meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Black History Year

The Untold Story of the NBA’s First Black Player

Black History Year

PushBlack

History

4.62.2K Ratings

🗓️ 20 October 2025

⏱️ 3 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

When Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier, it sent shockwaves throughout the country. But a few years later, another pioneer was also determined to break barriers. And while he helped shape a billion-dollar industry, very few know his legacy.

2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, a non-profit Black media company.

We exist to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at https://www.BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a month, but every dollar makes a difference! Thanks for supporting the work.

The production team for this podcast includes Cydney Smith and Len Webb. Our editors are Lance John and Avery Phillips from Gifted Sounds Network. Lilly Workneh 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

Sean has had some good ideas over the years.

0:05.0

But using Canva was a really good one.

0:08.0

Sean designed some social posts to promote his friend's car boot sale.

0:13.0

They looked good.

0:15.0

Really, really good.

0:17.0

Next thing he knows, someone came and bought the lot, including the car.

0:24.5

Now Sean doesn't know how he's going to get home.

0:28.0

Thanks, Canva.

0:30.1

For years, there's been a push to make April 15th Jackie Robinson Day, a national holiday

0:35.2

celebrating his Major League Baseball Triumph.

0:38.6

Let's also make October 31st a national holiday to honor this little known pioneer.

0:46.1

I'm Len and this is Two Minute Black History, what you didn't learn in school.

1:04.2

Before his games, Earl Lloyd practiced emotional yoga. Although he shattered the NBA's color barrier in 1950, he always had to prepare himself mentally to endure the hell he went through

1:10.3

during games.

1:12.0

White fans were brutal. Lloyd's parents said uneasily at games, forced to endure the torrent

1:18.1

of racist remarks from the stands.

1:20.6

Can that nigger play? One fan shouted. Some even demanded that he go back to Africa and he

1:26.0

was repeatedly called a monkey.

1:28.3

One fan even spat on Lloyd out of pure disrespect.

1:32.3

But whether it was the lonely bus rides and dinners due to segregation,

1:37.3

Lloyd pressed on for nine seasons.

1:40.3

After his career, he dedicated himself to Detroit youth, establishing programs that helped underprivileged children acquire job skills.

...

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.