It’s 1948 and the DuMont Television Network airs the first episode of its new program, The Laytons, starring jazz singer and actor Amanda Randolph. Little is known about this situation comedy, but Randolph made history in its mere ten episodes as the first African-American in a starring TV role. 
Despite The Laytons’s brief run, Randolph’s performance was so well-received by the network that she made history, again, as the first African-American woman to host her own show. Simply titled Amanda, this musical variety program not only showcased Randolph’s talent, but allowed her to welcome other Black performers into the national spotlight.
But Amanda Randolph was a history-maker long before television. The piano rolls she cut in 1919 are the earliest existing recordings of a Black musician. As a singer in the Twenties, Randolph recorded with her own orchestra. She garnered rave reviews in the Eubie Blake/Noble Sissle review, Shuffle Along. She performed regularly on radio, and even lent her voice to a series of cartoons. She appeared alongside Sidney Poitier in No Way Out, and was a regular on Amos & Andy and the Danny Thomas Show.
When she passed in 1967, the entertainment trades printed tributes acknowledging Amanda Randolph’s trail-blazing career, and her work to advance the careers of fellow Black performers.
“Soundtrack to the Struggle” is hosted by Hollis Monroe. Produced by Ron Adkins. Executive Producer is Dennis Green.
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