‘Word Warrior’ tells the story of important but relatively unknown Chicago figure

‘Word Warrior’ tells the story of important but relatively unknown Chicago figure
‘Word Warrior’ tells the story of important but relatively unknown Chicago figure

‘Word Warrior’ tells the story of important but relatively unknown Chicago figure

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Richard Durham was an influential writer, author, poet and union activist who in 1940 decided to try his hand at radio. Though his first radio script was considered too wordy by one of his editors, Durham would go on to create a popular radio series among African Americans called Destination Freedom. The weekly program featured stories of important African American figures such as Lena Horne and Jackie Robinson. Durham would later work for Chicago mayor Harold Washington. Durham’s story is told in the new book “Word Warrior: Richard Durham, Radio and Freedom.” We spoke with the book’s author, Sonja Williams, who’s also Professor of Journalism, Film and Media at Howard University.