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xi acknowledgments This volume attempts to fulfill an immense responsibility of resurfacing a part of rich african american history. This is a task too ambitious for one individual to undertake. i could not have finished this book without the support of my family, friends, and colleagues. i am grateful and humbled by their continuing support, kindness, and generosity. First and foremost, i thank advisors, mentors, and professors who helped me grow as a scholar and as an individual. Of course, all the people whose names appear here generously shared their knowledge and experience with me. What i cherish and appreciate the most, however, is their support and commitment. Dr. Pero Gaglo Dagbovie challenged me intellectually while demonstrating his commitment to african american history and work ethic, which i continue to emulate. he also provided me with useful and empowering advice when needed. Whenever i met with him for a cup of coffee, for lunch, or for just a quick update, i felt strongly empowered and motivated. Dr. Richard Thomas shared with me his personal childhood experiences growing up in Detroit as an african american. he read a very early version of this book in fall 2006. at that time, it focused only on Detroit and it was only twenty pages long. This research paper has expanded to half of this book in a matter of a few years. Without Dr. Thomas’ encouragement to pursue the research, half of this work would not exist. Dr. Gary hoppenstand was always a great supporter of my work and of me. allowing me to assume a position as an editorial assistant and later as a member of the Editorial advisory Board for the Journal of Popular Culture for which he serves as editor, Professor hoppenstand provided me with precious opportunities to expose myself to the latest academic discourse in television studies, issues concerning representation, and many other pertinent fields in Popular culture Studies. Whenever he saw me in the journal office, he shared his enthusiasm and support for my work with me. Dr. Joe Darden xii acknowledgments always offered different approaches and perspectives that i had not thought about on my own. after spending twenty to thirty minutes discussing various issues from my dissertation to urban culture, to african american identity and representation, and even to trans-Pacific Black migration, i always left Professor Darden’s office with new perspectives on my research and writing. Dr. Darden asked me one of the toughest questions during my dissertation defense. at the time, i was nervous. But now i know that the experience made me even sharper as a scholar. i must also thank especially three professors from the university of Massachusetts at Boston. Drs. Shirley Tang, Rachel Rubin, and Peter Kiang gave me advice and encouragement while i was working on my master’s degree final project, which later became a basis for part of this book. a bulk of my research took place at Boston city archive, Boston Public Library, Burton historical collection at Detroit Public Library, and Wayne State university arthur Neef Law Library. i would like to thank especially Zachary Enright and Kristen Swett from Boston city archive, ashley Koebel and Romie Minor from Burton historical collection, and Doug card from the arthur Neef Law Library. i also thank Larin McLaughlin, andrew Kenyon, and Michael Rinella for their professional support. We all know that after attending a few conferences , we begin to see familiar faces not just in conference rooms but also in our favorite part of the conference: the book exhibit. i would see Larin sitting at the booth for the State university of New York Press at different conferences. i think she began to recognize me because i would swing by the exhibit hall looking for one more book to purchase between panels, a few times a day. i was, at the time, still a master’s degree candidate. Larin, nevertheless, expressed her interest in my project. For several years to come, i would update her on the progress of my work, in hopes that it would be considered for publication one day. She was excited for me when i finally submitted my proposal and manuscript for review. after Larin left the Press, andrew guided me through the manuscript review phase. Michael assisted me through the rest of the process. i cannot thank them enough for their help and support. i thank my close friends for their encouragement and support. Mathew Bartkowiak, Dwight Branch, adam capitanio, Kelly MacDonald, Gregory Stoller...

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