By way of introduction – The long night of slavery – Deep are the roots – Up north – Self-taught healers – Trained physicians – Doctors in blue – High hopes and expectations – Howard and Meharry – Freedman’s hospital – Showdown in the AMA – Grim realities – Schools and organizations of their own – Four outstanding doctors – Hospital construction and health education – Against great odds – New hurdles to overcome – Medical contributions – Fighting back – Breakthrough at Tuskegee and Harlem – The will to survive – World War II – Moving forward – Professional associations – Medical colleges and nursing schools – Hospital facitilies – The health picture – The integration battlefront – Freedom now! – Civil rights activities – Operation Clean-Up – No time for delay.