Explore Black History

October 13, 1983

Organized in 1967, the Black Stuntmen’s Association was formed to break racial barriers behind the scenes in Hollywood, in both film and television production. Through their collective efforts, and with the support of prominent African American actors such as Bill Cosby, the BSA challenged the conventional practice of “paint-downs,” in which white stuntmen wearing dark makeup stood in for black actors. In addition to promoting the hiring of African American stunt workers, the BSA advocated for safer working conditions, equal compensation, and professional training for stunt people of all races and genders. Together with the Coalition of Black Stuntmen and Women, formed in 1973, the BSA has been honored by the NAACP and the U.S. Congress for leading the fight against discrimination in the film and television industry.
Actor, stunt man and stunt coordinator Len Glascow was an original member of the Black Stuntmen’s Association as well as the historian and spokesman for the “Buffalo Soldiers,” an informal group of athletes, actors, and non-professional actors that trained as horsemen and soldiers to portray the historical United States Army regiments in television and film. Conceived by actor-stuntman Bryan King in 1965, the Buffalo Soldiers became an obvious recruiting platform when BSA co-founder Eddie Smith began seeking Black stuntmen two years later. The group would later formalize as “The 10th Cavalry ‘Buffalo Soldiers’ Inc.” and perform in parades, state fairs, and horse shows, as well as television programs like The High Chaparral.

A letter from The Media Forum to Len Glascow signed by Brock Peters and Denise Nocholas-Hill. The letter thanks Glascow and the Black Stuntmen's Association for their assistance and support with Forum VI. The organization name, address and phone number appear across the top of the page. Names and positions of organization members are listed down the left edge of the page. Below the organization members is a list of sponsors, including may prominent media and political figures including Maya Angelou, Sidney Poitier, Louis Gossett Jr., Tom Bradley, Roscoe Lee Brown, Bernie Casey, Will I. Clay, Ron Dellums, Augustus Hawkins, Rev. Thomas Kilgore, Al Nellum, Michael Schultz, and Maxine Waters.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Documents and Manuscripts

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Lenton W. Glascow

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2013.73.16

correspondence

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ink on paper

H x W: 11 x 8 1/2 in. (27.9 x 21.6 cm)

Object Name • Letter from The Media Forum to Len Glascow and the Black Stuntmen's Association

nmaahc_2013.73.16

NMAAHC

LETTER FROM THE MEDIA FORUM TO LEN GLASCOW AND THE BLACK STUNTMEN'S ASSOCIATION

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1980s

Glascow, Lenton W. • Peters, Brock • Black Stuntmen's Association • The Media Forum • Nicholas, Denise

United States • North and Central America • Los Angeles • California

Television • Actors and actresses • Labor unions • Professional organizations • Hollywood (Film) • Motion pictures • Mass media • Communication

City • Los Angeles • State • California • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

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