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John L. Hanson Jr.
Host, Producer, In Black AmericaJohn L. Hanson is the producer and host of the nationally syndicated radio series In Black America. It’s heard on home station KUT at 10 p.m. Tuesdays and 6:30 a.m. Sundays — and weekly on close to 20 stations across the country. The weekly podcast of IBA, the only nationally broadcast Black-oriented public affairs radio program, is one of KUT’s most popular podcasts.
Hanson’s love of radio started in his hometown, Detroit, as a teenager. He began as a music programmer and youth reporter for the student station in his school. Upon his high school graduation, he traveled to Austin, Texas, to attend Huston-Tillotson College, and landed a DJ slot at a small, low wattage station in nearby Lockhart where he offered a popular nightly program of jazz and soul music. Eventually he was hired by KUT radio in 1974 where his first assignment was to produce a nightly program called “Soul on FM” which became an immediate success and ultimately earned him recognition as “Best DJ in Texas” by Texas Monthly magazine in 1976.
In 1977, Hanson received a Minority Training Grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which he used to learn the ropes for setting up a public affairs program for KUT. Upon his return from the CPB workshops, Hanson turned his attention to improving and increasing information about the Black community, which was not effectively reaching the local media outlets.
He soon created Access, a weekly, live, phone-in program on KUT, which allowed experts in various fields and endeavors to address the public about their intended impact on the Austin community. From there, Hanson was promoted to the producer of In Black America after its previous host left the city in 1980.
Since that time, Hanson has served many roles at KUT, including being the station’s interim GM on two occasions. He retired from KUT in 2011, but has continued to work on IBA and host the Old School Dance Party on sister station KUTX 98.9 Friday afternoons from 4-7 p.m. Hanson is married to the former Latischa M. Merritt; he has two children, Kacey and Michael.
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John L. Hanson Jr. presents a tribute to the four-time Tony Award-winning producer, featuring interviews from 2020 and 2022 before Simons' passing in June 2024.
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John L. Hanson Jr. and the president of On The Corner Media Group discuss what can be done to close the talent gap in the multi-trillion industry.
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In Black America concludes the second part of an interview from 2005 between the iconic civil rights activist and John L. Hanson Jr.
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In Black America re-airs an interview from 2005 between the iconic civil rights activist and John L. Hanson Jr.
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In Black America revisits a conversation between John L. Hanson Jr. and Dyana Williams, the historic radio and industry professional.
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The host of In Black America sat down with the founder of the Nebraska-based non-profit.
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The 23-year-old children's book author was recently featured in the latest episode of In Black America.
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Producer and host John L. Hanson Jr. speaks with Dr. Blair LM Kelley, noted scholar of Black history, about her book Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class.
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John L. Hanson Jr. sat down with Dr. Williams to talk about the social issues that face plastic surgery and how he advocates for Black patients in ASPS.
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John L. Hanson Jr. spoke with the author about why it's important for children to have a diverse roster of athletes to look up to.