Black and Blue: Louis Armstrong as Ambassador of Goodwill During the Civil Rights Era

In the 1950s, legendary trumpeter Louis Armstrong began hitting new high points of popularity in his storied career, being especially beloved overseas, where he was known as “Ambassador Satch.” But in between history-making tours of Europe and Africa, Armstrong put his career on the line to speak out against racial injustice back home in the United States. Mistakenly thought to be out of step with the leaders of the Civil Rights movement, Armstrong’s brave words made headlines around the world. Louis Armstrong House Museum Director of Research Collections Ricky Riccardi will be on hand to tell the story of the decade between 1955 and 1965, utilizing rare videos, audio, and photos from the Armstrong Archives, the largest archives in the world for a single jazz musician. This program is part of the Library's celebration of the Juneteenth Holiday.  (Sponsored by the Friends of the Library)

Please note, due to a scheduling issue, the presenter for this program will be giving his presentation virtually.  We will be projecting the live presentation on the screen for those who join us in-person.  The program will also be available virtually on Zoom.

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CLICK HERE to register for Zoom attendance