(ThyBlackMan.com) Before there was LeBron, before there was M.J., even before Ali, Joe Louis was the greatest.
As Langston Hughes so eloquently said of Louis, “No one else in the United States has ever had such an effect on Negro emotions—or on mine. I marched and cheered and yelled and cried, too.”
Recognized by many as the first African American to be embraced as a national hero, Louis was heavyweight champion of the world from 1937 to 
1949.
Without a doubt Louis’ place in history as the man who humbled Hitler with a devastating first-round knockout of Max Schmeling in 1938 will never be challenged. However, ensuring that Louis’ legacy is fully appreciated in today’s world and passed on to future generations requires ongoing work. Fortunately, Ted Talbert is more than happy to take on that task.
An award winning documentary producer and a member of the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame, Talbert also is the founder of the Joe Louis Video Memorial Room, located in Detroit’s Cobo Center.
“We realized that there were so many people who were not aware of what life was like during Joe’s time, and the contributions Joe made,” said Talbert, who credits a supportive group of community leaders, including the late Detroit Mayor Coleman Young, for helping to make the idea a reality.
“The thought was to put something together that people could look back on 20 years from now, or 50 years from now and appreciate the wonderful life Joe Louis lived. If not for a Joe Louis, I don’t think we would have had a Jackie Robinson or an Althea Gibson and Joe’s contributions not only advanced progress on the athletic field, but socially as well.”
On June 22, Talbert and the Joe Louis Video Memorial Room will present the 20th annual Brown Bomber Jacket Award Ceremony at the Doubletree Suites by Hilton Hotel in downtown Detroit. The event pays tribute to the legacy of the “Brown Bomber” Joe Louis, while honoring individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to community involvement, fairness and outreach with youth.
“We try to recognize people who have done things to help others, particularly children, because that was what Joe Louis was all about,” said Talbert, who has written and produced nearly 20 films for Detroit TV 
stations, including “Still the Champ,” a documentary showing Louis as a winner inside and outside the ring.
The 2011 Brown Bomber Jacket Class includes Detroit Tigers legend Gates Brown; the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin; Focus: HOPE co-founder Eleanor Josaitis; boxing promoter and friend of Louis, Don King; Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Earl Lloyd; State of Michigan 3rd District Court Judge Craig Strong; and Dr. Charles H. Wright (posthumously), founder of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
By celebrating Louis’ legacy and honoring other distinguished people who have excelled and advanced society, Talbert said the event’s organizers hope to send a positive message to young people coming of age today.
“If Joe could make it back in 1933 when the country was in the midst of the Great Depression, there is no reason our youth can’t make it today,” he said.
When asked what Louis would say to African American men today? Talbert said the man once called a “credit to the human race” would most likely lead through his actions rather than words.
“Joe Louis was crazy about kids—young folks—so I expect he would want to do exactly what he did when he was in his prime, and that was give back,” said Talbert, who experienced the thrill of shaking the champ’s hand in front of a candy story as a nine-year-old while strolling through Detroit’s old “Black Bottom” neighborhood.
Talbert added: “Joe put pride where there was no pride, during a time when the grandparents of most black people had been slaves. He had to win in the ring and then come out into the world and fight racism.
“I don’t mean to knock today’s athletes, but I do wish they all could conduct themselves in the same gentlemanly manner that Joe displayed. He was just a very giving and caring person.”
For more information on the Joe Louis Video Memorial Room, please contact Ted Talbert at 313-222-0594.
Staff Writer; Scott Talley
This talented journalist is owner of a public relations firm; Scott Talley & Associates, Inc….
