The Unhidden Minute

Andrew Young, born in 1932, is a distinguished Black American civil rights leader, politician, and diplomat. He emerged as a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement, working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a key strategist and organizer.

Young played a crucial role in the passage of civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. He also served as Executive Director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

In addition to his civil rights work, Young pursued a career in politics, serving as a congressman from Georgia and later as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations under President Jimmy Carter. He played a significant role in shaping U.S. foreign policy during his tenure.

Andrew Young's lifelong dedication to social justice and diplomacy has made him a revered figure in American history, admired for his commitment to equality and peace.

Learn more through the National Park Service

https://www.nps.gov/features/malu/feat0002/wof/andrew_young.htm

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom was a historic event that took place on August 28, 1963, in Washington, D.C. Organized by civil rights and labor leaders, including A. Philip Randolph and Bayard Rustin, the march aimed to advocate for civil and economic rights for Black Americans.

Timed to occur on the eight-year anniversary of the murder of Emmett Till, the march attracted approximately 250,000 participants from across the United States, making it one of the largest gatherings for civil rights in American history. It culminated with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech delivered from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

The march called for an end to racial segregation and discrimination, protection of voting rights, and economic justice, including fair employment practices and a minimum wage increase. It played a crucial role in pushing for the passage of civil rights legislation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Learn more through the National Park Service

https://www.nps.gov/articles/march-on-washington.htm

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute

Become a paid subscriber to the Unhidden Minute Podcast for one year and receive a free copy The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors 10th Anniversary Edition by James Edward Mills.

Dorothy Irene. Height (1912–2010) was an outspoken Black American civil rights and women's rights activist of 1960s. As president of the National Council of Negro Women for over 40 years, Height was a leading voice for gender and racial equality.

Height worked alongside prominent civil rights leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. and John Lewis, advocating for voting rights, desegregation, and economic justice. She played a crucial role in organizing the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

Height also focused on issues affecting Black American women, including healthcare, education, and economic empowerment. She was instrumental in establishing programs to support Black families and communities.

Height's tireless efforts earned her numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Height was inducted into the Democracy Hall of Fame International. She also received an estimated 24 honorary degrees. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of activists to fight for equality and justice for all.

Learn more through the National Park Service

https://www.nps.gov/mamc/learn/historyculture/dorothy-irene-height.htm

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute

Bayard Rustin (1912–1987) was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, known for his commitment to nonviolent protest and organizational skills. He was a close advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and played a central role in organizing the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

Despite his significant contributions, Rustin faced discrimination within the movement due to his homosexuality, which led to his marginalization by some civil rights leaders. Nevertheless, he continued his activism, advocating for civil rights, labor rights, and LGBTQ+ rights throughout his life.

Rustin's strategic genius and dedication to nonviolent resistance left a lasting impact on the Civil Rights Movement and influenced subsequent movements for social justice. Even though his contributions were ignored or even erased for decades, He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013, recognizing his lifelong commitment to equality and human rights.

Learn more through the National Park Service

https://www.nps.gov/articles/the-places-of-bayard-rustin.htm

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute

Become a paid subscriber to the Unhidden Minute Podcast for one year and receive a free copy The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors 10th Anniversary Edition by James Edward Mills.

A. Philip Randolph (1889–1979) was a prominent Black American labor leader and civil rights activist who played a pivotal role in advancing racial equality and workers' rights in the United States. Born in Florida, Randolph became a vocal advocate for the rights of Black workers, founding the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in 1925, the first predominantly Black labor union.

Randolph was a key figure in organizing the March on Washington Movement during World War II, which pressured President Franklin D. Roosevelt to desegregate defense manufacturing facilities and the military. His efforts culminated in Executive Order 8802, prohibiting racial discrimination in the defense industry.

Randolph continued to champion civil rights throughout his life, leading the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

A. Philip Randolph's legacy as a tireless advocate for social and economic justice Continues to inspire the ongoing struggle for equality.

Learn more through the National Park Service

https://www.nps.gov/pull/index.htm

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute

Daisy Bates (1914–1999) was a courageous Black American civil rights activist and journalist who played a pivotal role in the struggle for racial equality in the United States. As a key figure in the Little Rock Crisis of 1957, Bates, along with her husband L.C. Bates, provided crucial support to the "Little Rock Nine," the group of Black students who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Bates served as a mentor and advocate for the students, offering them guidance and protection in the face of violent opposition and racial animosity. She also played a vital role in documenting and publicizing the events surrounding the integration of Central High School, drawing national attention to the cause of civil rights.

Bates' unwavering commitment to equality and justice earned her recognition and accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her legacy as a fearless advocate for social change continues to inspire generations of activists fighting for racial justice and equality.

Learn more through the National Park Service

https://www.nps.gov/chsc/index.htm

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute

Become a paid subscriber to the Unhidden Minute Podcast for one year and receive a free copy The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors 10th Anniversary Edition by James Edward Mills.

At the height of the Civil Rights Movement a series of horrific events were perpetrated against Black Americans across the South. The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing, a devastating act of racial violence, occurred on September 15, 1963, in Birmingham, Alabama. A bomb planted by white supremacists exploded beneath the church steps, killing four young Black American girls attending Sunday school: Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Carol Denise McNair.

The bombing shocked the nation and galvanized support for the Civil Rights Movement. It underscored the brutality of racial hatred and the resistance to desegregation in the South. Despite initial obstacles, justice was eventually served, with four Ku Klux Klan members convicted for their roles in the bombing, although some faced delayed justice.

The 16th Street Baptist Church bombing stands as a tragic reminder of the sacrifices made in the fight for racial equality and justice. It continues to inspire efforts to combat racism and promote inclusivity in American society.

Learn more through the National Park Service

https://www.nps.gov/articles/16thstreetbaptist.htm

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute

Become a paid subscriber to the Unhidden Minute Podcast for one year and receive a free copy The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors 10th Anniversary Edition by James Edward Mills.

Medgar Evers (1925–1963) was a civil rights activist from Mississippi who played a significant role in the fight against racial segregation and discrimination. He served as the first field secretary for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the NAACP in Mississippi and worked tirelessly to organize voter registration drives and boycotts to combat racial injustice.

Evers faced constant threats and harassment due to his activism, and tragically, he was assassinated outside his home in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1963 by a white supremacist. His death galvanized the civil rights movement and sparked nationwide outrage, contributing to the momentum that led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Medgar Evers' legacy continues to inspire generations of activists in the ongoing struggle for racial equality and justice.

As a combat veteran of World War II and the recipient of two Bronze Stars Evers buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

Learn more through the National Park Service

https://www.nps.gov/memy/index.htm

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute

The Little Rock Nine were a group of Black American students who bravely enrolled in Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Their enrollment came after the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision by the Supreme Court, which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Led by Arkansas civil rights activists Daisy Bates and supported by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the NAACP, the nine students faced violent opposition and resistance from segregationist forces, including mobs and state officials. Arkansas Governor Orval Faubus infamously deployed the National Guard to prevent the students from entering the school.

Despite the hostility and threats to their safety, the Little Rock Nine persevered, and with the intervention of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who federalized the Arkansas National Guard and ordered them to protect the students, they were able to enter the school on September 25, 1957.

The courage and determination of the Little Rock Nine paved the way for the desegregation of public schools across the country.

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute

Become a paid subscriber to the Unhidden Minute Podcast for one year and receive a free copy The Adventure Gap: Changing the Face of the Outdoors 10th Anniversary Edition by James Edward Mills.

Ruby Bridges, born in 1954, was a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement, known for her courage and resilience as the first Black American child to desegregate an all-white elementary school in the South. In 1960, at the age of six, Bridges became the center of national attention when she integrated William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Though the Brown V. Board of Education Supreme Court Case had put an end to legal segregation, many schools and yet to be integrated. Despite facing daily harassment, threats, and protests from white segregationists, Bridges continued to attend school escorted by federal marshals. Her bravery and perseverance inspired people across the nation and helped to challenge segregation in public education.

Bridges' courageous actions paved the way for greater opportunities for Black children and marked a significant victory in the fight against racial discrimination. Her story remains an enduring symbol of courage and determination in the face of adversity, reminding us of the power of individuals to effect positive change.

Learn more through the National Park Service

https://www.nps.gov/people/rubybridges.htm

The Joy Trip Project celebrates the enduring legacy of Black American History. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of Black American historical figures, events and cultural contributions.

#unhiddenblackhistory #NationalParkService #yourparkstory #NationalGeographic #unhiddenminute