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Quote of the Week
“When you have a dream, you’ve got to grab it and never let go.” -Carol Burnett
(Sponsored by Curtis Crawley)
Black Fact
03-09-26 | On this day in 1961, Clifton Wharton is sworn in as ambassador to Norway. Mr. Wharton was the 1st Black person to earn a PhD in economics from University of Chicago in as well as the first Black president of Michigan State, a predominantly White university.
WZZA founders Bob Carl and Odessa Bailey supported the Reverend Jesse Jackson during his national Presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988 by raising funds and organizing local volunteers. Bob Carl Bailey held several events to help fund the “Run Jesse Run” campaign, including dances at local clubs with entry fees going to the campaign. After being appointed as the Deputy Youth Coordinator for the 5th Congressional District, Tori was later elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.
Mr. and Mrs. Bailey also were instrumental in setting up Jackson appearances in the Shoals including those held at the University of North Alabama, Colbert County High School, and Muscle Shoals High School.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks at University North Alabama’s Norton Auditorium, February 1984. Shown from left: Bob Carl Bailey-Campaign organizer and fundraiser, The Rev. Jesse Jackson- Candidate for U.S. President, Principal Leroy Finch (who introduced Jackson), and Tori Bailey, Youth Coordinator for the 5th Congressional District.
(Photo provided courtesy of Kelsey and Constance Finch)
The Reverend Jesse Jackson speaks at Muscle Shoals High School Gymnasium, January 13, 1988.
(photo taken by Earl Bailey)
Rev. Jackson often showed concern about the next generation and invited them to join him.
(photo taken by Charles E. Butler)
Jackson captivates the audience at Muscle Shoals High School Gym. Shown beginning with center bottom row: Odessa Bailey-WZZA owner, with her sister Tammy Vaughn Ricks to her left, friend Pat Lee (wife of Shoals Ford owner Fred Lee) to her right, and her daughter Tori Bailey above (elected as a Delegate to the National Democratic Convention). Also shown on top left is TVA’s Dr. Taylor Byrd.
(photo taken by Charles E. Butler)
The Reverend Jesse Jackson singlehandedly inspired more individuals to become registered voters with his viable campaign for the highest office in the land. His candidacy paved the way for our first Black president, Barack Obama, to successfully achieve that goal. Both Tori Bailey and her parents were vetted by Secret Service in order to be able to work in close proximity to Rev. Jackson. All three were sworn as deputy registrars. During that period of taking information to register voters, it was wonderful to see the level of excitement about a candidate who would – for the first time – fight for the rights of all.
Jackson continued his fight for justice and equality across the nation. In 2007, WZZA Radio aired a series titled “Keep Hope Alive with Jesse Jackson”.
And in 2016, the NAACP Alabama State Conference held a Gala in Montgomery as a kick-off of activities held in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the crossing of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. At that time Tori Bailey, who was Communications Chair for the NAACP, was the emcee for the Gala. She asked the Reverend Jackson to make a few remarks. He was, of course, as dynamic and as riveting as always, inspiring the attendees to remember that we must “keep hope alive”.
