The Great Depression that began with the stock market crash of 1929 hit African-Americans especially hard in many places.

Black unemploymen rates were double or even triple those of whites.

Though Mallon somehow remained employed, she struggled to provide for her family.

Some days they survived on bread and sugar, water.

Meanwhile, two of Morley's sons had begun to excel at sports.

Jack' talents on the baseball diamond so impressed his classmates that they offere to share their lunches with him if he chose to play on their team.

His older brother, Mack earned a place in the 1936 U.S. Olympic track and field team that competed in Berlin.

He outran Hitler's Aryan sprinters and finished behind only Jesse Owens in the 200 meter dash.

But when he came home to Pasadena, the only work Mac Robinson could find was as a street sweeper.

If it had been a different time in a mac, Robinson might have become a great celebrity.

There weren't many opportunities, and he would wear his Olympic jacket while he cleaned the streets.