Carter G. Woodson: History, the Black Press, and Public Relations (Race, Rhetoric, and Media Series)

This study reveals how historian Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950) used the black press and modern public relations techniques to popularize black history during the first half of the twentieth century. Explanations for Woodson's success with the modern black history movement usually include his training, deep-rooted principles, and single-minded determination. Often overlooked, however, is Woodson's skillful use of newspapers in developing and executing a public education campaign built on truth, accuracy, fairness, and education. Burnis R. Morris explains how Woodson attracted mostly favorable news coverage for his history movement due to his deep understanding of the newspapers' business and editorial models as well as his public relations skills, which helped him merge the interests of the black press with his cause. Woodson's publicity tactics, combined with access to the audiences granted him by the press, enabled him to drive the black history movement--particularly observance of Negro History Week and fundraising activities. Morris analyzes Woodson's periodicals, newspaper articles, letters, and other archived documents describing Woodson's partnership with the black press and his role as a publicist. This rarely explored side of Woodson, who was often called the "Father of Black History," reintroduces Woodson's lost image as a leading cultural icon who used his celebrity in multiple roles as an opinion journalist, newsmaker, and publicist of black history to bring veneration to a disrespected subject. During his active professional career, 1915-1950, Woodson merged his interests and the interests of the black newspapers. His cause became their cause. Historian Carter G. Woodson's employment of the black press and modern public-relations techniques to preserve and popularize black history during the first half of the 20th century is rediscovered and examined in this study. This rarely explored side of Woodson, often called 'The Father of Black History, ' resurrects the lost image of a leading cultural icon who used his celebrity in multiple roles as an opinion journalist, newsmaker, and CEO/publicist of black history to bring veneration to a subject whose past was clouded by misinformation and contempt. During his era, 1915-1950, Woodson cultivated and won crucial press support for his Black History Movement, while merging his interests and the interests of the black newspapers. His cause became their cause Cover -- Half title -- Title -- Copyright -- Dedication -- Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Preface -- Prologue -- Chapter 1: Finding His Bearings -- Chapter 2: Enlisting the Press -- Chapter 3: Harnessing Press Coverage -- Chapter 4: Making News with Newspaper Columns -- Chapter 5: Managing Public Relations -- Chapter 6: Remembering Woodson (and Forgotten Black Press Contributions to His Legacies) -- Epilogue -- Appendixes -- Librarian of Congress Letter -- Woodson's Letter to His Staff -- Woodson's Final Annual Report -- (Possibly) Woodson's Final Letter -- References -- Index Finding His Bearings -- Enlisting The Press -- Harnessing Press Coverage -- Making News With Newspaper Columns -- Managing Public Relations -- Remembering Woodson (and Forgotten Black Press Contributions To His Legacies). Burnis R. Morris. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. xxv, 171 pages, 4 unnumbered pages of plates : 24 cm