Malvin R. Goode Papers (C1706) Collection Number: C1706 Collection Title: Malvin R. Goode Papers Dates: 1911-2001 Creator: Goode, Malvin Russell, 1908-1995 Abstract: Malvin Russell Goode, Sr. was the first African-American broadcast journalist at ABC News. The collection consists of letters, speeches, photographs, audio cassettes, reel-to-reel tapes, awards, and other miscellaneous items documenting his life, career, and African-American culture. Collection Size: 8 cubic feet, 277 audio cassettes, 88 audio tapes, 11 video cassettes, 6 film reels (463 folders) Language: Collection materials are in English. Repository: The State Historical Society of Missouri Restrictions on Access: Collection is open for research. This collection is available at The State Historical Society of Missouri Research Center-Columbia. If you would like more information, please contact us at [email protected]. Collections may be viewed at any research center. Restrictions on Use: Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Rights & Reproductions on the Society’s website for more information and about reproductions and permission to publish. Preferred Citation: [Specific item; box number; folder number] Malvin R. Goode Papers (C1706); The State Historical Society of Missouri Research Center-Columbia [after first mention may be abbreviated to SHSMO-Columbia]. Donor Information: The Goode Papers were donated to the University of Missouri by his children, Robert W. Goode, Richard A. Goode, Roberta Goode-Wilburn, Rosalia G. Parker, Ronald L. Goode, and M. Russell Goode, Jr., on October 5, 2001 (Accession No. CA5897). An addition to the collection was made on March 11, 2002. Processed by: Processed by Tricia Walker and Jennifer Lukomski, February 2008. Finding aid revised by Lauren Leeman on April 7, 2020. (C1706) Malvin R. Goode Papers Page 2 Historical Note: Malvin Russell Goode, Sr., was born February 13, 1908, in White Plains, Virginia. He was the son of William H. and Mary Ellen Hunter Goode. The family moved to Homestead, Pennsylvania, while Mal was still a child. Mal Goode married Mary Lavelle on September 26, 1936. They had seven children, one of whom died in infancy. The surviving children are Malvin Russell, Robert W., Richard Allen, Roberta Louise (Goode-Wilburn), Ronald Lavelle, and Rosalia Ellen (Parker). After graduating from Homestead High School, Goode went on to attend the University of Pittsburgh and graduated in 1931. For five years after receiving his degree, he continued working for the Homestead Works of U.S. Steel, where he had been employed during high school and college. After he quit U.S. Steel in 1936, he worked at various times as a probation officer, director for the YMCA, manager for the Pittsburgh Housing Authority, and eventually in the public relations department of the Pittsburgh Courier. In 1949, he began working in broadcast journalism, while continuing his work with the Courier. Initially, he worked for KQV Radio with a twice-weekly commentary called “The Courier Speaks.” In 1950, he also began working for station WHOD as a newsman. His sister, Mary Dee, partnered with him on WHOD broadcasts. Goode had thirteen years of broadcasting experience with four different Pittsburgh radio stations when he was selected by ABC in September 1962 to be a United Nations correspondent. With his hiring, ABC became the first national news network to hire an African-American correspondent. Seven weeks after he was hired, the Cuban Missile Crisis developed and because the lead ABC correspondent for the United Nations was on vacation, Goode reported on the entire story for ABC. He continued to cover the U.N. for ABC until his retirement in 1973. Goode also reported on civil rights issues and political conventions for the network. After his retirement from ABC, he worked for the National Black Network, again covering the U.N., civil rights, and politics. Goode was jailed many times in attempts to harass and intimidate him for his involvement with civil rights issues. He was active with the NAACP and traveled across the country to give speeches for more than 200 local chapters. He knew and interviewed many prominent civil rights leaders and athletes like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Jackie Robinson. Arrangement: The collection has been arranged into the following eight series: Correspondence Clippings News and Subject Files Writings, Assignments, and Interviews Speeches Miscellaneous Photographs Audiovisual Material Go to top (C1706) Malvin R. Goode Papers Page 3 Scope and Content Note: Correspondence The incoming correspondence mainly consists of letters requesting Goode as a speaker at events, but his outgoing letters document his interest in politics and sports, particularly baseball. Goode was not shy about sharing his opinions with presidents, congressmen, or star athletes. Carbon copies of Goode’s responses to letters are usually typed on the back of the originals and reveal an extensive network of friends and associates from around the nation. Letters from family and friends are also scattered throughout the series. Of note are letters from Jackie Robinson. The Correspondence series is arranged chronologically except for undated materials, which are at the end of the series and arranged in alphabetical order by the correspondent’s name. Clippings This series consists of news clippings from around the United States which mainly document Goode’s speaking engagements; however, some also address the experiences and views of the African-American community on politics, sports, and events in African countries. Copies, some incomplete, of the Pittsburgh Renaissance News are included in the series. The clippings are arranged by subject and then chronologically. News and Subject Files This series contains press releases and wire reports collected by Goode during the course of his career. These materials are arranged chronologically. A small group of folders were arranged by Goode as subject files. These have been retained as subject files instead of being separated into press releases, clippings, or correspondence. The subject files deal with the Kennedys, minority aging, civil rights leaders, apartheid, and Africa and are arranged alphabetically. Writings, Assignments, and Interviews This series contains interview notes and transcripts, scripts, film quality reports, lecture and travel expenses, and various personal writings. Included in this series is an outline for Goode’s autobiography. This series is arranged alphabetically by type of material, and then chronologically. Speeches This series contains typewritten copies of speeches Goode gave at different venues around the nation. Some speeches have multiple drafts as Goode adapted previously prepared speeches for new audiences and some are different speeches with the same theme and title. They are arranged alphabetically by title. Miscellaneous This series contains a wide variety of documents, such as ceremony programs, award certificates and photocopies and digital images of plaques and other items given to Goode over his career. Go to top (C1706) Malvin R. Goode Papers Page 4 There are also objects related to the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity to which Goode belonged. Of particular note is a print of Mal Goode created by Bryan McFarlane for the Miller Brewing Company’s 1987 Gallery of Greats calendar. The programs are related to civil rights organizations, churches, colleges, funerals, and lectures that are generally associated with the African-American community. The scrapbook pages contain autographs and ephemera relating to the Pittsburgh Pirates and other baseball players from the 1950s and 1960s. This series is arranged alphabetically by topic. Photographs This series contains family photographs, a few photographs by Teenie Harris, baseball players, celebrities, world leaders, and photographs documenting trips and United Nations delegates. They are arranged alphabetically by topic. Audiovisual Material This series contains audio cassettes, open reel tapes, and a variety of video formats. The materials document sermons, interviews, speeches, and United Nations sessions. Due to the bulk of materials in this series, these items have been catalogued using only the information provided on the label. There may be errors, as Goode frequently recorded new material over the original recordings. Items marked VACANT were discarded after determining the contents did not match the description and was irrelevant. The series has been arranged by format. Container List: f. 1-189 Correspondence f. 1 1911-1931 f. 2 1952-1954 March f. 3 1954 March-1955 f. 4 1956-1959 f. 5 1960-1961 f. 6 1961 March-1962 August f. 7-10 1962 September-December f. 11-19 1963 f. 20-24 1964 f. 25-30 1965 f. 31-40 1966 f. 41-50 1967 f. 51-60 1968 f. 61-68 1969 f. 69-76 1970 f. 77-85 1971 f. 86-93 1972 f. 94-97 1973 f. 98-101 1974 f. 102-108 1975 f. 109-114 1976 f. 115-121 1977 f. 122-123 1978 Go to top (C1706) Malvin R. Goode Papers Page 5 f. 124-131 1979 f. 132-138 1980 f. 139-141 1981 f. 142 1982 f. 143-144 1983 f. 145-150 1984 f. 151-154 1985 f. 155-157 1986 f. 158-160 1987 f. 161-165 1988 f. 166-168 1989 f. 169-171 1990 f. 172-176 1991 f. 177-179 1992 f. 180 1993 f. 181 1994-1997 f. 182 1998 f. 183 1999-2001 f. 184 Undated A-F f. 185 Undated Goode, Antje-Goode, Richard f. 186 Undated Goode, Robert-Graham f. 187 Undated H-R f. 188 Undated S-Z f. 189 Undated Miscellaneous f. 190-225 Clippings f. 190 Education f. 191 Employment & Affirmative Action, 1966-1987, n.d. f. 192 Family Members f. 193 Lectures & Speeches, 1963-1975 f. 194 Lectures & Speeches, 1976-1988, n.d. f. 195 Lectures & Speeches- Churches, 1968-1992, n.d. f. 196 Lectures & Speeches- NAACP, 1963-1975 f. 197 Lectures & Speeches- NAACP, 1976-1985 f. 198 Lectures & Speeches- NAACP, n.d. f. 199 Lectures & Speeches- Schools, 1963-1979 f.