Hoyt W. Fuller facts for kids

Hoyt W. Fuller (born September 10, 1923, died May 11, 1981) was an important American writer, editor, and teacher. He was a key figure in the Black Arts Movement, which was a time when African American artists created powerful works. Fuller also started the Organization of Black American Culture (OBAC) in Chicago. He taught writing and African-American literature at several universities, like Columbia College Chicago, Northwestern University, and Cornell University.

Early Life and Education

Hoyt William Fuller was born in Atlanta, Georgia. When he was young, he faced a difficult time. In 1927, both his mother and father passed away. After this, Fuller moved to Detroit, Michigan, to live with his aunt.

Even though he lived in Detroit, Fuller often visited his grandmother in Atlanta. She played a big role in his life. His grandmother encouraged him to learn about and explore African-American culture.

Fuller went to Wayne State University. He graduated in 1950 with a degree in literature and journalism. During his time there, a local historian named Fred Williams became his mentor. Williams helped Fuller learn more about Africa and African Americans. He also took Fuller on trips to interview older members of the black community.

A Career in Journalism

After college, Fuller started working as a journalist. He wrote for several newspapers and magazines. These included the Detroit Tribune (from 1949 to 1951) and the Michigan Chronicle (from 1951 to 1954). He also worked for Ebony magazine from 1954 to 1957.

Fuller felt that Ebony magazine was not truly showing the struggles of black people. Because of this, he decided to leave his job there in 1957.

Time in Europe and Africa

After leaving Ebony, Fuller found it hard to get another job. He also felt angry about the unfair treatment of black people in America. So, he moved to Europe. He lived in France and Spain for three years, from 1957 to 1960. While in Spain, he wrote about West Africa for a newspaper called the Amsterdam Haagse Post.

He also spent three months traveling in Algiers and Guinea in Africa. This trip was very important to him. It inspired him to write a book about his experiences called Journey to Africa.

Return to America and New Focus

Fuller's time in Africa gave him a new goal. He returned to the United States in 1960. He no longer wanted to change the minds of white Americans about race. Instead, he wanted to focus on black America.

He believed that African and African-American culture could inspire black people. He thought it would help them fight against unfair treatment and feel proud of their own identity.

In 1960, Fuller became an editor for the Robert Joseph Collier Encyclopedia. A year later, in 1961, he became the editor of The Negro Digest. This magazine later changed its name to Black World in 1970. Negro Digest/Black World focused on black culture and arts. It became a very important place for writers of the Black Arts Movement to share their work.

When the magazine stopped being published in 1975, Fuller moved to Atlanta. There, he started a new journal called First World, which ran from 1977 to 1980. He also wrote articles for other famous publications like The New Yorker and the Christian Science Monitor. Sometimes, he used the pen name William Barrow.

Teaching and Activism

Hoyt Fuller taught at several universities, including Cornell University and Northwestern University. He visited Africa again in 1965-66 as a special fellow. He also helped organize several Pan-African festivals, which celebrate African culture.

Fuller was also a founder of the Organization of Black American Culture in Chicago. This group was important for black writers.

Hoyt W. Fuller passed away from a heart attack in Atlanta in 1981.

Works

• Journey To Africa (1984)