Feb 4, 2022
On February 4, 1952, Jackie Robinson became the Director of Community Activities for NBC's New York outlets, WNBC (radio) and WNBT (TV). He signed a two-year contract at a salary of approximately $20,000 a year and became the first African-American executive of a major network.
His job was to deliver on-air commentary and supervise the development of youth programs in collaboration with the Police Athletic League (PAL), Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), the Boy Scouts, the YMCA, and the YMHA (no girls’ groups mentioned). Robinson said of his new job, "It also gives us a chance to combat communist propaganda by showing there are plenty of opportunities for negroes in this country.”
Photo: Keystone/Archive Photos/Getty Images
