Comments on: Martin Luther King, Jr. Glimpsed Through Toledo Newspapers

By: Robert Lee JohnsonJr.

Robert Lee JohnsonJr. — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:47:39 +0000

Amazing! I thought I would just search my grandfathers name (Richard Belcher) to see if I could retrieve information about his news paper, “The Bronze Raven”. Yes grand dad did cover Martin when he visited Toledo at Scott High, but we also are in search of that artical. The only contacts I’ve seen on line, are on microfoam at The University of Toledo and Ohio State University.

By: Earl Johnson, Jr., CRM

Earl Johnson, Jr., CRM — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 05:27:15 +0000

Arthur,

I’m so glad you asked about this as over the years, I, too, have been looking for material on his speech as well. I was a Sophomore at Scott at the time, and actually was onstage with Dr. King as a member of Scott’s famed Symphonic Choir under the direction of Mr. David Carter. We performed well that night, to a packed house at Scott’s Fieldhouse as I remember.

However, like you, I’ve not been able to find any coverage of that speech in either the Toledo Blade, or at the Toledo-Lucas county Public Library. If you remember, the Bronze Raven was Toledo’s “black” newspaper back in those days, but it’s long since been gone although I’m sure they must have covered it. I wonder what happened to their archived newspapers.

Please share anything you find on his speech in Toledo, and I will do the same.

Thanks, and good luck.
Earl

By: Arthur S. Johnson

Arthur S. Johnson — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 01:40:37 +0000

I have been seeking off and on, over the years, for information about the occasion of Martin Luther King Jr.”s speech at Scott High School in 1967. At that time I was City Auditor of the City of Toledo. Mayor John Potter was unable to be present for the event, and he asked me to represent the City and welcome Dr. King to Toledo.

I would like to know whether there are any reports, pictures or other commentary on this historic event, the only time, I believe, that Dr. King visited Toledo. My recollections of the event, now over 40 years ago, are rather hazy. I would like to have some detailed account the event.

Thank you – Arthur S. Johnson, 2520 Aldringham Road, Toledo, OH 43606