A’Lelia Perry Bundles is a recognized American journalist and news producer born on June 7, 1952. A’Lelia was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States, and the 2001 biography about her great-great-grandmother Madam C.J Walker made her recognized. If you want more information about A’Lelia Mae Perry Bundles, please continue reading this blog.
A’Lelia’s Early Life and Education
A’Lelia was lucky to be among the few Africans that grew up in a financially comfortable home with educated parents. She felt privileged despite having close relatives who struggled to live. A’Lelia’s father had eight siblings, and her father and oldest aunt were the only ones lucky to complete college.
A’Lelia Bundles grew up in Indianapolis and was cared for by her parents. She was given the name A’Lelia after her great-grandmother, who served as the vice president of Madam C.J Walker Manufacturing Company. Moreover, A’Lelia Walker, A’Lelia Bundles’ great-great-grandmother, was also very active in local and state democratic politics.
A’Lelia Bundles joined North Central High School and was proud to be the co-editor of the Northern Lights. Besides being a co-editor, she also served as the student council vice president. At her time, there were racial issues because of the little black population in the school, and she founded and co-chaired the human relations council to deal with the issues.
In 1970, she graduated from North Central High School and was among the top five percent of her class. After high school, A’Lelia Mae Perry Bundles joined Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges and received a joint diploma. She was inducted into Harvard’s Alpha lota chapter and later joined Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and graduated in 1976.
The career of A’Lelia Bundles
A’Lelia Bundles worked on ABC News, serving as the producer and executive. Before she joined ABC News, she worked as a producer with NBC News in New York. She started her career before the 1980s and held many roles.
In 2001, she wrote her first book about her great-grandmother, which was recognized as one of the New York Times Notable books in the same year. Moreover, her longtime role in the media industry won her many awards, including the Emmy Awards and the Black memorabilia Hall of Fame.
Besides working in various media houses like CBS, ABC, NBC, NPR, and BBC, she has also served on nonprofit boards and advisory councils, including the Columbia University Board of Trustees, Radcliffe College Board of Trustees, and the National Archives Foundation.
How A’Lelia Dealt with Racism
A’Lelia grew up when racism was a big issue in the United States. She was lucky to have educated parents that supported her, but the black people suffered a lot. Finding any black person in government jobs was hard, but that did not discourage her from studying hard.
In high school, she was the first black to be elected as the school’s vice president in 1968. When she tried to vie for the presidency, the issue of racism got out of hand, and she was almost expelled from high school.
