"After we worked all day at this one bar, my crew wanted to get a beer. When we all sat at the bar, the bartender told us they couldn’t serve Negros (said with a deep southern accent). No kidding. They refused me service, including drinks or food.""[Orange County] Sheriff McCall ... surveyed the crowd of news reporters and looked at me. He turned back (to) his assistant, and I heard him say, “What is that”, pointing at me. "In the early 1970s, Talbert Gray was the first black television news reporter in Florida. He faced the racial barriers and broke through them, and he continued to challenge the norms, adding to his list of "firsts" for decades to come.Talbert’s accomplishments go beyond breaking racial barriers, to owning radio stations and making his mark in journalism. His story presents a compelling and motivational narration of accomplishment and achievement."First Through The Fire", edited by Tim Trott, is more than a biography of Talbert Gray; it's a rallying cry for individuals to rise above adversity and make their own mark in a world filled with racial barriers and stereotypes. It is a powerful message of resilience, determination, and success.