TED Radio Hour: "Three Mothers Who Shaped American History"

Host: Manoush Zomorodi | Guest: Ana Malaika Tubbs | Date: February 27, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features a rich conversation with sociologist and author Ana Malaika Tubbs, based on her acclaimed book The Three Mothers: How the Mothers of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin Shaped a Nation. The episode thoughtfully uncovers the overlooked stories of Alberta King, Louise Little, and Bertis Baldwin—the mothers who profoundly influenced not only their sons, but also American history. Through vibrant discussion and historical context, the episode interrogates how women's vital contributions to social justice and cultural change are too often erased from public memory.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Premise: Restoring Forgotten Narratives

• The conversation opens with Tubbs recounting her inspiration to "find other hidden figures" whose names and lives were missing from mainstream history, especially Black women (04:50).
• Tubbs strategically selected the mothers of MLK Jr., Malcolm X, and James Baldwin: three women whose stories could "play on that patriarchy" to challenge audiences to learn "three Black women's stories" through familiar male names (05:50).

2. Alberta King: Mother of Martin Luther King, Jr.

• Early Life: Born in Atlanta, 1903, to leaders of Ebenezer Baptist Church; raised on the principle that Christianity and social justice are inseparable (06:11).
• Education & Activism: Earned a bachelor’s degree; among early NAACP members; deeply hopeful about education as a tool for liberation (06:50).
• Marriage Bar: Like many women of her era, her professional aspirations were curtailed by laws prohibiting married women from teaching (07:18).
• Mothering Style: Blended affection with strong discipline—instilled self-worth and a sense of responsibility in her children (08:00).
• Profound Influence: MLK Jr. drew as much, if not more, from his mother’s activism and spiritual example as from his father (09:30).

  "Everything about Alberta and everything about MLK make me think of the other...It was so clear that this was her son." —Ana Malaika Tubbs (09:30)

• Worry & Loss: Alberta was profoundly concerned for her son’s safety as his fame grew, at one point becoming physically ill from worry (10:49).
• Tragic End: After MLK Jr.’s assassination, Alberta was herself murdered in Ebenezer Baptist Church by a gunman in 1974 (17:27).

  "She's playing the organ at church as she always does every Sunday...a man stands up...starts shooting...Alberta dies at the hospital." —Ana Malaika Tubbs (17:27)

• Legacy: Her influence extended beyond her son: through her teaching, music, and steadfast moral example (18:49).

  "Her music is living on. Her message is living on through her students, through her daughter, and through her grandchildren." —Ana Malaika Tubbs (19:05)

3. Louise Little: Mother of Malcolm X

• Heritage & Upbringing: Born in Grenada, steeped in stories of resistance to colonization and white supremacy (20:07).
• Garveyism: An active part of Marcus Garvey’s Black nationalist movement; wrote for the Negro World newspaper (21:35).
• Partnership & Danger: Married a fellow activist, Earl Little. Their family was strategically placed in hostile locations to demonstrate defiance against racism (22:42).

  "They're there to kind of be like, yeah, we're here. They're agitators." —Ana Malaika Tubbs (22:42)

• Violence & Loss: Family home was attacked; Louise faced intimidation even while pregnant. Earl Little likely killed by white supremacists (25:15).
• Motherhood under Scrutiny: After her husband’s death, Louise was monitored by welfare officers, institutionalized on dubious grounds, and separated from her children for 25 years (27:28).
• Institutionalization: Systemic racism played a role in declaring her 'crazy'—she “continues to resist us,” state officials noted (27:36).
• Lasting Mark: Despite forced separation, her teachings of Black pride and resistance stayed with Malcolm; he credited her for his strength and principles, even from prison (29:54).

  "All of our accomplishments are our mom’s. She was the first to teach us about this years ago." —Letter from Malcolm X to his siblings, shared by Tubbs (29:54)

• Release & Aftermath: Louise was eventually released; just months later, Malcolm X was assassinated (30:46).
• Legacy: Survived immense tragedy with resilience and became a beloved presence for her grandchildren (32:24).

  "I am left with a sense of power. Power is the word that comes to me the most." —Ana Malaika Tubbs (32:24)

4. Bertis Baldwin: Mother of James Baldwin

• Background: Born in 1902, Maryland; orphaned young but grew up focused on optimism and love (36:14).
• Great Migration & Harlem Renaissance: Moved north, eventually to Harlem during its artistic golden age, seeking greater opportunities (37:54).
• Single Motherhood: Gave birth to James out of wedlock, raised him alone at first (38:52).
• Marriage & Hardship: Married David Baldwin, whose emotional instability led to abuse—especially against James (40:03).
• Role as Nurturer: Countered her husband’s cruelty, gifted her children (and later grandchildren) with loving letters brimming with wisdom and hope (37:22, 40:35).
• Empathy in Adversity: Taught James forgiveness and resilience, even asking him to visit and forgive his dying stepfather (40:39).
• Baldwin’s Growth: James left for Paris to pursue his writing and identity, supported by his mother’s understanding and pride (43:49).
• Final Years: Bertis lived until 1999, maintaining a central place in her family and upholding traditions of creativity, forgiveness, and light (46:31, 47:51).

  "They believe that she was one of, if not the most important person in their family." —Ana Malaika Tubbs (47:51)
  "When James Baldwin says he's a witness to the power of light, it's not just a random saying. He's directly quoting his mom." —Ana Malaika Tubbs (48:16)

5. The Larger Message: Recognizing Erased Women

• Tubbs is intentional in putting mothers "front and center" in history, not just as the women behind great men (48:24).

  "Long before their sons were thoughts in their minds, they were doing the work that their sons became famous for..." —Ana Malaika Tubbs (48:49)

• The episode draws connections between historic erasure and contemporary struggles faced by Black mothers, invoking the case of George Floyd and broader policy failures (49:38).

  "If we still don't have that policy...we need to have that now. And it's time." —Ana Malaika Tubbs (50:44)

• The closing call to action resonates:

  "Would the world be different today if we'd been telling their stories all along? I believe so. Mothers are essential. Mothers are powerful...We can change the narrative, and when we do, the world will be a much better and equitable place for us all." —Ana Malaika Tubbs (51:13-52:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Alberta King’s foundational influence:

  “She was his closest confidant. He called her almost every day...When he was experiencing racism, he would go to Alberta because he felt like she understood him better than anyone else.” —Ana Malaika Tubbs (09:30)

• On Louise Little’s unwavering courage:

  “She stands tall. She tells them she’s not afraid...She might risk her life in doing so, but it’s more important to stand tall rather than accept these notions of white supremacy.” —Ana Malaika Tubbs (24:18)

• On Bertis Baldwin’s legacy:

  “She is the one who keeps showing them what forgiveness looks like, what peace and happiness look like, what hope look like in this world.” —Ana Malaika Tubbs (48:13)

• On the bigger stakes:

  “These are not stories of the distant past—these stories are not a part of ancient history, nor should they be seen as separate simply because their sons became famous...Mothers have their own needs and their own identities. Mothers deserve support. It is time our stories and our policies reflect this.” —Tubbs on the TED stage (51:13-52:29)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:50] Tubbs explains her inspiration and methodology.
• [06:11] Alberta King’s upbringing and early activism.
• [08:00] Alberta’s mothering style and values.
• [09:30] MLK Jr.'s closeness to his mother.
• [10:49] Alberta’s growing worry as MLK Jr. gains prominence.
• [17:27] Alberta’s murder in church.
• [19:05] Reflections on Alberta’s enduring legacy.
• [20:07] Louise Little’s background in Grenada.
• [21:35] Louise’s activism and Garveyism.
• [25:15] The violence against the Little family.
• [27:28] Institutionalization of Louise Little.
• [29:54] Malcolm X’s acknowledgment of his mother’s influence.
• [32:24] Tubbs on Louise’s legacy of power.
• [36:14] Bertis Baldwin’s early losses and strengths.
• [37:54] Great Migration and arrival in Harlem.
• [40:03] Abuse in the Baldwin household and Bertis as protector.
• [43:49] James Baldwin’s move to Paris and Bertis’ reaction.
• [46:31] Bertis’ legacy and impact on her family.
• [48:49] Why mothers are front and center in Tubbs’s framing.
• [49:38] Linking historical erasure to present-day struggles.

Conclusion

This episode, through Ana Malaika Tubbs’ research and storytelling, reveals the vital, enduring leadership of Alberta King, Louise Little, and Bertis Baldwin—women who shaped their families, the civil rights movement, and American history. It urges listeners to broaden whom we celebrate, rethink how we write history and recognize the living legacy—and ongoing challenges—of Black mothers in America.

Recommended for: Anyone interested in history, social justice, untold stories, and how change truly takes root in society.