Powerhouses

A Lightweight Champion, a female politician who challenged the glass ceiling, and an influential jazz musician. Who were they?
Today’s episode shares three  more mixed-race public figures from history. Coined “The Reading Hour”, listen along as Jolie reads about these dynamic trailblazers.

Saoul Paul Mamby (1947–2019) was an American boxer who held the WBC super lightweight title from 1980 to 1982. Born in the South Bronx, New York, to parents of Spanish and Jamaican descent, Mamby converted to Judaism at a young age. He began boxing in 1963, turned professional in 1969, and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Mamby's boxing career included notable victories and title defenses, facing opponents like Roberto Durán and Saengsak Muangsurin. He continued fighting into his 50s and attempted a comeback at age 60, becoming one of the oldest boxers to compete in an officially sanctioned bout. Known for his durability, Mamby was stopped only once in 85 professional fights.

Mae Street Kidd (1904–1999) was an American businesswoman, civic leader, and politician known for her significant contributions during a time when gender and racial barriers were prominent. Born in Kentucky to an interracial family, she had a distinguished career in public relations and served in the Red Cross during WWII. In politics, she represented Louisville in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1968 to 1984, advocating for landmark legislation such as the creation of the Kentucky Housing Corporation and the ratification of the Reconstruction Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Kidd's legacy reflects her resilience and commitment to civil rights.

Charles Mingus Jr. (1922–1979) was a multifaceted American jazz musician known for his prowess as an upright bassist, composer, bandleader, and pianist. He was a key figure in jazz history, collaborating with luminaries like Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, and Max Roach. Mingus' innovative compositions spanned genres from bebop to avant-garde jazz, showcased in albums like "Pithecanthropus Erectus" and "Mingus Ah Um." His music continues to be celebrated, performed by groups like the Mingus Big Band. Mingus' life was marked by his diverse heritage and experiences with racism, shaping his music's themes of injustice and discrimination. He was also known for his tempestuous personality and occasionally violent temper, alongside his brilliance as a musician. Mingus left a lasting legacy in jazz, honored with accolades like induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame and a US postage stamp in his honor.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saoul_Mamby
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mae_Street_Kidd
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Mingus

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What it means to be multiracial in America, one story at a time, from the studio to the streets.