Charles R. Smith Jr. came across Jack Johnson’s name while doing research for his book Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali. The similarities Smith observed between Ali and the first black heavyweight champion of the world, intrigued him come back to Johnson and write his story a few years later - particularly focusing on what young readers find most interesting: Johnson’s early years and what drove him to the path of greatness.
Listen to Charles R. Smith read from his book, “Black Jack: The Ballad of Jack Johnson.”
