In this interview, Thomas A. Dixon (b. September 1952) reflects on his community and political involvement in the aftermath of the killing of Walter Scott and the Mother Emanuel massacre. He talks about how he learned about each event and his role in a community looking for answers and justice. Dixon reflects on the impact of these events, the importance of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the need for local police reform. He remembers his decision to enter politics and talks about his campaigns in 2016 for Senate against Tim Scott and in 2020 for Mayor of North Charleston against Keith Summey. Dixon describes the challenges he faced, the lack of support from the Democrat Party, and the lessons he learned. At the end of the interview, he states his family's respect and support are what he treasures the most.
Thomas A. Dixon (b. September 1952) grew up in the projects in Chicago and was educated in the Catholic faith. Thinking priesthood could be his calling, Dixon attended Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary. There, he was part of the United Black Seminarians and became interested in the civil rights movement. He loved music and was a member of a performing trio. During his teen years, he started abusing alcohol and drugs. In 1982, he joined the Navy hoping the structured environment would help him to overcome his addictions and improve his life. Dixon talks in length about the variety of experiences he had while serving, included his two years onboard the USS Mahan. He continued struggling with addictions that prevented him from having the successful career he had envisioned. When he got discharged, Dixon joined his family in Charleston, South Carolina. At the end of the interview, Dixon remembers his parents and siblings and expresses gratitude for his present life, particularly his relationship with his wife and adult children.
Correspondence from Bill Saunders to Frank Wooten, Associated Editor for the Post and Courier, regarding personal and professional matters. Enclosed letter to the editor regarding Stratford High School.
Correspondence from Virginia Friedman and John Reynolds, Director and Producer of the Development and Advisory Committee of the "Where Do We Go From Here: A Journey in Search of Civil Rights."
WPAL Radio, Inc. memorandum from Jae Jackson to Bill Saunders regarding "the all new and improved WPAL FM," providing information on programming and personnel.
Correspondence from Judy VanSlyke Turk to David Rawle regarding Bill Saunders's induction into the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame.
Correspondence from David Levine to William Saunders of WPAL Radio regarding Levine's "dissertation on the Citizenship Schools of the civil rights movemement."
Correspondence from Joseph William Evans, III, President and General Manager for WCBD-TV, to William Saunders of WPAL Radio regarding the Carolina Children's Charity.
Correspondence from Ray Huff, Director of Ray Huff Architects PA, to William Saunders of WPAL Radio regarding a "Yale University Advance Graduate Studio Charleston Visit." Enclosed academic project statement.
Correspondence from Ray Huff, Director of Ray Huff Architects PA, to William Saunders of WPAL Radio regarding a "Yale University Advance Graduate Studio Charleston Visit."
Handwritten correspondence from John J. Tecklenburg to William Saunders regarding Saunders's induction into the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame.
Handwritten correspondence from William J. Hamilton, Jr. to William Saunders regarding Saunders's induction into the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame.
Correspondence from Lawrence O. Thompson to William Saunders regarding Saunders's induction into the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame.
Correspondence from James B. Edwards to William Saunders regarding Saunders's induction into the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame.
Correspondence from Virginia W. Deerin to William Saunders regarding Saunders's induction into the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame.
Correspondence from Bill Clinton, President of the United States, to William Saunders regarding Saunders's induction into the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame.
Correspondence from Gendey M. Howe, III to William Saunders regarding Saunders's induction into the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame.
Correspondence from Nathaniel Heyward, Chairman for the Brothers United for Change, to William Saunders, Owner of WPAL Radio Station, regarding the "First Annual Black Male Conference."
Correspondence from T. Travis Medlock to William Saunders regarding Saunders's induction into the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame.
Correspondence from D. Elizabeth Inabinet to William Saunders regarding Saunders's induction into the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame.
Correspondence from John B. Holloway, Jr. to William Saunders regarding Saunders's induction into the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame.
Correspondence from Bud M. Tibshrany to William Saunders regarding Saunders's induction into the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame.
Handwritten correspondence from Zane Knauss to William Saunders regarding Saunders's induction into the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame.
Correspondence from Lonnie Hamilton, III to William Saunders regarding Saunders's induction into the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame.
Correspondence from Hugh C. Lane, Jr. to William Saunders regarding Saunders's induction into the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame.
Correspondence from David W. Wild, Sectional Center Manager for the United States Postal Service, to William Saunders, President and General Manager of Radio Station WPAL, regarding Saunders's induction into the South Carolina Broadcaster's Association Hall of Fame.
Correspondence from Richard A. Couto, Professor at the University of Richmond, to Bill Saunders regarding an essay to be submitted to the Public Education Review. Enclosed essay, "Defining a Citizen Leader."
Correspondence from Richard A. Couto, Professor at the University of Richmond, to Bill Saunders regarding an essay to be submitted to the Public Education Review.
Correspondence from Andrew J. Savage, III to William Saunders of WPAL Radio Station regarding the recognition program for the Honorable McKinley Washington, Jr. Enclosed report from the Planning Committee for the Recognition Program for The Honorable McKinley Washington, Jr.
Correspondence from Andrew J. Savage, III to William Saunders of WPAL Radio Station regarding the recognition program for the Honorable McKinley Washington, Jr.
Correspondence from Paul Bailey Mason of the Canterbury House to William J. Saunders, President of WPAL Radio, regarding a recent article in the Post and Courier.
Handwritten correspondence from Edith Calliham to William Saunders regarding Saunders's featured article in the November 25th edition of the News and Courier.
Correspondence from R. D. Hazel of SCE & G to William Saunders regarding Saunders's featured article in the November 25th edition of the News and Courier.
Correspondence from C. Mitchell Carnell, Jr., Ph.D., Executive Director for the Charleston Speech and Hearing Center, to William Saunders, President of WPAL Radio, regarding a recent article in the News and Courier.
Correspondence from David Herbert Donald, Charles Warren Professor of American History for Harvard University, regarding personal and professional matters.
Correspondence from Robert E. Burke, Superintendent for the Charleston County School District, to William Saunders of WPAL Radio Station regarding personal matters.
National Bicentennial Competition on the Constitution and Bill of Rights Certificate of Appreciation presented to William Saunders for the academic year of 1987 and 1988.
National Association of Broadcasters' certificate for Bill Saunders for participating in the "Radio '87" Management, Programming, Sales and Engineering Convention.
Correspondence from Eileen L. Connolly, Program Officer for the Voluntary Visitors Division of the Office of Internation Visitors for the United States Information Agency, regarding Henry N. Ferguson, Town Clerk of the Freetown City Council. Enclosed biographical information on Henry N. Ferguson.
Correspondence from Charles Traynor Ferillo, Jr., President of Ferillo, Gregg, and Adams, Inc., to Bill Saunders of WPAL Radio regarding election matters.
Correspondence from Michael A. Bateman of Brown and Williamson Tobacco Corporation to William Saunders regarding the KOOL Achiever Awards to be presented in 1987.
Correspondence from William Saunders and John G. Leland to William Morrison, Jr., President of Catfish Row Company, regarding the graves of Sammy Smalls and his mother, and a recommendation "that Catfish Row Company proceed with plans to erect suitable grave markers at the two graves."
