Interview with Ralph Jones, February 14, 1984

Interview Summary

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Ralph Jones (1906-1991) witnessed the arrival of Black migrants during the Great Migration and experienced the tensions between the established African-American community and the city's southern newcomers. After graduating from Howard University in 1931, Jones returned to Philadelphia, where he enjoyed a long and successful career in journalism serving as editor for The Philadelphia Independent and the Afro-American and as executive editor of the Philadelphia Tribune. Jones also worked as a public relations specialist for City Hall and was the first African American to become sergeant of the county detectives. Jones was also an accomplished author having written a novel, The Pepperpot Man, and a biography of the Reverend Charles Tindley entitled Charles Albert Tindley, Prince of Preachers published in 1982.

Interview Keyword

Charles Albert Tindley Neighborhoods African Americans--Marriage Philadelphia Tribune The Independent Teaching African American college students--Social conditions African American families African Americans--Relations with Irish Americans Elections African American churches African American leadership Race riots--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia African Americans--Southern States African Americans--Relations with Italian Americans

Interview LC Subject

Authors African Americans--Newspapers Integration African Americans--Pennsylvania--Philadelphia African Americans--Employment African American business enterprises African Americans--Economic conditions African Americans--Segregation African Americans--Politics and government African Americans--Social life and customs Philadelphia (Pa.)--Social life and customs African Americans--Recreation Race discrimination Racism African Americans--Education African Americans--Conduct of life African Americans--Race identity African Americans--Education (Higher) African Americans--Social conditions Philadelphia (Pa.)--Social conditions United States--Race relations

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, Special Collections, University of Kentucky Libraries.