The Slow Spin Society Podcast Ep.22 : First African-American Cycling Superstar

Good morning/afternoon/evening/day,

This week’s episode features an integral part of track cycling history and one which many of you may not know. Marshall Walter Taylor, the first African-American world champion in cycling, found success and fought racial discrimination through cycling. This is particularly impressive as he managed to do so only a few decades after the abolishment of slavery in the US! His life and career were riddled with people who wanted to stop at nothing to tear him and others down just to keep the sport white and segregated. Despite these forces, he was able to befriend several key figures who played an important role in his rise to stardom as a professional athlete. During this episode, we go through how he was first introduced to cycling, his first race, his obstacles, the races he won, and the people trying to hold him back. Make sure to listen to this episode as Major Taylor and his willpower and determination can definitely be an inspiration to us all.

Keep the culture alive and let’s not legends like Major be forgotten

You can learn more here: https://www.slowspinsociety.com/podcast/slow-spin-society-podcast-ep22

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/slowspinsocietypodcast

Email us at [email protected]

Join our Discord Server here: https://discord.gg/HnDdtRRQ9w

Cover Illustration by @juliettejoe_

Intro/outro music: Lovely Swindler – Amarià