Clint C. Wilson Sr. facts for kids

Clint Cornelius Wilson Sr. (born in 1914 – died September 18, 2005) was an amazing African-American artist. He was an editorial cartoonist for the Los Angeles Sentinel, which was the most important Black-owned newspaper in California. An editorial cartoonist draws pictures that share opinions about news and important topics.

Clint Wilson's Early Life

Clint Wilson was born in a simple log cabin in rural Texas. He was one of 16 children in his family. His father was a sharecropper, which means he farmed land owned by someone else and shared the crops he grew.

From a very young age, Clint loved art. By age seven, he was already a keen artist. When he was twelve, he decided he wanted to be an illustrator, someone who draws pictures for books or articles. His family supported his dream at first. But when they realized he wanted to make a living from drawing cartoons, things changed. His father thought cartooning was a "white man's profession," so Clint's dreams had to wait. Luckily, a high school teacher believed in him and even bought him art supplies.

Clint Wilson's Career Journey

After finishing high school, Clint Wilson moved to San Antonio. It was hard for him to find work because of segregation. Segregation was when people were kept apart based on their race, and it made it very difficult for Black people to get certain jobs.

Because of this, Clint worked as a sports cartoonist for the San Antonio Register starting in 1940. He did this for free for four years! He felt that the experience he gained was more valuable than money.

Moving to California

In 1946, Clint moved to Oakland, California. He worked at the California Quarter Mater Depot and also drew cartoons as a freelancer for the Oakland Post Inquirer.

He started working for the Los Angeles Sentinel in 1956. At first, he drew sports cartoons. Clint once joked that the Sentinel probably hired him because he kept bothering them with his cartoons for ten years! He later became the newspaper's main editorial cartoonist. He worked in that important role until he retired in 2002. In 1990, he was honored by being added to the Black Press Hall of Fame at Howard University. This is a special place that recognizes important Black journalists and writers.

Other Jobs and Challenges

While working at the Sentinel, Clint Wilson also had other jobs to earn more money. He worked for a company that made hand-painted T-shirts. He also worked as a janitor for Security Pacific Bank.

In an interview in 1991, Clint explained that segregation was still a problem. He said that at that time, the only jobs Black people could get at places like banks were janitor, elevator operator, or parking attendant. As segregation started to lessen in the western United States, Clint was able to apply for a different job inside the bank, in the corporate trust department. He got the job and retired from that position in 1979.

Clint Wilson's cartoons were also published in other newspapers. These included The Final Call, a newspaper based in Chicago, and Los Angeles Times. His work also appeared in Rockford's Bible Force.

Clint Wilson's Legacy

Clint Wilson was honored by the National Newspaper Publishers Association for his important work.

His son, Clint Cornelius Wilson, II, followed in his footsteps in a way. He became a journalist and an educator. He even led the journalism department at Howard University.

Clint Wilson's grandson, Clint Cornelius Wilson, III, works in the entertainment industry in Los Angeles, California. He is a writer and a director.