Power from the Podium

The Story of Black Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos

By: R.A. Ptahsen Shabazz

Narrated by: Eon Grey, R.A. Ptahsen Shabazz, Dawn Patterson

Power from the Podium: The Story of Black Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos, is a wonderfully written story of two Olympic icons whose silent Black Power protest at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico reverberated worldwide. From the awards podium during the playing of the American National Anthem, Tommie and John, heads bowed with their black-gloved fists raised in the Black Power symbol, signified one of the most powerful protests in sports history that called attention to Black social justice and racial inequality.

This powerful message about race in America transformed world consciousness and changed their lives forever. Remembered as courageous trailblazers, today, Smith and Carlos are celebrated as pioneers of athletic activism and much like Muhammed Ali’s 1967 Vietnam protest, have inspired generations of athletes to use their platforms to herald social and political causes and inequities including Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling protest at the NFL. In Power from the Podium: The Story of Black Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos, Dr. Ptahsen-Shabazz captures their brave spirits and greatness as never before.

©2024 R.A. Ptahsen-Shabazz, Ph.D. (P)2025 R.A. Patterson Ptahsen-Shabazz

More than a moment in time.

A story that needs to be told.I was moved by the way the story was told and by the sacrifices these superstars made. Again track is making a comeback. Will there be more Power from the Podium?

The story you never knew

Those brothers paid a heavy price to stand on their principles. They were very brave. I never knew what happened after. The author really did his research. I wish he had read the audio book though. I feel the voice actor made to many mistakes. I will be listening to it again in case I missed something and focus less on the actors grammatical errors.