Amazing Oklahomans: Dr. Paul Lehman

It was in the News 9 building more than a half century ago that history was made. For the first time in Oklahoma City, an African-American anchored the news. This was just the beginning of a long career of breaking barriers for Dr. Paul Lehman.

It's all tucked away in binders now. Photos and memories more than 50 years old. Unfortunately, you can't find clips of Dr. Paul Lehman on TV. But his ground breaking career on television in Oklahoma is still remembered.

In 1968, on Channel 9, Lehman became the first African-American news anchorman in Oklahoma City.

“The very first time my presence appeared on TV the switch board lit up with things like ‘Get that N off’,” Dr. Lehman recalls.

Undeterred, Lehman would create and host "Soul Talk" in 1969.

“African-American talk show, I did the first one,” recalls Lehman. “We had a variety of people we would interview, actually just talk to and got input from them on what their plans were, what their visions were.”

His TV career work would pave the way for other African-American journalists in OKC.

“No one wanted to be left behind but nobody wanted to start it except CBS Channel 9.”

Dr. Lehman would go on to become the first African-American educator at the University of Central Oklahoma in 1969 while working at channel 9. He taught English. Always the journalist, Dr. Lehman kept asking questions and kept writing. His numerous books tackle issues of race.

“The immediate impact was to challenge the stereotypical view of people of color,” says Dr. Lehman. “Whatever the challenge was, people were forced to say, 'OK, maybe I was misinformed.'”

Dr. Lehman was the first African-American to earn the first PhD in English at Lehigh University. He served as the Dean of the graduate college at UCO and taught at the university for 39 years.

Dr. Paul Lehman still teaches...his grandchildren. Still using the lessons of the past to mold the minds of tomorrow.

 “The whole point of getting involved is to do for others,” he said.