DEI & The Tuskegee Airmen
Black Is America
n this episode, we confront one of the most common misconceptions about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: the idea that it lowers standards. Using the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, we examine how systemic barriers, not lack of ability, have historically limited access to opportunity. Despite facing segregation, the Airmen trained under rigorous military standards and went on to become one of the most successful fighter escort groups of World War II. We also break down modern arguments against DEI and challenge them with data, including research showing that racial discrimination has cost the...
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A Day at Motown
Black Is America
Spent the day at Hitsville USA with my brothers, The Ummah Collective Group. Afterwards I rode around Detroit, listening to my guy share what the experience meant to him. This mini episode of Black is America was created in collaboration with the Ummah Collective Group.
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Otis Blackwell: The American Songwriter
Black Is America
Otis Blackwell helped write the sound of modern America. He wrote “Don’t Be Cruel.” He wrote “All Shook Up.” He wrote “Fever.” His songs helped launch Elvis Presley’s rise at the exact moment rock and roll went global — yet his name remains largely unknown. In this episode of Black Is America, we examine the life, craft, and legacy of Otis Blackwell — the Brooklyn-born songwriter whose structure, hooks, and emotional clarity helped define 1950s youth culture and reshape American popular music. From the Apollo Theater to international charts… from behind-the-scenes...
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The American Heartbeat
Black Is America
The American Heartbeat marks the opening of Season 5 of Black Is America. One hundred years after Negro History Week was established to safeguard Black history, this film serves as a reminder that the story was never separate to begin with. Black history is not an appendix to America’s narrative — it is woven through its foundation. From labor and culture to service, faith, innovation, and memory, The American Throughline asserts what has always been true: to erase Black history is to leave the American story incomplete. This film follows a long tradition of griots — storytellers...
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Three Women, Three Races, One Truth
Black Is America
In this segment from Black Is America, host Dominic Lawson brings us to the starting line of three iconic races—three Black women in three different eras, each running not just against the clock but against the world’s expectations. Wilma Rudolph, who as a child was told she'd never walk again, shatters barriers at the 1960 Rome Olympics, becoming the fastest woman on the planet. Florence "Flo Jo" Griffith-Joyner stuns everyone with an unthinkable 10.49 seconds at the 1988 Olympic trials, setting a world record still untouched today. And in a race for redemption, Sha'Carri Richardson...
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Wilma, Florence, and Sha’Carri: American Women of Speed
Black Is America
Episode Description: In this inspiring episode of Black Is America, host Dominic Lawson takes us on a cinematic, time-traveling journey through the lives of three iconic Black women whose speed transcended the track: Wilma Rudolph, Florence Griffith Joyner (Flo Jo), and Sha’Carri Richardson. Joined by Olympic gold medalist Moushaumi Robinson, Dominic explores how each of these women didn’t just run — they defied societal expectations, symbolizing freedom, resilience, and the unbreakable spirit of Black womanhood. From Wilma’s battle with polio to Flo Jo’s fashion-forward domination,...
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The Legacy of Leadership from Fritz Pollard
Black Is America
Great quarterbacks aren’t just measured by stats—they inspire, steady the team under pressure, and make everyone around them better. That’s the kind of leader “Uncle Dougie” was, and it’s what caught the attention of Grambling State legend Eddie Robinson. But to understand Dougie’s place in that lineage, we need to rewind more than half a century to another barrier-breaker: Fritz Pollard. In this episode, we explore: How Uncle Dougie’s quiet strength and composure led him to play for one of the most storied HBCU football programs in history. The rise of Fritz Pollard—from...
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Doug Williams and the Quarter That Changed the Super Bowl Forever
Black Is America
On January 31st, 1988, under the bright lights of San Diego’s Jack Murphy Stadium, Doug “Uncle Dougie” Williams made history as the first Black quarterback to start in a Super Bowl. Across from him stood NFL golden boy John Elway—and a chorus of doubts that had shadowed Black quarterbacks for decades. The game couldn’t have started worse: a 56-yard touchdown on Denver’s first play, a 10–0 deficit by the end of the first quarter, and a painful knee injury that sent Williams to the sideline. But what followed wasn’t just a comeback—it was a seismic statement. In this episode,...
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Doug Williams: The American Quarterback
Black Is America
In this episode of Black Is America, we highlight the groundbreaking journey of Doug Williams, the first Black quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl. From his early days in Zachary, Louisiana, to Grambling State under legendary coach Eddie Robinson, to breaking barriers in the NFL, Williams' career is a testament to resilience, intelligence, and excellence. But Williams' path was anything but easy. Systemic racism, underestimation, and financial disparity sought to hold him back. Yet, he persevered, ultimately delivering one of the greatest performances in Super Bowl history. This episode...
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Black Is America Season 4: A New Era Begins
Black Is America
Social Media: Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Leave a Review: Help us continue to bring these important stories to life. Black Is America – Where Our History Comes to Life. New episodes drop monthly starting February 7, 2025.
info_outlineThis 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:
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Early Life & Training
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Born in Clayton, AL in 1898
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Learned sewing from her mother and grandmother
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Moved to NYC in 1917 to formally train at S.T. Taylor Design School
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Segregated at school but still excelled and finished early
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Building Her Brand
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Opened successful dress salon in Tampa, FL from 1919-1928
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Saved $20,000 to move to Harlem, NYC during the Renaissance
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Quickly built clientele among NYC elites and socialites
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Designed Olivia de Havilland's Oscars dress in 1947
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Peak Years
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Client list included Rockefellers, Roosevelts, duPonts and more
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Hired to design 1953 wedding dress for Jacqueline Kennedy
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Water pipe disaster destroyed original dress 10 days before wedding
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Remade it in 5 days with help of employees and community
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Late Career Struggles
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Focused more on artistry than business side, fell into debt
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Wealthy clients anonymously paid off $13k in back taxes she owed
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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.