By Steve Pike
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkno/local-wkno-676678.mp3
Memphis, TN – In 1963, a mother wanted her son to gain admission to Christian Brothers High School. Her only problem? The color of her son's skin. The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tennessee had decided to gradually integrate the Catholic schools, but this was not good enough for Mrs. Turner. With help from the NAACP, her son, Jessie Turner, Jr. became the first African American to desegregate a Memphis High School, while earning the highest GPA in his freshman class at CBHS.
Memphis Moments is co-produced by the Pink Palace Family of Museums (http://www.memphismuseums.org) and WKNO-FM, and airs on Tuesdays and Thursdays during All Things Considered on the WKNO Stations.