These recordings consist primarily of Sunday morning religious radio programs hosted by Austin Coleman and sponsored by the Ragsdale Mortuary and the Valley Life Insurance Company.  Many of these programs were recorded to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. Broadcasts feature Christian and gospel music, advertisements for the Ragsdale mortuary and insurance businesses, and political and social commentary by Lincoln Ragsdale, Eleanor Ragsdale, and many others.

Displaying 1 - 10 of 25
Created1963-08-25
DescriptionThis Sunday morning broadcast, hosted by Austin Coleman for Ragsdale Mortuary, commemorates the Emancipation Proclamation. It features religious music by Mahalia Jackson and several others and provides a brief history of the Ragsdale Mortuary.
Created1963-03-24
DescriptionIn this sermon, Rev. Mondy discusses the Emancipation Proclamation.
Created1963 (year uncertain)
Description
This Sunday morning broadcast, hosted by Austin Coleman, features a commemoration of the Emancipation Proclamation. Coleman also reads a letter from Rev. and Mrs. Leonard Johnson of Coolidge, Arizona discussing citizenship and freedom; reports on a NAACP meeting covering the absence of “negro” employees in Arizona state government positions,

This Sunday morning broadcast, hosted by Austin Coleman, features a commemoration of the Emancipation Proclamation. Coleman also reads a letter from Rev. and Mrs. Leonard Johnson of Coolidge, Arizona discussing citizenship and freedom; reports on a NAACP meeting covering the absence of “negro” employees in Arizona state government positions, discrimination in public accommodations, and calls for a march on the Arizona capitol if the accommodations bill is not passed; and introduces and comments on a clip of Martin Luther King's "Three Words" (All, Here, Now).
Created1964
Description
Austin Coleman introduces this program celebrating Mothers' Day. It features Sid McCoy reading "At My Mother's Knee," Eleanor Ragsdale commenting on the event, and Lincoln Ragsdale presenting a sermon on "The Negro Mother." Lincoln Ragsdale also asks for volunteers to assist with Martin Luther King's planned visit to

Austin Coleman introduces this program celebrating Mothers' Day. It features Sid McCoy reading "At My Mother's Knee," Eleanor Ragsdale commenting on the event, and Lincoln Ragsdale presenting a sermon on "The Negro Mother." Lincoln Ragsdale also asks for volunteers to assist with Martin Luther King's planned visit to "Montgomery Stadium" on June 3.
Created1964
DescriptionPresentation by Joseph W. Matthews, Dean of the Ecumenical Institute of Evanston, Illinois, at a meeting sponsored by Arizona State University's Wesley Foundation. This recording has some audio quality and bleed-through issues.
Created1964-03-22
DescriptionAustin Coleman hosts this Easter season program. It features an Easter message from Lincoln Ragsdale, commentary by Ragsdale regarding discrimination, and an announcement of a demonstration to be held at the Capitol "Monday at noon."
Created1964-03-01
Description
This program, dedicated to Mr. Milton Thomas Ellis, features Lincoln Ragsdale discussing an event in Coolidge, Arizona in which two Blacks entered a restaurant to ask for food “that they might go outside and eat” and were arrested and fined $1,500. Ragsdale also calls for increased NAACP membership and

This program, dedicated to Mr. Milton Thomas Ellis, features Lincoln Ragsdale discussing an event in Coolidge, Arizona in which two Blacks entered a restaurant to ask for food “that they might go outside and eat” and were arrested and fined $1,500. Ragsdale also calls for increased NAACP membership and reflects on a march in Pinal County in the previous year. The program also includes announcements of upcoming events and opportunities for "young negro women" to work with the "new IBM machines and new telephone switchboards" being installed at the Valley Life Insurance Company.
Created1964-01-12
Description
This broadcast features Lincoln Ragsdale reflecting on the Black community's progress during 1963, including marches and attacks on himself and his family, and a “Special program by Dr. Martin Luther King" composed of excerpts from King speeches arranged in news program format. Also included are tributes to community members,

This broadcast features Lincoln Ragsdale reflecting on the Black community's progress during 1963, including marches and attacks on himself and his family, and a “Special program by Dr. Martin Luther King" composed of excerpts from King speeches arranged in news program format. Also included are tributes to community members, including Ms. Lillian Brown (a member of the Wesley Methodist Church and an employee of the Valley Life Insurance Company), Pastor Rollins Winslow and members of the of the WMC, Miss Maybelline Walker (a member of the Pentecostal Church and a Valley Life and Casualty employee), Mrs. Flora Mae Smith (a member of the Union Baptist Church and mother of eight young children), and Mrs. Freddie Mae Reagan (a member of the Pentecostal Church and the the newest member of the Valley Life and Casualty staff).
Created1964-01-12
Description
This recording includes a presentation by James P. Middleton, Pastor of the Beacon Light Seventh Day Adventist Church; a call to attend a rally sponsored by the NAACP scheduled for the afternoon and intended to raise money for Medgar Evers' widow; and a presentation on George Washington Carver by Mrs.

This recording includes a presentation by James P. Middleton, Pastor of the Beacon Light Seventh Day Adventist Church; a call to attend a rally sponsored by the NAACP scheduled for the afternoon and intended to raise money for Medgar Evers' widow; and a presentation on George Washington Carver by Mrs. Emma Scott.
Created1963-09-09
DescriptionIn this broadcast, Austin Coleman discusses the sit-in held by the Youth Council of the Maricopa County Chapter of the NAACP at the El Ray Café and Lincoln Ragsdale speaks on the "stepped-up integration movement."