Black Is America OWLS, LLC

This episode explores the life and career of Anne Lowe, a pioneering African American fashion designer who dressed high society elites in the early to mid 20th century. We learn about her early life in Alabama, training in New York, moving to Harlem during the Renaissance, and most famously designing Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress.
Timeline:
Early Life & Training
Born in Clayton, AL in 1898
Learned sewing from her mother and grandmother
Moved to NYC in 1917 to formally train at S.T. Taylor Design School
Segregated at school but still excelled and finished early
Building Her Brand
Opened successful dress salon in Tampa, FL from 1919-1928
Saved $20,000 to move to Harlem, NYC during the Renaissance
Quickly built clientele among NYC elites and socialites
Designed Olivia de Havilland's Oscars dress in 1947
Peak Years
Client list included Rockefellers, Roosevelts, duPonts and more
Hired to design 1953 wedding dress for Jacqueline Kennedy
Water pipe disaster destroyed original dress 10 days before wedding
Remade it in 5 days with help of employees and community
Late Career Struggles
Focused more on artistry than business side, fell into debt
Wealthy clients anonymously paid off $13k in back taxes she owed
Died in 1981 at age 82 after inspiring new generation of designers
Key Quote: "I love my clothes and I'm not interested in sewing for café society or social climbers. I sew for the families of the Social Register." - Anne Lowe
Impact: Lowe's elegant designs broke racial barriers in high fashion. She paved the way for future Black designers through her perseverance and excellence.
Subscribe, review & learn more at www.blackisamericapodcast.com
 
The Black Is America podcast, a presentation of OWLS Education Company, was created and is written, researched, and produced by Dominic Lawson.
Executive Producer Kenda Lawson
Cover art was created by Alexandria Eddings of Art Life Connections. 
Sources to create this episode include Ebony Magazine, The Saturday Evening Post, The JFK Library, The Academy, C-Span, History.com, and  Blackpast.com 
Special thanks to fashion designer Ayeshia Smith of Ayeshia.com. Follow her on IG at Ayeshia.appareal
Also pecial thanks to Elizabeth Way, Associate Museum curator at the Fashion Institute of Technology. 
Special thanks to first Chutney Young for suggesting Ann Lowe as a topic.
And lastly thank you Lisa Woolfork, founder of Black Women Stich and host of the Stitch Please Podcast. We collaborated with her on this espisode and she introduced us to Elizabeth Way. Follow on IG At Black Women Stitch.  
 

This episode of the Black is America podcast tells the story of Guy Bluford, the first African American astronaut in space. We'll explore his early life and inspirations, his path to NASA, the historical significance of his achievement, and his spaceflights.
Guy Bluford's Upbringing and Early Inspiration
- Guy Bluford was born in 1942 in Philadelphia, PA and became fascinated with aviation and engineering from a young age. 
- He was inspired by the Tuskegee Airmen and other pioneering African American aviators who were breaking barriers in the 1940s and 50s.
- Bluford joined the Air Force, became a pilot, and flew combat missions during the Vietnam War, further fueling his passion for aerospace.
Becoming an Astronaut
- In the late 1970s, Bluford was selected for NASA's astronaut training program along with other African Americans like Ron McNair and Fred Gregory.
- This was part of the first class of Space Shuttle astronauts as NASA prepared to launch a new era of spaceflight.
Making History in Space
- On August 30, 1983, Bluford launched into space aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, becoming the first African American astronaut in space.
- Original Tuskegee Airmen and other African American aviation pioneers attended the launch in recognition of Bluford's achievement.
- Bluford flew a total of four Space Shuttle missions between 1983 and 1992, logging nearly 700 hours spent in space.
Inspiring Future Generations
- Bluford's accomplishment built on the struggles of earlier pioneers like Ed Dwight Jr. and inspired future African Americans to pursue careers in the space program.
- After retiring from NASA, Bluford remained committed to encouraging youth, especially minorities, to pursue STEM careers. 
- His pioneering journey from Philadelphia to the cosmos opened doors for future African American astronauts, scientists, and engineers.
Conclusion
- In conclusion, Guy Bluford broke barriers as the first African American in space, both symbolically and literally reaching new heights. 
His achievement highlighted the perseverance and talent within the African American community and paved the way for greater diversity in space exploration. The Black Is America podcast, a presentation of OWLS Education, was created and is written, researched, and produced by Dominic Lawson.
 
Executive Producer Kenda Lawson
 
Cover art was created by Alexandria Eddings of Art Life Connections. 



Sources to create this episode include NASA.gov,History.com’s program Military Heroes,The New York Times,The History Makers.org,The International SciEd Center and Space Museum in Hutchinson Kansas,The Television Academy Foundation, Arcfireld Weather,ABC News, Smithsonian Magazine, and CBS News.   
 

A preview of season 3

This special Juneteenth episode of the Black Is America podcast delves into the life and legacy of Barbara Jordan, an American lawyer, educator, and politician who was a leading force in the Democratic Party. Known as a "Protector of American Democracy," Jordan left an indelible mark on American history.
Part 1: The episode begins with an introduction to Barbara Jordan, a trailblazer born and raised in Houston, Texas. Her early life, educational pursuits, and initial political career are examined. 
Part 2: The second part dives deeper into Jordan's historic term as a U.S. Congresswoman, marking the first African-American woman from the South to serve in the House of Representatives. Key highlights include her impactful role in President Nixon's impeachment proceedings. Her notable speech at the DNC convention two years later is also discussed, which further increased her prominence and set out a new vision for America.
Part 3: The final part brings attention to Jordan's legacy, especially her impact on subsequent generations of politicians and public figures. Despite challenges, Jordan continued to advocate for an America true to its principles. The episode closes with a reflection on the progress made since Jordan's time and the importance of remembering and honoring her contributions.
Episode Highlights:
Introduction and Early Life of Barbara Jordan Barbara Jordan's Political Career Barbara Jordan's Role in Nixon's Impeachment Barbara Jordan's Speech at the 1976 DNC Convention Impact and Legacy of Barbara Jordan Reflection on the Progress Made Credits: Created, written, researched, and produced by Dominic Lawson. Executive producer is Kenda Lawson. Cover art by Alexandria Eddings of Art Life Connections.
Resources: The New York Times, CBS News, U.S. House of Representatives Archives and the Texas Southern University Barbara Jordan Archives.
Connect: Subscribe to the Black Is America Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform. For a full transcript of this episode and other resources, visit www.blackisamericapodcast.com.

In this special Memorial Day presentation of the Black Is America podcast, we explore the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of Doris "Dorie" Miller. From his humble beginnings in Waco, Texas, to his decision to join the Navy during a time of racial segregation, Dorie's story captivates and inspires.
 We first set the stage for his extraordinary path. Next, we delve into the events leading up to World War II and examine the impact of his choices. Then we highlight his heroic actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor, showcasing his bravery and resilience in the face of adversity. Lastly, we explore the recognition he received and the ultimate sacrifice he made aboard the USS Liscome Bay. We also introduce you to Charles Jackson French and his heroic actions aboard the USS Gregory during the attack. There's also the exploration of a "what if" scenario with Jackie Robinson at Pearl Harbor (yep, he was there too!)
This Memorial Day, we pay tribute to Dorie Miller's unwavering courage and honor his legacy as an American defender. Join us for this powerful and enlightening episode of the Black Is America podcast.
More information on what happened to Jesse Washington
The Black Is America podcast, a presentation of OWLS Education, was created and is written, researched, and produced by Dominic Lawson.
Executive Producer: Kenda Lawson
Cover art was created by Alexandria Eddings of Art Life Connections. 
Sources to create this episode include Naval History and Heritage Command, CBS News, Infographics Show, ESPN’s Down and Distance Podcast with Ivan Maisel,  the Brookings Institute, Waco History.com
Scenes from the movie Peal Harbor are courtesy of Touchstone Films and Jerry Bruckheimer Films and is distributed by Buena Vista Pictures.
Be sure to Like, review and subscribe to the Black Is America Podcast on Apple Podcast, Spotify, where ever you like to listen to podcasts. Also, let people know about the podcast, we would appreciate that very much. 
For a full transcript of this episode and other resources, go to www.blackisamericapodcast.com. There you can read our blog, leave us a review, or you can leave a voicemail where you can ask a question or let us know what you think about the show that we may play in an episode. 
 
 

In the #BlackHistoryMonthFinale, host Dominic Lawson tells the inspiring story of Sergeant Henry Johnson, the first American hero of World War I. Johnson was a member of the 369th Infantry Regiment, an all-black unit known as the Harlem Hellfighters, and his bravery and sacrifice in battle helped to establish the United States as a military superpower firmly. Despite facing racism and discrimination at home, Johnson and his fellow soldiers fought courageously for their country and paved the way for future generations of African American soldiers.
Key Points:
Sergeant Henry Johnson was the first American hero of World War I and a member of the all-black 369th Infantry Regiment, known as the Harlem Hellfighters. Johnson's bravery and battle sacrifice helped establish the United States as a military superpower. Despite facing racism and discrimination at home, Johnson and his fellow soldiers fought courageously for their country. Johnson was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2015, and efforts are underway to rename a military base in his honor. The story of Sergeant Henry Johnson and the Harlem Hellfighters is an important part of African American and United States history. Show Notes:
Background on the 369th Infantry Regiment and the Harlem Hellfighters Discussion of racism and discrimination faced by African American soldiers during World War I Detailed account of Sergeant Henry Johnson's bravery in battle and the many injuries sustained while defending his fellow soldiers Discussion of the posthumous honors and awards given to Johnson, including the Medal of Honor and the Purple Heart Information on efforts to rename a military base in honor of Johnson and the Harlem Hellfighters Analysis of the question of why African Americans continue to fight for a country that does not always love them back Quotes from Johnson and other African American leaders Conclusion and call to action for listeners to support the Black Is America Podcast and continue learning about important moments in African American history. Zimmermann Telegram | Facts, Text, & Outcome | Britannica
 
Sources:
White house.gov History.com Smithsonian Magazine The Department of Defense The National Museum of African American History and Culture The National Archives CSPAN Website: www.blackisamericapodcast.com