Description
In 1965 Dudley F. Randall founded the Broadside Press, an organization devoted to publishing, distributing and promoting the works of black poets and writers. In so doing, he changed into an important player within the civil rights movement. Hundreds of black writers got an outlet for their work and for their calls for equality and black identity. Even though Broadside used to be established on a minimal budget, Randalls unique skills made the press successful. He used to be trained as a librarian and had spent decades studying and writing poetry; most importantly, Randall used to be totally committed to the advancement of black literature. The famous and slightly unknown sought out Broadside, including such writers as Gwendolyn Brooks, Margaret Walker, Mae Jackson, Lance Jeffers, Etheridge Knight, Sonia Sanchez, Nikki Giovanni, Audre Lorde and Sterling D. Plumpp. His story is considered one of battling to advertise black identity and equality through literature, and thus lifting the cultural lives of all Americans.