The Famous Black Preacher Who Feuded With MLK

Summary

On the Media: The Famous Black Preacher Who Feuded With MLK

Podcast Information:
Title: On the Media
Host: WNYC Studios
Episode: The Famous Black Preacher Who Feuded With MLK
Release Date: August 13, 2025
Description: This episode delves into the life of Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaud, a prominent Black preacher whose influence waned amid the Civil Rights Movement and his fallout with Martin Luther King Jr.

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Introduction to Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaud

The episode opens with a glimpse into the charismatic presence of Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaud, affectionately known as the "Happy am I" preacher. In 1934, Brooke Gladstone introduces Michaud as "the best known colored man in America," whose Sunday services captivated over 25 million listeners on CBS radio (00:02). Michaud was revered in Black America as a beacon for racial harmony and progress.

Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaud himself welcomes listeners with his signature optimism:
"Good morning. Is everybody happy? This is Elder Whitefoot Solomon Mishaw, the happy night preacher. Come this morning to tell you Jesus loves you." (02:10)

Rise to Prominence and Political Influence

Michaud's influence extended beyond the pulpit. Suzanne Smith, a history professor, explains Michaud's pivotal role in supporting Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidential campaigns, underscoring his ability to sway African American voters:
"He decides to support Franklin Delano Roosevelt in his first election to the White House and go on the radio and encourage African Americans to vote and really brings in a lot of votes for him." (05:28)

This political engagement continued as Michaud built relationships with subsequent presidents. Dr. LaRone Martin highlights Michaud's strategic flattery towards President Truman:
"He writes to Truman and he says, you're God's man. And in fact look at your name. Your name says true man because you are a true man." (06:18)

Michaud’s efforts were further aimed at ensuring African Americans had a voice within the corridors of power, believing that insider status would best serve their community's interests:
"He sincerely believes that having insider status is what's going to help people of color the most. Not protesting power, but trying to work with power." (07:04)

Relationship with J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI

Michaud’s collaboration with J. Edgar Hoover, the long-serving FBI Director, is a significant aspect of his political maneuvering. Suzanne Smith notes:
"He starts communicating with J. Edgar Hoover... together we can make sure that communism doesn't get a foothold in this country." (08:00)

Michaud perceived the FBI as a Christian organization aligned with his values, believing this partnership would aid in safeguarding the nation against perceived threats like communism.

Shift During the Civil Rights Movement and Feud with MLK

The pivotal moment in Michaud's career emerged during the Civil Rights Movement, particularly after Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic "I Have a Dream" speech in August 1963. Dr. LaRone Martin explains how Hoover viewed King's activism as a potential communist influence:
"Hoover is concerned about this. He believes that there is a communist conspiracy at root within the civil rights movement and particularly with Martin Luther King Jr." (08:25)

Michaud began to distance himself from the burgeoning movement led by King, maintaining his traditional message of happiness and divine providence over direct political action. His sermons reflected this stance:
"Don't worry about them in Alabama or anywhere else... get on your knees and pray for them. Amen." (09:21)

This approach put Michaud at odds with the more confrontational and proactive strategies advocated by King. Suzanne Smith observes:
"He becomes increasingly marginalized because he stood up against King." (11:17)

Decline in Popularity and Final Years

As the Civil Rights Movement gained momentum, Michaud's adherence to his "Happy am I" formula led to a decline in his popularity. While still broadcasting on CBS, his influence waned as listeners, both Black and white, began to favor the more dynamic and assertive voices of leaders like King. Dr. LaRone Martin notes:
"He didn't adjust. He stayed with the happy am I formula. And I think many of Americans at this time... began to not really enjoy the form." (11:40)

Despite attempts to maintain his audience, Michaud faced criticism from within the Black community for his reluctance to publicly support King:
"I've enjoyed his preaching. But you do not publicly attack Martin." (11:40)

In the final weeks of his life, Michaud's health declined. He suffered a stroke and passed away quietly in October 1968:
"If I go away, I'm coming back to receive you. All you've got to do is to keep on believing." (13:04)

Legacy and Conclusion

Elder Michaud's legacy is a complex interplay of pioneering media influence and the challenges of adapting to a changing socio-political landscape. While his popularity has faded, his contributions remain a testament to the power of media in shaping public discourse. Lillian Ashercraft Eason reflects on Michaud's enduring spiritual impact:
"He's sort of forgotten... there are no perfect people." (13:34)

Joseph Sturtevant emphasizes the lasting spiritual teachings of Michaud:
"There's only one Elder Mitchell. We just try to live according to the gospel that he preached when he told us is still true. He's not here, but the gospel is still here." (13:55)

The episode concludes by highlighting the preservation of Michaud's sermons in the Church of God's Monthly bulletin and archived recordings, ensuring that his voice continues to resonate with future generations.

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Produced by Micah Hazel and the Radio Diaries Team
Special Thanks to Sarah Kate Kramer

Radio Diaries, a public radio documentary maker, has been instrumental in preserving intimate and rich historical narratives. Despite facing funding challenges, their work remains a vital resource for uncovering hidden histories and personal stories.

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Key Takeaways

• Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaud was a pioneering Black radio preacher with immense influence in the mid-20th century.
• His strategic political endorsements played a significant role in shaping African American support for U.S. presidents.
• Michaud's collaboration with J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI reflects his complex navigation of power and protection for his community.
• During the Civil Rights Movement, Michaud's traditionalist approach and reluctance to align with leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. led to his marginalization.
• His legacy is preserved through church records and archival recordings, highlighting the enduring impact of his spiritual messages despite his controversial political stances.

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This episode of On the Media offers a nuanced exploration of Elder Michaud's life, illustrating the intricate relationship between media influence, political power, and social movements. Through personal anecdotes and expert insights, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of a figure who once stood at the crossroads of faith, media, and politics during a pivotal era in American history.

Transcript

[Brooke Gladstone]

This is the on the Media midweek podcast. I'm for Gladstone. For these final weeks of summer, we wanted to transport you away from the doom and gloom of the daily news with a trio of stories produced by our friends at the public radio documentary maker, Radio Diaries. The series is called Making Waves, and it profiles three people who pushed the boundaries of radio. One to warn, one to rile, and one to preach. What they had in common was that they were all controversial. They spoke to huge audiences in their time, and today they're largely forgotten. Part one of the series is the Preacher. In 1934, the Washington Post called Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaud the best known colored man in America. His Sunday services were broadcast to over 25 million listeners on CBS radio. Black America saw Michaud as a leader for racial harmony and progress. But during the civil rights movement, his reputation took an unlikely turn.

[Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaud]

Good morning from the nation's capital, from the Church of God in Washington, D.C. we bring you now its regular Sunday morning service conducted by Elder Lightfoot Solomon Neshaw.

[Joseph Sturtevant]

When I was a little boy and my father took me to the church, there were so many people in there, there was no seats.

[Lillian Ashercraft Eason]

You see the band, the choir, and then you see him waltz into the church and jump up on the pulpit. And then the choir starts singing happy am I. Then he would begin his sermon. And even as a child, you knew to be still and to listen.

[Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaud]

Good morning. Is everybody happy? This is Elder Whitefoot Solomon Mishaw, the happy night preacher. Come this morning to tell you Jesus loves you.

[Joseph Sturtevant]

My name is Joseph Sturtevant, and I've been a member of the Church of God since birth 1933. I'm still there.

[Lillian Ashercraft Eason]

My name is Lillian Ashercraft Eason. I was born into the Church of God in 1940. There were other good preachers, but the Church of God made you feel special. People in the church thought that they could go to him with any problem that were bothering them within their lives. There was the Great Depression, for example, and a lot of people came to the church because they were hungry.

[Joseph Sturtevant]

The Happy Mi Cafe was down on 7th Street. You could get a meal for 1 cent. And the interesting thing about that cafe was that we feared a lot of white people. He was always looking to do things that other preachers wouldn't do.

[Lillian Ashercraft Eason]

Your friends, your associates were all members of the Church of God. That was your family. Elder Mishaw was like your father.

[Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaud]

I'm not much of a singer, but I thank God for my song. I'm on my way rejoicing. I'm happy all day long.

[Dr. LaRone Martin]

He's known as the Happy am I preacher. So he has this kind of charisma. Smiling, very happy. My name is Dr. LaRone Martin and I am the director of the Martin Luther King Jr. Research and education Institute at Stanford University. He knows how to put people at ease, how to make people laugh.

[Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaud]

When the load get heavy and the way seems dreary I just keep on singing my song Happy am I.

[Dr. LaRone Martin]

There were many who ridiculed him. One detractor called it a religious version of Amos and Andy. But he also had a great deal of supporters.

[Joseph Sturtevant]

Sometimes you would have busloads of people, white people that would come from different cities just for that broadcast. It was unusual to have something like that going on.

[Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaud]

Ain't no white nor black, brown nor yellow nor red with God. I said I'd die for a white man as quick as I would for a black man. God's grace is for for every human race.

[Dr. LaRone Martin]

Michelle is someone I think that we can point to as a radio genius in the sense that he's able to do something that most of us could not imagine by having a nationwide broadcast that is extremely popular with both black and white listeners. And this is an African American man in the early 30s.

[Suzanne Smith]

He decides to support Franklin Delano Roosevelt in his first election to the White House and go on the radio and encourage African Americans to vote and really brings in a lot of votes for him. I'm Suzanne Smith, I'm a professor of history at George Mason University and I'm currently working on my book project on Elder Lightfoot, Solomon Michel. Once he develops that relationship with Roosevelt, Truman and Eisenhower also see him in a similar vein. The presidents see him as someone who is a national voice that African Americans listen to, that if he endorses them in any way in his broadcasts, it will get African Americans to vote for them.

[Dr. LaRone Martin]

He ingratiates himself with these presidents in many ways by flattery. He writes to Truman and he says, you're God's man. And in fact look at your name. Your name says true man because you are a true man. He is a constant figure in the White House. Even if he's being brought to the White House under the COVID of darkness.

[Joseph Sturtevant]

Generally black people didn't go in the White House. My father in law was his chauffeur at one time and he said he would take him to the White House, but they would usually go there about 2 o' clock in the morning when nobody could see him going in there. Never heard anybody doing anything like that.

[Suzanne Smith]

He's very much a wheeler dealer.

[Dr. LaRone Martin]

He sincerely believes that having insider status is what's going to help people of color the most. Not protesting power, but trying to work with power.

[Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaud]

Upon the shoulders of John Edgar Hoover, Director of the FBI since 1924. Rest heavy responsibilities. Not only must he direct the bureau's offensive against subversive agents, he knew how.

[Suzanne Smith]

To find favor with white people. That was his strategy throughout his life for trying to uplift his race. In the 1940s, he starts communicating with J. Edgar Hoover. And J. Edgar Hoover was tremendously revered by most Americans. They felt he was somebody who was fighting crime in America and fighting communism in America and doing a good job.

[Dr. LaRone Martin]

Masha says that I'm a Christian. I know that the FBI is a Christian organization. And together we can make sure that communism doesn't get a foothold in this country.

[Suzanne Smith]

Hoover is trying to cultivate his relationships with religious leaders to shore up support for his own investigative missions and his general power in the government.

[Dr. LaRone Martin]

Their relationship heats up after King's I have a dream address at the March on Washington in August of 1963.

[Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaud]

Even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream.

[Dr. LaRone Martin]

Hoover is concerned about this. He believes that there is a communist conspiracy at root within the civil rights movement and particularly with Martin Luther King Jr. That's the moment where the FBI is plotting and thinking that Masha may be useful. They will call Michelle into service. Anytime they need someone to launder information for them, they'll call in Michelle and he'll do so on his radio broadcast.

[Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaud]

Don't worry about them in Alabama or anywhere else. All of us gonna die. But what we want to do is Michaud. When we do die, we got a home in the sky.

[Dr. LaRone Martin]

Bashal is saying all this protest, all this nonsense, all this jostling for rights is absurd.

[Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaud]

And don't let malice or envy. Don't let the newspapers nor the radios stir you up. Just get on your knees and pray for them. Amen.

[Dr. LaRone Martin]

He goes about saying that racial equality is a worthy thing to pursue, but it's never going to materialize until God establishes his rule in people's hearts. Martin Luther King's dream is just silly. I do think Michaud sees King's rise in some ways as a threat. Not only is King rising to power, but he's getting recognition. At the end of 1963, he's informed by Time magazine that he's the man of the year.

[Lillian Ashercraft Eason]

He was trying to hold on to his members, and he didn't want them over there in the civil rights movement that was going to take them away from the church and maybe away from their membership. I remember feeling a conflict. There was a civil rights movement that was good. There was a church of God that was good. So how do you live with those two forces?

[Joseph Sturtevant]

When Martin Luther King made the speech, Elder Mitchell Turtle said that dream was not going to come true in this world. He wasn't against Martin Luther King. He didn't say that the Lord going to have to work that out. There was more than a man could do. And EL Mitchell told us that was the way it was going to be.

[Suzanne Smith]

He becomes increasingly marginalized because he stood up against King.

[Dr. LaRone Martin]

He was still on cbs, but the popularity did decline.

[Suzanne Smith]

Everything he had known in his life was being questioned. When he was seeing a man like Martin Luther King, who was far more eloquent in many ways and far more confrontational.

[Dr. LaRone Martin]

You had entertainers of the day, popular entertainers of the day, who were coming out in support of civil rights. He didn't adjust. He stayed with the happy am I formula. And I think many of Americans at this time, especially black Americans, began to not really enjoy the form. There are a number of letters to the editor in black newspapers where people will criticize him and say, what is he doing? I've enjoyed his preaching. But you do not publicly attack Martin.

[Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaud]

Luther King Jr. H A P P P Y Y A A M M.

[Suzanne Smith]

I Up until the last few weeks of his life, he maintains his radio broadcasts. And you can hear it in his voice that he's really physically not well this morning.

[Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaud]

The world is standing in the need of prayer. Amen. Every man, every woman that knows that his hands are clean, heart pure.

[Suzanne Smith]

He eventually suffers from a stroke and is hospitalized. He passed away quietly in the hospital in October of 1968.

[Elder Lightfoot Solomon Michaud]

If I go away, I'm coming back to receive you. All you've got to do is to keep on believing.

[Dr. LaRone Martin]

People often don't want to acknowledge that he had such a popular following because his politics now in retrospect, were on the wrong side of history.

[Lillian Ashercraft Eason]

I think he's sort of forgotten. I wanted him to become more of an associate of Dr. King's, but I think that I understand that there are no perfect people.

[Joseph Sturtevant]

There's only one Elder Mitchell. We just tried to live according to the gospel that he preached when he told us is still true. He's not here, but the gospel is still here.

[Brooke Gladstone]

Elder Michaud's sermons are still published in the Church of God's Monthly bulletin, and the church still stands on Georgia Avenue just outside Washington, DC. The congregation is smaller now, but they still meet for services twice a month. The recordings of Elder Michaud you heard in this story were from the National Museum of African American History and Culture's Church of God Audiotape Collection. The story was produced by Micah Hazel and the team at Radio Diaries. Special thanks to Sarah Kate Kramer. Radio Diaries has been producing sound, rich, intimate stories for nearly 30 years. From their teenage diaries where they gave teenagers tape recorders to document their lives, to the archival, rich, hidden histories like the one you just heard. Now, like everyone in public media, they're facing potentially disastrous funding cuts. Radio Diaries relies on federal funding for nearly half its budget, so it could really use your support. Visit their website radiodiaries.org to help them out and to listen to decades of incredible radio. I'm Brooke Gladstone. NYC now delivers the most up to date local news from WNYC and Gothamist every morning, midday and evening with three updates a day. Listeners get breaking news, top headlines and.

[Lillian Ashercraft Eason]

In depth coverage from across New York.

[Brooke Gladstone]

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