Season 1, Episode 34: Martha Jean the Queen, Black Radio Hall of Fame Inductee, My Inspiration

That Social Work Lady

If you've ever wondered what inspired me to start a podcast you really don't have to look or wonder for long. I was raised on radio at a time when my city, Detroit, was reigned by TWO queens: Aretha and Martha Jean.
If you've never heard of her Martha Jean the Queen was born Martha Jean Jones in Memphis, TN in 1930. A larger than life figure, the Queen built a communication empire after 46 years in the industry. She is a member of both the Black Radio Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
And throughout the entirety of my childhood, Martha Jean the Queen's voice came through on the radio. She was one of the architects for the MLK Holiday in the city of Detroit in the 70's. Because of her work and that of Detroit City officials, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday was observed as a city wide holiday throughout my primary school life. Martha Jean was also heralded as the 'calm' during the 1967 Rebellion in Detroit.
And the Queen inspired my 8 year old self to organize a protest against a very authoritarian paraprofessional. But more importantly she taught me that black girls are to be seen and heard, unapologetically.
Here is more information about the great Martha Jean 'the Queen' Steinberg:
https://detroithistorical.org/learn/encyclopedia-of-detroit/steinberg-martha-jean-queen
https://www.elmwoodhistoriccemetery.org/biographies/martha-jean-the-queen-steinberg/
https://www.metrotimes.com/news-hits/archives/2017/07/24/how-martha-jean-the-queen-steinberg-helped-calm-detroit-during-the-summer-of-1967
https://www.radiohalloffame.com/martha-jean-steinberg