10 Facts About Hal Jackson

Harold Baron Jackson was an American disc jockey and radio personality who broke a number of color barriers in American radio broadcasting.

Hal Jackson was born in Charleston, South Carolina, the fifth child of Eugene and Laura Hal Jackson; his father was a tailor.

Hal Jackson's parents died when he was young, and he grew up in Washington, DC, where he was raised by relatives; he attended Howard University, but did not get a degree.

Hal Jackson began his career as a sportswriter, covering local and national black sporting events for the Washington DC Afro-American.

Hal Jackson later hosted The House That Jack Built, a program of jazz and blues on three Washington radio stations,.

Hal Jackson first moved to New York City in November 1949, when he was hired by station WLIB, which wanted to expand the amount of black programming it offered.

In 1990, Hal Jackson was the first minority inducted into the National Association of Broadcaster's Hall of Fame.

Hal Jackson was given a Pioneer Award by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation in 2003.

Hal Jackson was inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records as being the oldest broadcaster, with a record 73-year career.

Hal Jackson died of natural causes in New York City on 23 May 2012, with his wife and three children at his bedside at the age of 96.