Keywords

Clyde Sanders; Orlando; Civil Rights; Radio; Popular Culture; 1950s

Abstract

Clyde Sanders is fondly remembered by those who were fortunate enough to tune their radio dial to WLOF during the 1950s or WOKB in the ‘60s. His show played the coolest tunes for teenagers who, for the first time, could carry with them music in their pockets. Sanders served as more than a radio DJ, however. Being Black in Orlando in the midcentury was complex and often dangerous. Careful not to explicitly engage with topics of civil rights, Sanders quietly advocated toward racial justice, helped to coordinate meetings, and advance racial harmony with his show which, though intended for Black audiences, held consistently high white listenership. Overall, Sanders’ role has been broadly underconsidered in Orlando’s civil rights movement, as have daily activists like Sanders in mass media like radio and print. By considering Sanders from the broader perspective of everyday activism and his access to mass media, a more complete perspective on the role of Black journalists, DJs, and cultural figures and their contributions to the civil rights movement can be achieved.

Thesis Completion Year

2026

Thesis Completion Semester

Fall

Thesis Chair

Lester, Connie

College

College of Arts and Humanities

Department

History

Thesis Discipline

History

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Download

Share

COinS
 

Accessibility Statement

This item was created or digitized prior to April 24, 2027, or is a reproduction of legacy media created before that date. It is preserved in its original, unmodified state specifically for research, reference, or historical recordkeeping. In accordance with the ADA Title II Final Rule, the University Libraries provides accessible versions of archival materials upon request. To request an accommodation for this item, please submit an accessibility request form.