Edwin B. Henderson II is the author of the book, The Grandfather of Black Basketball: The Life and Times of Dr. E. B. Henderson. Henderson is the grandson and namesake of Dr. E. B. Henderson who organized the first athletic league for Blacks, introduced basketball to Black people on a wide-scale, organized basis, and founded associations to train and organize Black officials and referees. He also wrote and co-edited the first Spalding publication that highlighted the exploits of African American participation in sports and authored The Negro in Sports. Outside of athletics, Henderson was instrumental in founding the first rural branch of the NAACP, advocated for school desegregation, and held executive board positions with multiple NAACP branches. Overlooked for decades, Henderson and his wife, Nikki, began nominating Dr. E. B. Henderson to be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005, and after eight years, EB was finally enshrined in 2013as a contributor. The Grandfather of Black Basketball gives long-overdue recognition to a sports pioneer, civil rights activist, author, educator, and pragmatic humanitarian who fought his entire life to improve opportunities for youth through athletics. On this episode Mike & Ed discuss the extraordinary contributions of Dr. E.B. Henderson, a pioneering figure in the realm of basketball and a dedicated civil rights activist. We delve into the historical significance of his establishment of the first sanctioned athletic league for African Americans, which enabled equitable access to sports when existing white leagues refused participation. Through the lens of his grandson, Edwin B. Henderson II, we explore the impact of Dr. Henderson's initiatives, including the formation of the Eastern Board of Officials, which facilitated organized sports within the African American community. The discussion further highlights the long-overdue recognition of Dr. Henderson's legacy, culminating in his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, an accolade that underscores his pivotal role in shaping the sport. Join us as we recount the life and times of a man whose relentless pursuit of equity and advancement in athletics has left an indelible mark on both sports and society at large. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @hoopheadspod for the latest updates on episodes, guests, and events from the Hoop Heads Pod. Make sure you’re subscribed to the Hoop Heads Pod on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts and while you’re there please leave us a 5 star rating and review. Your ratings help your friends and coaching colleagues find the show. If you really love what you’re hearing recommend the Hoop Heads Pod to someone and get them to join you as a part of Hoop Heads Nation. Get ready to listen and learn on this episode with Edwin B. Henderson II, author of the book, The Grandfather of Black Basketball: The Life and Times of Dr. E. B. Henderson. Website - https://www.grandfatherblackbasketball.com/ Email - ebhenderson22@gmail.com Twitter/X - @blklegassn1636 Visit our Sponsors! Give With Hoops Give With Hoops is a groundbreaking initiative that fuses basketball analytics with modern sponsorship. Built for teams who see data as opportunity, from AAU programs to college powerhouses. By tying on-court performance directly to community and sponsor engagement, Give With Hoops help programs raise more while deepening support from those who believe in the game. D3 Direct Recruiting Playbook Your step-by-step guide to getting recruited as a college athlete at the NCAA Division 3 level. This course is designed by former D3 Athletes to take you from zero interest from college coaches to securing your first offer and putting you on the path to committing. The Coaching Portfolio Your first impression is everything when applying for a new coaching job. A professional coaching portfolio is the tool that highlights your coaching achievements and philosophies and, most of all, helps separate you and your abilities from the other applicants. Special Price of just $25 for all Hoop Heads Listeners. Wealth4Coaches Empowering athletic coaches with financial education, strategic planning, and practical tools to build lasting wealth—on and off the court. If you listen to and love the Hoop Heads Podcast, please consider giving us a small tip that will help in our quest to become the #1 basketball coaching podcast. https://hoop-heads.captivate.fm/support Twitter/X Podcast - @hoopheadspod Mike - @hdstarthoops Jason - @jsunkle Instagram @hoopheadspod Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hoopheadspod/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoVTtvpgwwOVL4QVswqMLQ
