2 | Jack L. Cooper

The podcast episode explores the pioneering journey of Jack L. Cooper, who transformed black radio with the debut of the All Negro Hour on Chicago's WSBC in 1929. Despite growing up in a racially tense Memphis and facing numerous challenges, Cooper's determination led him from a vaudeville performer to a radio trailblazer. His work provided a platform for African American voices in an era dominated by racial segregation. Cooper's legacy, marked by his entrepreneurial spirit and cultural impact, paved the way for future generations of black radio personalities and highlighted the importance of creating opportunities amidst adversity.

• In 1929, amidst the Great Depression and expanding Jim Crow laws, Jack L. Cooper launched the All Negro Hour on WSBC, marking the official birth of black radio.
• Jack L. Cooper is celebrated not only as a pioneer but as someone who laid the foundational groundwork for black radio, influencing future generations.
• The podcast series "Amplify Color," hosted by Ryan Cameron, aims to explore the history of black radio and its trailblazers.

"Jack L. Cooper wasn't just a trailblazer or a pioneer. He didn't just pave the way. He chopped down the trees, he evened out the earth's surface. He laid down the gravel and applied the asphalt. And the rest is history."

• This quote highlights Jack L. Cooper's significant role in establishing black radio, emphasizing his foundational contributions that went beyond mere pioneering.

• Jack L. Cooper was born in 1888 in a racially tense Memphis, where black-owned businesses thrived amid white hostility.
• He grew up in a large family with nine siblings, raised by a single mother in a city marked by racial violence and the legacy of the Confederacy.
• The Memphis riots of 1866 exemplified the racial tensions, with significant violence against African Americans and no arrests made.

"Race relations in Memphis were foul at best, and opportunity was minimal for the African American community."

• This quote underscores the difficult environment in Memphis during Cooper's early life, where racial tensions severely limited opportunities for African Americans.

• At age 10, Jack L. Cooper moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, to help support his family, taking on various odd jobs.
• His early work experiences included roles as a bellboy, newsboy, and working in stables, which were formative in his development.
• Despite the challenges, these experiences were stepping stones to his later career in entertainment.

"Somehow, Jack made a life for himself over 480 miles away from Memphis. To some, it may have seemed like an overworked childhood, but for Jack L. Cooper, these youthful experiences were merely stepping stones to a fruitful career."

• This quote reflects Cooper's resilience and the importance of his early work experiences in shaping his future career.

• Jack L. Cooper initially pursued boxing, winning the Ohio Negro Boxing Championship in the welterweight division in the late 1910s.
• He realized the physical toll of boxing and sought a safer way to entertain, leading to his transition to the vaudeville circuit.
• Vaudeville was a vibrant entertainment hub, offering diverse performances and a platform for Cooper to engage with audiences.

"He wanted to keep entertaining, keep getting up on a stage in front of a crowd. And he found that next stage on the vaudeville circuit."

• This quote illustrates Cooper's desire to continue entertaining in a safer manner, leading him to the vaudeville circuit as a new stage for his talents.

• Jack L. Cooper was a performer in a vaudeville troupe for African American performers, envisioning a successful future in Memphis.
• His role included dancing and comedy, connecting with audiences through black expression without resorting to minstrelsy.
• Cooper developed a signature comedic sketch that resonated with black vaudeville audiences.

"Jack's role in the troupe was as a dancer and comic, hyping up all black crowds from Virginia to Washington and back again."

• Jack's performances were well-received, allowing him to connect with audiences through shared cultural expression.

• Estelle Mansfield, known as Madame Lamar, was a significant influence on Jack's career, supporting his comedic endeavors.
• Together, they created comedy sketches that became popular with audiences.

"With Estelle's support and consistent comedy ideas that the two bounced back and forth, Jack took to his new profession like a natural."

• The collaboration with Estelle was pivotal in Jack's growth as a performer and writer.

• Jack expanded his career by managing two TOBA theaters and co-founding a music company with Estelle.
• He transitioned into writing, contributing to black newspapers and theater criticism.

"He was so good at what he did, he quickly became a full time writer with the Toba. It was at this point in Jack L. Cooper's career that he transformed into a literal jack of all trades."

• Jack's versatility allowed him to excel in multiple roles within the entertainment industry.

• Jack relocated to Chicago, a hub of vibrant black culture, particularly in the Bronzeville area.
• Bronzeville was a cultural hotspot, hosting elite black entertainers and fostering a rich artistic community.

"Chicago was busting at the seams with vibrant black culture. In the 1920s, Chicago's south side, known as Bronzeville, stretched from the intersections of 35th and State street and 47th street and South Parkway Boulevard."

• Chicago's thriving black community provided Jack with new opportunities to influence and contribute to black culture.

• Jack wrote for the Chicago Defender, a leading black newspaper, where he had the freedom to address racial disparities and advocate for African American rights.
• His column, "Coop's Chatter," became popular, addressing social issues and inspiring readers.

"The defender pursued 36 year old Jack L. Cooper, giving him full reign of any topic he chose to cover for the newspaper."

• Jack's writing at the Chicago Defender helped raise awareness of racial issues and encouraged African Americans to seek better opportunities in the North.

• Jack was offered an opportunity to transition from print to radio broadcasting in Washington D.C., expanding his influence beyond the local stage.

"Jack was offered the chance to relocate to Washington D.C. for a shot at radio broadcasting."

• This opportunity marked a significant step in Jack's career, allowing him to reach a broader audience and continue his advocacy through a new medium.

• Jack was given a significant career opportunity when the Chicago Defender chose him to help establish a new satellite office in Washington D.C.
• In D.C., Jack was approached by a producer at WCAP to write and perform comedy skits for white audiences using African American dialect.
• Jack noticed the lack of African American representation in radio broadcasting, with black individuals primarily portrayed as singers.

"Jack knew his way around the microphone given his time with Toba, but radio was next level."

• Jack's experience with Toba prepared him for radio, which offered new challenges and opportunities.

• Despite racial barriers, Jack managed to secure a position at WCAP, showcasing his ability to charm and persuade.
• He had to enter through the rear door, highlighting the racial discrimination of the time.

"Can you imagine what had to have been said by Jack, a black man who had to enter through the rear door in order to charm a room full of white men into giving him an on-air position at their radio station?"

• Jack's perseverance and talent allowed him to overcome racial discrimination and secure a broadcasting role.

• Jack created comedy skits that mimicked minstrel shows, targeting white audiences who enjoyed such performances.
• His work gained recognition across multiple states, increasing his popularity.

"Concocting his own Negro dialect, Jack put his ideas to work at WCAP, creating comedy skits to trick white listeners."

• Jack used his creativity to engage audiences, cleverly navigating the racial dynamics of the time.

• Jack returned to Chicago with a vision for the All Negro Hour, a weekly variety show aimed at a black audience.
• The show was designed to provide live entertainment through comedy, music, and religious segments.

"He returned to Chicago with a blueprint for the All Negro Hour. Back in Chicago, Jack found that Bronzeville had barely changed during the year he'd been away."

• Jack's return to Chicago marked the beginning of a new chapter, focused on creating content for black audiences.

• Jack faced challenges in finding a radio station willing to air the All Negro Hour due to racial biases.
• It took three years before WSBC AM, owned by Joseph Silverstein, agreed to broadcast the show.

"But no radio station was interested in catering to black people. No one in Chicago would bite."

• Jack's persistence eventually led to the acceptance of his show, highlighting the difficulties of breaking racial barriers in media.

• WSBC's owner, Joseph Silverstein, was open to diverse programming, focusing on immigrant groups and eventually African Americans.
• The All Negro Hour brought vaudeville to radio and made Jack the first African American radio jockey with his own show.

"To Silverstein, race had no relevance where dollar bills were green. So when Jack pitched the All Negro Hour to Silverstein, WSBC went into the African American business."

• Silverstein's business mindset allowed Jack to bring African American culture to radio, marking a significant milestone in media representation.

• Jack's broadcasting style was characterized by storytelling and a conversational tone, engaging listeners as if they were old friends.
• His shows included long, patient jokes and stories, such as the tale of Uncle Bob and his beloved pig.

"On the air, Jack was known for his meandering stories and the way he talked to the audience like he was talking to an old friend."

• Jack's storytelling ability and unique style made his broadcasts entertaining and relatable to his audience.

• Jack L. Cooper became a prominent figure in radio, initially gaining popularity with the All Negro Hour, which expanded into a weekday two-hour program.
• His success in radio was marked by creating comedy serials with recurring characters, drawing inspiration from shows like Amos and Andy.
• Jack played a significant role in supporting and advocating for Black youth organizations in Chicago, such as the Southside Boys Club and the Morgan Park Youth Association.
• By the 1930s, the All Negro Hour was well-received by listeners and advertisers, but Jack decided to end the show in 1936 to pursue other ventures.
• Jack L. Cooper Presentations became a major success, with Jack logging 40 hours of airtime per week across four Chicago radio stations.
• His company was unique in broadcasting the Negro baseball league and presenting gospel music and jazz.
• Jack's life began with challenges, being born to a single mother of 10 in the South and leaving school at age 10, but he overcame these to become a radio mogul.
• He was a pioneer for Black individuals in radio, creating opportunities and setting the stage for future Black radio entrepreneurs.

"He offered something to black people that they could appreciate, and that was a black man who didn't necessarily sound like he. He came from the bottoms of Mississippi. Black people were proud of the fact that a black man could talk good English could command your respect. The way he talked, things that he said, the way he said them. And he was a source of pride for a lot of Black people."

• This quote highlights Jack L. Cooper's ability to command respect and pride among Black listeners, breaking stereotypes and providing a positive representation in media.

• By 1947, Jack L. Cooper Presentations controlled about 40 hours per week on four different stations in Chicago, earning Jack approximately $200,000 annually, equivalent to $3.3 million today.
• At a time when the median income for African Americans was much lower, Jack's success was a significant achievement.
• He employed a network of individuals who shared his vision, contributing to his influence and reach in radio.

"Accomplished during the period of his height. Jack must have had 15 or 20 satellites, people that worked for him that portrayed his type of thinking and so forth on radio. He had a white projection. I guess a lot of white people didn't know he was black, but to me, no mistake about it, and to the average black person, but he never tried to portray himself as anything else except black."

• This quote underscores Jack's strategic approach to his career, maintaining his identity while appealing to a broader audience and employing a network that reflected his ideals.

• As Jack neared 60, he passed the torch to other African American presenters and co-produced shows like Know Your Bible and public affairs programs.
• Despite health challenges, including permanent blindness, Jack continued to influence radio and was foundational for future generations of Black radio DJs.
• Jack L. Cooper passed away in 1970 at the age of 82, leaving a lasting legacy in radio.
• In 1975, Chicago's West Pullman neighborhood honored him by naming 4.3 acres of land Cooper Park.
• Jack's impact as a radio pioneer is remembered for creating opportunities and paving the way for Black individuals in broadcasting.

"Opportunities don't just appear out of thin air, ladies and gentlemen. We must create them. Jack L. Cooper didn't see a lane for us, so he created one. The spirit and influence of Mr. Cooper can be felt and heard today."

• This quote emphasizes Jack's proactive approach to creating opportunities and his lasting influence on the radio industry, inspiring future generations to follow in his footsteps.