Charles Black Oral History
Object number2021.001.0035
Date05/18/2021
ClassificationsOral Histories
Oral history interview subject
Charles Black
Oral history interviewer
Stephen Fagin
ObjectOral history
Credit LineOral History Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
MediumBorn digital (.m2ts file), Born digital (.m4a file), Born digital (.mp4 file)
DimensionsDuration: 70 Minutes
DescriptionVideotaped oral history interview with Charles Black. As a student at Morehouse College, Black co-founded the Atlanta Student Movement in 1960 and served as chairman from 1961-1962. During that time, he led local protests and boycotts, ultimately meeting with Georgia Governor Ernest Vandiver. Black attended the March on Washington on August 28, 1963, and returned to Washington, D.C. in November to cover the Kennedy funeral as a writer for the Atlanta Inquirer.
Interview conducted over Zoom on May 18, 2021 by Curator Stephen Fagin. The interview is 1 hour and 10 minutes long.
Curatorial CommentaryJust a few days after recording this oral history with civil rights activist Charles Black, I was shocked to see him appear in a minor role in the Marvel television miniseries, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. He portrayed "Carlos," a resident of Delacroix, Louisiana, although in reality the series was filmed in Atlanta, where Mr. Black has lived for a number of years. Considering his 1960s activism, it makes perfect sense for Charles Black to appear in this particular miniseries since it encompasses the themes of tolerance and inclusion as an African American superhero, portrayed by actor Anthony Mackie, takes on the mantle of Captain America for the first time on screen. -- Stephen Fagin, Curator