Civil Rights and Black American History

This website contains at least 73 audio programs that relate directly to the American Civil Rights movement and 34 that relate to Black American History. Mainline churches have often been intentional in working in these fields, and many of their audio programs reflect this work.

These subjects were also a focus of the “Night Call” radio program, which ran from 1965-1969. The nightly show was created by The United Methodist Church, and produced in conjunction with the National Council of Churches, and the Urban League, along with other faith partners.

One of the programs in these areas is selected randomly on the right side of this page. On this site, you’ll find dozens of key figures represented, giving speeches or appearing on a radio program.

To find all the programs, go to our Audio Programs page and use the search system drop-downs:

Subject: look for Civil Rights, African-American, or any other subject you wish.

Selected Speakers: find speakers like Ralph Abernathy, Muhammad Ali, James Baldwin, Julian Bond, Stokely Carmichael, Stephen Carter, Shirley Chisholm, Kenneth Clark, Eldridge Cleaver, John Conyers, Bill Cosby, Ruby Dee, Jocelyn Elders, Dick Gregory, Vincent Harding, Reginald Hawkins, Dorothy Height, Roy Innis, Jesse Jackson, A. D. King, James Lawson, Chester Lewis, Joseph Lowery, Ralph McGill, Frank Robinson, Frankie Robinson, Nina Simone, Cecil Williiams, and Andrew Young.

Randomly-chosen Civil Rights and Black American History Program:

Description: Rev. A. Cecil Williams (1929-2024) talks to participants at the Perkins School of Theology Senior Retreat. He is introduced by Dr. Doug Jackson, Perkins professor of the sociology of religion. Williams is a 1955 graduate of Perkins, and was at this time pastor at Glide Memorial UMC in San Francisco. He talked about racism in America, the place of the church in that reality, and the ministries of Glide Church.

Length: 1:02:53
Recording Date: 3/7/1969
Recorded at: Dallas, Texas