How This Library Paved The Way For Black Educational Spaces
Black History Year
PushBlack
4.6 • 2.2K Ratings
🗓️ 17 May 2025
⏱️ 3 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The Louisville Western Branch Library was the first public library created for us and operated by our people. It was the result of residents banding together to call for an education space of our own.
_____________
2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a month, but every dollar makes a difference. If this episode moved you, share it with your people! Thanks for supporting the work.
The production team for this podcast includes Cydney Smith, Len Webb, and Lilly Workneh. Our editors are Lance John and Avery Phillips from Gifted Sounds Network. Julian Walker serves as executive producer.
To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | In 1963, America's Georgia, 15 Black girls joined a protest. |
| 0:05.9 | One for the matinee, please. |
| 0:08.1 | Negroes, get your tickets in the back. |
| 0:11.1 | We just want tickets to see the show. |
| 0:12.8 | It comes a whole mess of tickets for each and every one of you. |
| 0:16.3 | Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. |
| 0:21.2 | Based on the truth story, Push Black Presents, |
| 0:24.9 | The Stolen Girls of Americus. |
| 0:27.5 | Listen and follow on the Odyssey app, |
| 0:29.8 | or wherever you find your podcast. |
| 0:33.9 | The Louisville Western Branch Library was the first public library created for us and operated by our people. |
| 0:41.3 | It was the result of residents banding together to call for an education space of our own. |
| 0:47.3 | This is Two-Minute Black History, What You Didn't Learn in School. |
| 0:53.3 | Even though post-Civil War we were considered free and leaving What You Didn't Learn in School. |
| 0:59.9 | Even though post-Civil War, we were considered free and legally allowed to read and write, |
| 1:04.3 | basic community services like libraries were not accessible to us. |
| 1:07.0 | One town sought to change to that. |
| 1:13.3 | The city of Louisville, Kentucky would be the home to the first public library for black people. Educator and Louisville civil rights leader Albert E. Mizeek knew the importance of a public |
| 1:19.7 | library being accessible to our people, especially for black children. So he took action. |
| 1:27.4 | Myzik and other community leaders pressured the city to open a |
| 1:31.5 | library branch for black residents as many black children did not have access to adequate |
| 1:37.2 | books and services at their schools and their demands worked. The Louisville Free Public Library opened in 1905 and it included funding |
... |
Please login to see the full transcript.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from PushBlack, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of PushBlack and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.