John L Hanson Jr.

John L. Hanson Jr. (born circa 1950) is an American radio broadcaster, disc jockey, and interviewer. He is the longtime host and producer of In Black America, a nationally syndicated public-radio program focusing on the African American experience. Hanson has interviewed prominent figures in politics, civil rights, music, literature, sports, and culture and has also worked as a DJ on KUT and KUTX.

Early life and education John L. Hanson Jr. was born in Detroit, Michigan and grew up in a household where music was played regularly on the radio, including gospel, soul, western and rock and roll.

His father was a musician who played the trumpet which Hanson also learned to play. During his first year of football in high school, he would play with the school band at halftime while still wearing his football uniform. Hanson was also a track athlete. He also had a part-time position playing records on an afternoon radio show during the summer.

In Black America

KUT management approached Hanson about producing and hosting In Black America after the cancellation of Soul on FM.

When taking over In Black America, Hanson requested a travel budget so that he could interview people from outside Austin and expand the program to reflect Black America beyond the local Austin community.

His first interview after becoming host of In Black America was with Yolanda King, the daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. During over 45 years hosting, Hanson has interviewed hundreds of people, including Maya Angelou, John Lewis, Aretha Franklin, Lena Horne, Andrew Young, Joseph Lowery, Coretta Scott King, Bill Cosby, Arthur Ashe, Maulana Karenga, Les Payne and Joe Sample.

Hanson has said he prepares extensively for interviews, reading widely and trying to gather as much information as possible before an interview. He conducts interviews from the perspective of the audience and asks questions an average listener might ask.

Hanson has summarized his philosophy for In Black America as "My mantra is to educate and be educated". He has said that the program seeks to broaden understanding of the African American experience and provide a voice for people and communities he believes are sometimes overlooked by mainstream media.

During the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying civil unrest, Hanson intended for In Black America to focus on how those events affected African Americans and on the responses of government and business leaders.

According to a 2025 KUTX profile, he had hosted the program for 45 years. In discussing the program's legacy, Hanson said he hoped listeners would gain knowledge and come away believing that achievement was possible despite obstacles.

A 2020 KXAN story described Hanson as a "trusted voice" in the African American community and beyond and noted his distinctive place on Austin radio as both an interviewer and disc jockey. A 2025 Texas Standard profile characterized Hanson as "a legend and pioneer in radio and media" and noted some of his interviews with prominent figures.

Although he retired from KUT in 2011, he has continued producing and hosting In Black America.

KUTX and Old School Dance Party

Once a week Hanson deejays The Old School Dance Party, where he takes on the persona of a fun-loving disc jockey and calls himself "John E. Dee", (sometimes spelled "Jon E. Dee").

He began hosting the three hour music program on KUTX in February 2013, a month after KUT spun off its music-centric division to KUTX. It had been 33 years since he'd deejayed on Soul on FM.

Hanson has said that he brings his own CDs to the studio and scripts the first six songs before allowing the remainder of the program to flow.

He continues to host The Old School Dance Party broadcast every Friday afternoon from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on KUTX.

Personal life Hanson married Latischa M. Merritt and has two children, Kacey and Michael.

Awards and recognition Hanson's awards include: "Best DJ in Texas" by Texas Monthly magazine in 1976 Living Legends Award from The Villager Presidential Excellence Award from University of Texas at Austin