First Through the Fire: A Memoir of Talbert Gray

by Talbert Gray, Tim Trott (Editor)

Overview

Talbert Gray's lifetime accomplishments go beyond breaking racial barriers, to owning radio stations and making his mark in journalism. His story presents a compelling and motivational narration of accomplishment and achievement. The message of this book is not just Talbert Gray's personal journey, but what you can achieve in yours. Never be discouraged by the barriers you face along the way. Take courage and always be ready to charge ahead Through the Fire.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9798881198947
Publisher:	Barnes & Noble Press
Publication date:	05/28/2024
Pages:	282
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.59(d)

About the Author

Over the years, my friends and family have urged me to write a book about my experiences. I have lived a life to tell this story. When I tell my story and drop names of people in my life that have in some way influenced me and that I think are outstanding, many that I knew before their fame and fortune, I have been asked to tell my story at least through memoirs. My wife, Ann, always told me we were a little ahead of our time because of some things that we have done.
I have achieved a lot. I was the first Black photo Optic Technician for RCA Service Company serving on one of their missile tracking ships filming space trajectories launched by the nation’s space program or military weapons testing program. I became the first black cameraman and news reporter in television in the state of Florida at WESH-TV and there was resistance in Florida to hire minorities, as the director and coordinator of the Florida Broadcast Skills Bank, I was responsible for hiring more than 130 minorities in radio stations, television stations, newspapers, magazines and advertising agencies. I became the first black radio station manager while working for WORL-AM in Central Florida; the first black radio station, General Manager in the state of Louisiana, while working at radio station WBOK-AM in New Orleans; and I was the first black president of a radio communication company in Florida at radio station WWFL-AM and was part of the corporation that purchased WOKB in Orlando. I worked as general manager for several other radio stations as well.
Friends have told me I am a little black history fact, quietly achieving feats behind the scenes that many could only wish to accomplish. For years, my wife, family and friends have told me I should tell my story.
(Talbert Gray, Author)

I am privileged to have known Talbert in the early day, but I was not aware of what he was facing. He was humming a tune in the hallway when we first met, as I recall. To me, he was a friend in broadcasting when we both worked at WESH-TV2, and we shared an interest in music recording. Fifty years later, I discovered he had compiled a record of his experience in an online “flip book” publication. After reading his story that I realized the extent of the struggles and the successes he experienced. I contacted Talbert, met with him, and he agreed to let me edit and publish his story.
(Tim Trott, Editor)