Lester Walton
(1882-1965)
journalist, diplomat and songwriter
Where would the storied history of Black film be without the inclusion of the voices of Black film critics? Walton had and expansive career at the St. Louis Star, becoming the newspaper’s first full-time Black reporter. He then moved to New York, becoming the theatrical editor and manager for the New York Age, and began writing about the representation of Black people in film. As a Civil Rights activist, diplomat, songwriter, theater owner, and film critic/essayist, Walton wore many hats. He also served as Vice President for the Negro Actors Guild of America, where he lobbied for integration in film, TV, and radio. Always connecting art to politics, Walton – in partnership with the Associated Press – also lobbied to have the word “negro” spelled with a capital “N.”