with a blueprint for a better tomorrow. It's Dr. King as you've never seen him before—real, raw, and deeply human.

Highlights:

00:58= INTRO

01:06= MICHAEL KING JR'S BIRTH.

01:38= HIS FATHER, MICHAEL KING SR.

01:54= HIS MOTHER, ALBERTA WILLIAMS.

04:20= MICHAEL KING SR CHANGES HIS NAME TO MARTIN LUTHER KING, SR & HIS SON'S NAME TO MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

06:44= MARTIN ATTENDS THE ATLANTA UNIVERSITY'S LABORATORY SCHOOL.

07:02= THE YOUNGEST ASSISTANT MANAGER AT THE ATLANTA JOURNAL.

07:11= ATTENDS BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL.

07:34= JOINS THE DEBATE TEAM.

08:43= ATTENDS MOREHOUSE COLLEGE.

10:01= GRADUATES WITH A BACHELOR OF ARTS IN SOCIOLOGY FROM MOREHOUSE COLLEGE.

11:09= ATTENDS CROZER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY.

12:50= GRADUATES WITH A BACHELOR OF DIVINITY FROM CROZER AND BEGINS HIS DOCTORAL STUDIES AT BOSTON UNIVERSITY .

13:41= MEETS CORETTA SCOTT.

14:49= THE COUPLE MARRY.

15:21= THEY HAVE FOUR CHILDREN.

16:00= THE PULPIT OF DEXTER AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH IN MONTGOMERY, AL.

16:25= CLAUDETTE COLVIN

16:54= PHD FROM BOSTON UNIVERSITY.

17:03= ROSA PARKS REFUSES TO GIVE UP HER SEAT ON A CITY BUS.

17:17= THE MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT IS BORN.

18:19= NOVEMBER 1956 THE SUPREME COURT RULES AGAINST SEGREGATION ON PUBLIC BUSES.

18:46= MARTIN FOUNDS THE SCLC.

19:16= MARTIN RETURNS TO ATLANTA AND CO-PASTOR'S THE EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH WITH HIS FATHER.

19:54= ARRESTED DURING AN ATLANTA STUDENT MOVEMENT SIT-IN AT RICH'S DEPARTMENT STORE.

20:31=THE BIRMINGHAM CAMPAIGN.

21:25= THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON DC AND HIS "I HAVE A DREAM" SPEECH.

22:54= THE MARCH MAKES SPECIFIC DEMANDS.

23:35= THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964.

24:20= MARTIN RECEIVES THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE.

26:20= HE DENOUNCES THE VIETNAM WAR.

27:10= HIS POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN.

27:39= SUPPORTS THE MEMPHIS SANITATION WORKER'S STRIKE.

27:58= DELIVERS HIS "I'VE BEEN TO THE MOUNTAINTOP" SPEECH

28:15= MARTIN IS SHOT AT THE LORRAINE MOTEL IN MEMPHIS, TN.

28:59= RUSHED TO ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL FOR EMERGENCY SURGERY.

29:08= DIES AT ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL.

29:40= RIOTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

30:15= SENATOR ROBERT F. KENNEDY GIVES HIS SPEECH, "ON THE MINDLESS MENACE OF VIOLENCE".

30:25= THE MEMPHIS SANITATION WORKER'S STRIKE IS SETTLED.

30:43= THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT & THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT.

30:55= THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1968.

31:29= 7 ½ HOUR FUNERAL FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

35:20= LAID TO REST IN SOUTH-VIEW CEMENTERY IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

36:02= JAMES EARL RAY IS CAPTURED.

36:24= JAMES EAR RAY RECANTS HIS CONFESSION.

36:40= JAMES EARL RAY IS SENTENCED.

36:53= JAMES EARL RAY DIES.

37:00= MARTIN'S REMAINS ARE MOVED TO THE CENTER FOR NONVIOLENT SOCIAL CHANGE IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA.

37:48= CORETTA SCOTT KING JOINS HIM UPON HER DEATH.

37:55= CONCLUSION.

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Links To Additional Resources:

Martin Luther King Jr. – Biography - NobelPrize.org

Martin Luther King, Jr. | Biography, Speeches, Facts, & Assassination | Britannica

Martin Luther King, Jr. | About Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Introduction | The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute

Martin Luther King Jr. ‑ Biography, Quotes & Legacy | HISTORY

Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2025 in the United States

Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service | AmeriCorps

Major King Events Chronology: 1929-1968 | The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute

Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service | AmeriCorps

Remarks on Signing the King Holiday and Service Act of 1994 | The American Presidency Project

The King Center | The Center for Nonviolent Social Change

N.H.'s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Didn't Happen Without A Fight | New Hampshire Public Radio

List of African-American holidays - Wikipedia

Timeline - Martin Luther King, Jr. - Research Guides at Louisiana State University

Boston University | The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute

About | Annual Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

About Dr. King | Martin Luther King Center

Martin Luther King, Jr. | Timeline | Britannica

Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Montgomery Bus Boycott, civil rights movement, segregation, nonviolent protest

On Apr 12, 1963: Bull Connor Orders Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Dozens More Civil Rights Marchers Violently Arrested in Birmingham

Birmingham Campaign | The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute

Bull Connor, Martin Luther King Jr. and the Labor Movement | AFL-CIO

Connor, Theophilus Eugene "Bull" | The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute

Veterans of the Civil Rights Movement -- History & Timeline, 1963 (Jan-June)

Letter from a Birmingham Jail [King, Jr.]

Martin Luther King Jr. is jailed in Birmingham | April 12, 1963 | HISTORY

Birmingham Campaign of 1963 - Encyclopedia of Alabama

Bending Toward Justice: April 1963 - Alabama News Center

The Big Six Organizers Of The March On Washington: Where Are They Now? | HuffPost Voices

The 'Big Six' Organizers of the Civil Rights Movement

Important Activist and Leaders – African American Civil Rights Movement

The Big Six Of The Civil Rights Movement - WorldAtlas

The 1963 March on Washington | NAACP

March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom | The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute

Transcript of Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech : NPR

March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom

The March on Washington: Photos From an Epic Civil Rights Event

March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (U.S. National Park Service)

50th Anniversary of March on Washington & "I Have a Dream" Speech - U.S. Embassy in The Czech Republic

March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom August 28, 1963, MLK - Wesleyan University

Martin Luther King Jr. – Facts - NobelPrize.org

Nobel Peace Prize | The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute

Today in History: Dr. Martin Luther King Awarded Nobel Peace Prize 60 Years Ago | Defender Services Office - Training Division

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Nobel Prize - Civil Rights Digital Library

1964: Martin Luther King Jr. received Nobel Peace Prize - Mississippi Today

National Civil Rights Museum | At the Lorraine Motel

The Famous Lorraine Motel

Tennessee: The Lorraine Motel (U.S. National Park Service)

National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel – US Civil Rights Trail

The Lorraine Motel and Martin Luther King | The New Yorker

Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. | The Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute

King's Assassination: A Timeline | American Experience | Official Site | PBS