WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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On a special 2-hour BIO broadcast, Clarence Boone and Liz Mitchell are joined by “Freedom Rider” Hank Thomas.
PART ONE
Hank Thomas overcame an impoverished childhood in southern Georgia and St. Augustine, FL to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C., where he was active in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) affiliated Nonviolent Action Group (NAG).
After participating in the May 4 CORE Freedom Ride, Thomas returned to the Deep South to participate in the May 24 Mississippi Freedom Ride from Montgomery, AL to Jackson, MS, and was jailed at Parchman State Prison Farm. After being released on bail, he went on to participate in the July 14 New Jersey to Arkansas CORE Freedom Ride.
On August 22, 1961, Thomas became the first Freedom Rider to appeal his conviction for breach of peace. He was released on appeal, pending payment of a $2,000 bond. Following the Freedom Rides, Thomas served in the Vietnam War, returning home after being wounded in 1966. In recent years, Thomas has owned and operated several hotel and fast food restaurant franchises in the Atlanta metro region.
It is with great pleasure that Clarence and Liz welcome Mr. Thomas, The keynote speaker for the 2014 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration, who will speak on “A Freedom Rider’s Journey.”
PART TWO
BIO replays the famous “I Have A Dream” speech
PART THREE
Local calendar events of interest to the African-American community.
PART FOUR
BIO replays King’s final speech, “I Have Been To The Mountaintop”
CREDITS
Hosts: Eric Love and Leila Randle
Bring It On! is produced by Clarence Boone
Executive Producer Alycin Bektesh
Our News Editor is Michael Nowlin
Our Board Engineer is Chris Martin
