Frank E. Bolden facts for kids

Franklin Eugene Bolden, Jr. was an American journalist. He is famous for being a war correspondent during World War II. He was one of only two African American journalists officially allowed to report from the war.

Early Life and School

Frank Bolden was born in Washington, Pennsylvania on December 24, 1912. His father was the first African American mail carrier in their city. After finishing high school, Bolden went to the University of Pittsburgh. He was the first African American person to join the marching band there.

He also joined a fraternity called Alpha Phi Alpha. In 1934, he graduated with a science degree. Even though he got great grades, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine did not accept him because of his race. He was also turned down for a teaching job in Pittsburgh Public Schools. At that time, they did not hire African American teachers. In 1960, Bolden married Nancy Travis.

Working at the Pittsburgh Courier

Bolden started working for the Pittsburgh Courier newspaper while he was still in college. He wrote about Pittsburgh sports to earn extra money. After college, he decided to work full-time for the Pittsburgh Courier. He became a general reporter.

Much of his work focused on Wylie Avenue in Pittsburgh. This street was a lively center for African American culture. He met famous musicians there, like Sarah Vaughan, Count Basie, and Billy Eckstine. Bolden also wrote about the tougher parts of Hill District life. He once said, "Wylie Avenue: the only street in America that begins with a church and ends with a jail."

After World War II, Bolden was offered jobs at big newspapers like Life Magazine and The New York Times. But he chose to go back to the Pittsburgh Courier. It was the most important African American newspaper at that time. In 1956, he became the city editor. He left the paper in 1962.

War Reporter

When the United States joined World War II, the Pittsburgh Courier chose Bolden to be a war correspondent. Because he had a college degree, he was selected. Bolden and another journalist, Edgar Rousseau, were the only two black journalists officially allowed to report from the war.

He traveled through Europe and Asia. He wrote about the brave actions and successes of African American soldiers. This included the 92nd Infantry Division and soldiers working on the Burma Road. Bolden explained why he went: "White America was convinced that Negro soldiers under fire would be cowards and turn and run, that is why I went over."

In 1945, his writing caught the attention of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi was a leader in India's fight for freedom. He invited Bolden to stay at his home for two weeks. Then, Jawaharlal Nehru, another Indian leader, invited Bolden to stay at his home for twelve days. Also in 1945, Bolden interviewed important world leaders. These included Franklin D. Roosevelt, Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill, and Chiang Kai-shek.

National News Work

After leaving the Courier, Bolden worked for The New York Times. He was a general reporter there. Next, he worked for NBC News. He reported for popular TV shows like The Today Show and The Huntley-Brinkley Report.

In 1964, Bolden was in San Francisco covering the Republican National Convention for NBC. He got an unexpected interview with Barry Goldwater, a politician. Bolden said that Goldwater agreed to the interview but made a rude comment about news organizations hiring "you people."

Back in Pittsburgh

In 1964, Bolden moved back to Pittsburgh. He became the assistant director of information for the Pittsburgh Board of Education. He worked there until he retired in 1981. Bolden was also like an unofficial historian for the African American community in Pittsburgh. He left behind many interviews and research. Bolden passed away on August 28, 2003, at 90 years old.

Frank E. Bolden Collection

The Archives Service Center at the University of Pittsburgh keeps the Frank E. Bolden Papers. This collection includes documents from 1930 to 1967. It shows his career as a journalist, reporter, and editor for the Pittsburgh Courier. It also covers his time as a war correspondent. The collection has his college notes, letters, newspaper article drafts, memos, photos, and newspaper clippings.