In construction, a plumbline is a weight suspended from a string used as a tool to find the true reference line. A plumbline will always find the vertical axis pointing to the center of gravity, ensuring everything is right, justified, and centered. Pulling from a library of more than 3,000 shows from his storied career in broadcasting, Shelley's Plumbline leads us in a search for the truth, opening the channels of communication and understanding on tough social topics that are as relevant ...
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Shelley's Life: Back with Aunt Mamie
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Send us a Text Message. We continue sharing the story of Shelley’s life as we get closer to the celebration of his 90th birthday in September. In this week’s episode, Shelley describes life after he is taken back to his Aunt Mamie and Uncle Henry’s house. Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.…
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1947: The Year Everything Changed for Shelley
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Send us a Text Message. So far, we’ve followed Shelley from living on a screened-in porch to living in a horse stable with his brother Bubba and then to the basement of Clyde Smith’s home. In today’s episode, Shelley talks about the year 1947 and how it changed everything. Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn…
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Shelley Learns About Black and White Cultures in the 1940s
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Send us a Text Message. In this week’s episode, Shelley discusses how there were two curriculums. The one he was taught in the negro school, and the one he shared with Mary Sue Smith, Clyde Smith’s daughter. Even though she was a polio victim she somehow got a hold of books and magazines from the white school and shared them with Shelley. Listen to…
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A Decade at a Time: The Last Words of Mattie C. Stewart
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Send us a Text Message. Hey, Plumbliners. Yes, we received all your texts and emails telling us that we missed an episode last Wednesday. Thanks for noticing. You’re right. We didn’t publish last Wednesday, but that’s because we held off this week’s episode to release a very special edition of Shelley’s Plumbline. Today is Sunday, August 4, 2024. I…
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A Decade at a Time: Shelley Learns About Life from Clyde Smith
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Send us a Text Message. In this episode, Shelley continues sharing the profound influence that Clyde Smith had on his life while he was growing up in segregated Birmingham. Mr. Smith, a white man, took Shelley into his home when he was a young child. Mr. Smith taught Shelley some key secrets to life and that to be respected, one had to give respect…
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A Decade at a Time: More About the Smith Family
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Send us a Text Message. In this week’s episode, we continue sharing Shelley’s life story a decade at a time leading up to his 90th birthday. Today, Shelley tells us about his life with the Smith family, how he lived in a basement and continued his studies at Irondale Elementary. Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and Li…
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A Decade at a Time: Shelley leaves the Stables
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Send us a Text Message. Today we continue telling Shelley’s life story, one decade at a time. Let’s head out to the back porch and head back to the 1930s and 40s in Birmingham, Alabama and talk about Shelley’s life with the Smith family. Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.…
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A Decade at a Time: Shelley's Life in the 1930s
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Send us a Text Message. Hello, Plumbliners, and welcome to Season 7 of Shelley’s Plumbline. So Shelley and I looked at the calendar, and we realized that by the time we finish this season, we will be close to Shelley’s 90th birthday. So, in season seven, we will take you to the back porch and take you through Shelley’s life, one decade at a time. T…
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A. H. Parker High School 100th Anniversary Dedication Speech
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Send us a Text Message. Hey, Plumbliners. In the year 2000, Shelley gave a speech at AH Parker High School in Birmingham, Alabama, on the occasion of the school’s 100th anniversary. This is the very same school that Shelley graduated from. This is the school where Shelley began his career in journalism, broadcasting, and performing. Today we featur…
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A meeting with a Grand Knight of the KKK, A Minister of the Nation of Islam and the Executive Director of the National Conference of Christians and Jews
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Send us a Text Message. In 1993, Shelley hosted the Shelley Stewart Show, Survival in the 90s. It was a talk show on television that ran for 13 episodes. Today, we feature the audio from an extraordinary episode that featured a conversation with three very different people on the same stage. The discussion featured Lamarse Washington, Executive Dir…
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Back Porch: Race, Racism and Happiness
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Send us a Text Message. Hey, Plumbliners. This is Mark Jamroz, producer of Sheley’s Plumbline. Today, Shelley and I sit down for another edition of the “Back Porch.” Think of it as “Shelley Unplugged” as we discuss a few of our experiences learning about race and racism. Then we touch upon the topic of happiness. Stayed tuned. I think you’re really…
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Send us a Text Message. Today, Shelley takes on the tough topic of black participation in politics as he interviews Raynard Jackson. At the time of the interview in 1998, Mr Jackson was Chairman of the Americans for a Brighter Future and an outspoken black Republican. Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.…
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Freeborn Slave: Diary of a Black Man in the South
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Send us a Text Message. Today, Shelley shares an interview with Birmingham resident Karen Ameen. The interview took place in 1996, shortly after Ms. Ameen published the book Freeborn Slave, Diary of a Black Man in the South. The book is a collection of memoirs dictated by her great-grandfather, Jasper Rastus Nall, an individual who was born at the …
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Send us a Text Message. Hey, Plumbliners... Shelley was feeling a bit under the weather this week, so he asked me to find one of your favorite episodes of Shelley's Plumbline and rebroadcast it. Well, it turns out our very first episode was one of the most popular, and we released it a little over one year ago. Happy Anniversary to us! Please enjoy…
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An Interview with Fred Shuttlesworth
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Send us a Text Message. Today, Shelley shares a very special interview from 1991 with the one-and-only Fred Shuttlesworth. Reverend Shuttlesworth co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and was instrumental in the 1963 Birmingham Campaign with Martin Luther King. Shuttlesworth participated in the sit-ins against segregated lunch cou…
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Send us a Text Message. This week’s episode draws on an interview from 1991 with playwright Edward McRay. He goes deep into the finer points of African culture, history, and the limits of the American educational system. Cultures must share their histories to increase understanding. Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, an…
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Excerpts from the InsideOut Documentary
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Send us a Text Message. Today we have a very special edition of Shelley’s Plumbline. In 2002, Shelley visited two prisons in Alabama and spoke with inmates about their stories and turned it into the documentary Inside Out. And those stories speak for themselves. They are powerful. They are moving. They are profound. Stay tuned. Follow us and contin…
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The Back Porch: Instinct and the Inner Voice
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Send us a Text Message. Hello, Plumbliners, and welcome to Season 6 of Shelley’s Plumbline. Shelley and I have been talking about changing the format of the Plumbline for some time, so we thought today we would give that a try. We call this format The Back Porch. Think of it as “Shelley Unplugged.” Today, Shelley and I are going to discuss instinct…
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Your Vote is Your Voice. Are You A Republican or a Democrat?
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Send us a Text Message. So here we are – another major election is just half a year away. Today’s podcast features a show from 1996. Stay tuned as Shelley explores the questions that remain the same then as they are today: What do you believe? Who do you support? Who will you vote for? Your vote is your voice. If you do not speak, someone else will…
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An interview with Park Scott on the Bahai Faith
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Send us a Text Message. Today, Shelley shares an interview from 1991 with Park Scott, Senior. He discusses the Bahai Faith and how it seeks the oneness of humanity, the elimination of prejudice and a harmony between science and religion. Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.…
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Send us a Text Message. By popular demand, Shelley and Teddy Pendergrass continue to share the message: Wake Up, Everybody. Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.Autor: Shelley Stewart
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Send us a Text Message. Today, Shelley shares a simple message. Wake up everybody. It’s time to think ahead. Wake Up, Everybody. The time is now. Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.Autor: Shelley Stewart
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Did Malcolm X Teach Us Something or Are We Doing the Same Thing Now?
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Send us a Text Message. Today, we share Malcolm X's famous Ballots or Bullets address. The message rings true: The key to freedom lies in economic prosperity. Economic opportunity for all is the tide that will lift all boats. Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.…
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Shelley's Plumbline: Celebrating Powerful Women
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Send us a Text Message. Today Shelley celebrates National Women’s Month with some personal reflections on the strong women he has known in his life, from his mother Mattie C whom he saw murdered when he was five years old, to Oprah and Kamala Harris. Stay tuned as we celebrate the power of women. Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook,…
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Send us a Text Message. Hey, Plumbliners… Shelley has been in the hospital the past couple of weeks, so he asked me to rebroadcast a previous episode. I looked back in the archives at one of my favorites. It’s from episode 5 of season 1 and it features an interview with attorney Rodney Max discussing Hate Crimes. Please enjoy. And if you’re so incl…
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Shelley's Plumbline: Shelley Reflects on Black History Month and Racism in America
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Send us a Text Message. As we come to the end of Black History Month, Shelley looks back on the last three episodes and shares his personal insights on the overt and not so overt signs that racism are still evident in America today. Stay tuned as the plumbline seeks the truth. Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and Link…
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Shelley's Plumbline: Excerpts from "Remembering Slavery"
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Send us a Text Message. Today we continue telling more stories of Black history, as we share an excerpt from the recording, “Remembering Slavery: African Americans Talk About Their Personal Experiences of Slavery and Emancipation,” published by The New Press, in conjunction with the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution. Stay tuned an…
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Shelley's Plumbline: Early Slave Rebellions
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Send us a Text Message. Hey, Plumbliners. Before we begin with this week’s episode, we’d like to thank you for the emails! We received an email from a teacher in Washington state. She says, … My class has been learning about the Children's March recently, and one student asked whatever happened to Shelley the Playboy after watching the documentary …
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Shelley's Plumbline: Horace Huntley and the Dangers of Cultural Annihilation
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Send us a Text Message. Here at the beginning of Black History Month, we welcome you to season 5 of Shelley’s Plumbline. Since it is Black History Month, Shelley and I did some research. According to a recent article in Axios, “…lawmakers in 30 states have proposed new restrictions during the past year on what schools can teach about the nation's r…
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Shelley's Life in Music: Stories About The Godfather of Soul, James Brown
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Send us a Text Message. Today we bring Season 4 to an end as we shine the spotlight on the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. James was a controversial character to be sure, but he became good friends with Shelley and always admired Shelley’s belief in the power of education. When James released the song Don’t Be A Dropout, he couldn’t wait to play it…
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Shelley's Life In Music: Stories About...Guess who?
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Send us a Text Message. Since Shelley was a DJ and radio personality, he was instrumental in helping grow the careers of numerous well-known talented singers and musicians. During Season 4 we have covered stories about many of these musical giants who started as business associates of Shelley’s and blossomed into deep friendships. We shared stories…
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Shelley's Life in Music: "The Big O," Otis Redding.
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Send us a Text Message. On today’s episode we continue sharing stories from Shelley’s fascinating life in music as he tells us about his personal and professional relationship with Otis Redding. Otis was a chauffeur for another band when he was discovered during a break at the recording studio in Muscle Shoals. Shelley was fortunate enough to be th…
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Hosea Williams: Did the Dream of Dr. King Become A Nightmare?
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Send us a Text Message. Hey Plumbliners. The theme of Season 4 has been about Shelley’s life in music. But this week, to honor Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday, we’re going to rebroadcast our podcast from Season 1 on Hosea Williams. Hosea Williams was a very close friend and associate of Dr King and was instrumental in organizing the Movement. Pl…
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Shelley's Plumbline: Shelley's Reflections on Rosa Parks and the Rosa Parks Day Award.
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Send us a Text Message. On December 1, 2023, Shelley received the Rosa Parks Day Award for Leadership, Commitment to Civil Rights, Voting Rights, and Civic Service. Rosa Parks Day is December 1st because that was the day, in 1955, when Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus. In today’s podcast, Shelley reflects…
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Shelley's Life in Music: Bobby "Blue" Bland
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Send us a Text Message. In this week’s episode, we continue exploring Shelley’s friendship with another major blues artist – Bobby “Blue” Bland, or “Blue” as Shelley called him. Like many blues, soul and R&B artists, Shelley traces Blue’s work back to his Gospel roots. In fact, there are hints of those notes in many of his most popular songs. Stay …
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Shelley's Life in Music: Lou Rawls, Did You Pray Today?
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Send us a Text Message. Today we continue to explore Shelley’s life in the music world as we take a look at Lou Rawls. Lou, like Sam Cooke, was born and raised in the Chicago area and crossed paths with Sam Cooke as they sang in gospel groups before moving into R&B, Jazz, and Soul. Since Shelley was a popular radio personality, he had a hand in pro…
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Shelley's Life in Music: A Slice of Soul Heaven with Johnnie Taylor
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Send us a Text Message. Today, Shelley talks about his personal and professional friendship with the Philosopher of Soul, otherwise known as Johnnie Taylor. As the PR director for Redwal Music Company, Shelley had the opportunity to spend time with Johnnie, as well as other music greats on that label, including Otis Redding. We’ll get to Otis in a …
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Shelley's Life in Music: Unknown Stories About Ray Charles
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Send us a Text Message. We continue to explore Shelley’s life in music, as Shelley shares stories about his relationship with Ray Charles. Ray is definitely an icon in the blues world, known for his trademark Ray Ban sunglasses. In fact, it’s generally acknowledged that Ray was the first blind musician to wear sunglasses, setting a trend for future…
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Shelley's Life in Music: Stories About Riley "B.B." King.
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Send us a Text Message. Two of the most popular episodes of Shelley’s Plumbline were Episode 1 of Season 2, "The Final Interview with Eddie Kendricks." A lot of folks also liked Episode 2 of Season 2 … about Shelley’s life scouting for musical talent on the Chitlin' Circuit. So to kick off Season Four, we’re going to give you more stories about She…
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Shelley's Life in Music: A Conversation About Sam Cooke
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Send us a Text Message. Today as we continue to explore Shelley’s life in music, we feature a conversation about Sam Cooke, one of Shelley’s dear friends. In fact, Shelley was so close to him that Sam was the godfather to one of his children. Aside from being a very good friend, Sam and Shelley shared the same mission: to use the power of music to …
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Shelley's Plumbline: An Open Forum Discussion on William Raspberry, Racism and Economic Power
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Send us a Text Message. From time to time, Shelley would conduct an open forum during his show, and listeners would call in. Today’s episode features a discussion from 1996 with Shelley and a listener regarding a speech given by William Raspberry, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for the Washington Post. The discussion focuses on how racism is o…
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Shelley's Plumbline: An Interview with Tommy Wrenn, Foot Soldier in the Movement.
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Send us a Text Message. Today we continue our exploration of one of the many organizers in the Movement who had great influence but were not as well-known. This episode features an interview from January of 1998 when Shelley sat down with Tommy Wrenn. Active in the movement in both Birmingham and Selma, Wrenn worked as a field staffer for the Dr Ki…
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Shelley's Plumbline: Yvonne Willie, Author of The Boy Who Didn't Want to Be Black
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Send us a Text Message. Today’s episode features an interview from 1998 with the author of The Boy Who Didn’t Want to Be Black, Yvonne Willie. She and Shelley discuss the role of racial identity and self-worth, revealing that internalized racism is a learned behavior. Follow us and continue the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.…
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Shelley's Plumbline: James Armstrong and His Story of the Integration of Graymont School
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Send us a Text Message. Today we continue to share little-known stories of the struggle during the early 60s with an interview with James Armstrong. He recounts the many artificial obstacles city officials presented him when he attempted to enroll his children in Graymont School in Birmingham, Alabama, at a time when it was segregated. He prevailed…
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Shelley's Plumbline: Dr. Vincent Harding Discusses the True Meaning of the Struggle
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Send us a Text Message. Today, we feature an interview with author and historian Dr. Vincent Harding. A social activist, he was perhaps best known for his work with and writings about Martin Luther King Jr., whom Harding knew personally. In this episode, Dr Harding sits down with Shelley and talks about not only the Black struggle – but how several…
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Shelley's Plumbline: Mayor Ford Talks about Redistricting in the 90s
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Send us a Text Message. Today, we share an interview with Johnny Ford, the first African-American mayor of Tuskegee, Alabama. He served five terms from 1972 to 1996 when he won a seat in the Alabama House of Representatives. He was re-elected mayor of Tuskegee in 2004, and he served until 2008. This interview touches on the issues of gerrymandering…
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Shelley's Plumbline: Uncovering The Movement: An Interview With Rev. N. H. "Fireball" Smith
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Send us a Text Message. In this episode, Shelley shares an interview from January 1993 with Rev. Nelson H. Smith, also known as "Fireball" Smith. Smith was another unknown yet highly influential foot soldier in the fight for human rights for all, participating in The Movement before the 1960s and marching side by side with Dr. King during the '60s.…
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Shelley's Plumbline: Shelley's 89th Birthday Celebration!
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Send us a Text Message. Happy 89th Birthday to Shelley Stewart! Today, we celebrate Shelley's 89th birthday with a recording of a speech Shelley made when he was 63 years old at Friendship Baptist Church. This Church plays a special role in Shelley's life. As a boy of five, he saw his mother murdered just a few blocks away. In spite of growing up w…
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Shelley's Plumbline: Yvonne Turner: One of Freedom's Foot Soldiers
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Send us a Text Message. This week, Shelley continues to explore some of the lesser-known yet powerful foot soldiers in the Movement. One such person is Yvonne Turner. Who is Yvonne Turner? Well, well before the Human Rights Movement of the 60s, the true Movement began in the mid-1950s, and people like Yvonne Turner, Georgia Price, and others were i…
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Shelley's Plumbline: Rare Speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Send us a Text Message. To kick off Season 3 of Shelley's Plumbline, we went through his archives, and Shelley rediscovered some rare recordings of #MLK that he had forgotten about. These are speeches MLK made in Birmingham! Why are they rare? Because for his protection and to keep Bull Conner guessing, Dr. King would often show up to churches unan…
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