Ken Hamblin facts for kids

Ken Loronzo Hamblin II (born October 22, 1940) is a well-known American radio host, author, and political commentator. He called himself the Black Avenger. He hosted The Ken Hamblin Show, which was heard on many radio stations across the country. His show was very popular in the 1990s. He stopped broadcasting in July 2003 because of a disagreement with his radio network. Ken Hamblin lives in Denver, Colorado. He has written two books: Pick a Better Country: An Unassuming Colored Guy Speaks His Mind about America and Plain Talk and Common Sense from the Black Avenger.

Ken Hamblin's Early Life

Ken Hamblin's parents came from Barbados. His father was a policeman. Ken Hamblin served in the United States Army's 101st Airborne Division. After his military service, he became a photographer for the Detroit Free Press newspaper. In the late 1960s, he worked as a producer and cameraman for a public television station in Detroit.

Ken Hamblin started his career in radio in the 1970s. He has shared that he once supported groups like the Black Panther Party. Over time, his views changed, and he became more conservative. He is also a licensed pilot and enjoys riding motorcycles. Ken Hamblin is a father and a grandfather.

The Ken Hamblin Show

Ken Hamblin hosted a popular local talk show on KOA radio in Denver for many years. This station was very powerful and could be heard across the western and central United States. His show became nationally known when it was broadcast on C-SPAN in the early 1990s. Later, his show was heard on about 200 radio stations all over the United States.

In 1999, Ken Hamblin was recognized as one of Colorado's top 100 most influential media personalities.

The Ken Hamblin Show had some special parts:

• He often played different versions of the "Star Spangled Banner" at the start of his show.
• He would play "Taps" to honor police officers who had died.
• He would sometimes challenge listeners to name a major American city that improved after electing a liberal African American mayor.
• He was also a strong critic of some leaders, like Louis Farrakan. He would challenge people who were unhappy with the United States to "pick a better country" if they didn't like it here.

Life After Radio

As of 2010, Ken Hamblin was living in Douglas County, Colorado. He now spends much of his time traveling with his wife, Sue.

See also

• Black conservatism in the United States