Celebrating Black History Month: Ted Poston, African-American awarded Polk Award for National Reporting

Ted Poston, born July 4, 1906 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, is one of the first African-American journalists to work for a mainstream, white-owned newspaper, the New York Post.  He was a reporter for the New York Amsterdam News, which was published for the African-American community in 1928.  He became the editor in 1935. 

He was hired by the New York Post in 1936, the third black reporter for a major NYC daily paper.  He reported on Jackie Robinsons' entrance to the MLB, and the Little Rock Nine.

Poston worked for the Office of War Information during WWII as part of the Negro Liaison, FDR's Black Cabinet.

He was awarded the George Polk Award in 1949 for National Reporting.  He passed away in January 1974.

Arkansas Gov. Faubus sends Nat'l Guard to prevent the Little Rock Nine from entering high school 1957

In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that segregation of schools was unconstitutional, but integration did not come easily. 

In 1957, nine black students attempted to enroll at Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas.  On September 4, 1957, Governor Faubus mobilized the Arkansas National Guard to prevent the students from entering, preventing integration.  To "preserve the peace". 

The nine students were physically and mentally abused by the white students, but they persevered.  President Eisenhower sent the 101st Airborne Division of the US Army, then later, federalized the Arkansas National Guard and ordered them to support the integration and protect the black students.