The Greatest Black American Man: H. Pace

Jad Abumrad, Shima Oliaee (radiolab.org); Crystal Quintero, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Dolly Parton's America podcast (Jad Abumrad/WNYC Studios/OSM Audio)

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The Vanishing of Harry Pace

The Vanishing of Harry Pace reveals an untold story about racial identity, color lines, and the phenomenal forgotten man who revolutionized American pop music then disappeared. LISTEN

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Black Swan Blues (Paul Slade)

It was Motown before Motown, FUBU before FUBU: Black Swan Records.

The label was founded 100 years ago by Black American Harry Pace. Harry who?

Pace inadvertently invented the term rock 'n roll, launched the career of Ethel Waters, played an important role in W.C. Handy becoming the "Father of the Blues," inspired Ebony and Jet magazines, and helped desegregate the South Side of Chicago in an epic Supreme Court battle.

Author biographer Paul Slade

Then he vanished, a mysterious disappearance. This series is about the phenomenal but forgotten man who changed America.

It's a story researched by Paul Slade about betrayal, hidden identities, and a time in America like no other.

It comes from the team that brought the world Dolly Parton’s America: Lebanese-American, Southerner, and MacArthur Genius Grant Recipient Jad Abumrad and Producer Shima Oliaee.

I thought Muhammed Ali. How 'bout you?

This audio series was produced in collaboration with author Kiese Laymon, scholar Imani Perry, writer Cord Jefferson, and WQXR’s Terrance McKnight. Jami Floyd is th consulting producer; the fact checker is Natalie Meade.

• AUDIO: LISTEN NOW

The Vanishing of Harry Pace is based on the book Black Swan Blues: The Hard Rise and Brutal Fall of America’s First Black Owned Record Label by Paul Slade.

Who inspired Ebony and Jet magazines? Harry Pace did.