William McClendon facts for kids
William McClendon (1915–1996) was an important American journalist, teacher, and activist. He was also a talented jazz musician. He lived in Portland, Oregon, and worked hard to support civil rights for everyone. He started a newspaper called the Portland Observer that shared news for the African American community.
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Early Life and Learning
William McClendon was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1915. He was the only child of Ananais and Annie Mae McClendon.
When he was 16, William went to Morehouse College. There, a famous leader named W.E.B. Du Bois helped guide him.
In 1938, William married Ida Alice Edwards. She was a student at Spelman College. They got married in Charleston, West Virginia.
Starting Newspapers for Change
William and Ida moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1938. William soon started publishing the Portland Observer newspaper. This paper focused on news for Portland's African American community. It helped share important stories before and during World War II.
After a year, the paper stopped publishing. But in 1943, a group called Shipyard Negro Organization for Victory (SNOV) asked him to start a newspaper again. The Portland Observer then became the People’s Observer.
William believed his newspaper should "fight social and economic evils." This meant it would work against unfairness and problems faced by Black people and other minority groups. This newspaper came out twice a month. It became a key voice for civil rights in Portland.
In 1945, William changed the name one more time to The Observer. This paper continued to share news and ideas until 1950.
A Passion for Jazz Music
William McClendon was also a very good jazz pianist. In 1949, he bought a jazz club on Williams Avenue called the Savoy. He renamed it McClendon's Rhythm Room.
He managed this club until the mid-1950s. William's love for jazz is still remembered today. The Portland Jazz Festival gives out the Bill McClendon Award for Excellence in Jazz every year.
Continuing the Fight for Rights
William McClendon stayed active in civil rights work throughout his life. He taught social sciences at Reed College and Portland State University. At Portland State, he helped create the Black Studies program. This program teaches about the history and culture of Black people.
He was also a member of the Portland NAACP. The NAACP is a well-known group that works for equal rights. William also helped edit books for the Black Scholar Press.
Later, he worked for Oregon Governor Vic Atiyeh. He was a deputy director for affirmative action. This role helped make sure people had fair chances in jobs and education. In 1995, he published a book called Straight Ahead: Essays on the Struggles of Blacks in America.
