Nothing predestined him to succeed in the field of bodybuilding, and yet, despite the prejudices of the time, Chris Dickerson will have succeeded in establishing himself as one of the most influential figures in muscle culture.
His mother, an inspiring role model:
Chris Dickerson was born on August 25, 1939, in the heart of Alabama, 
of African American parentage. He arrived at a time when segregation and racism against African Americans were still prevalent. After the 1929 economic crisis and despite the New Deal, discrimination persisted in access to employment and in the division of labor. With the outbreak of World War II, some African Americans enlisted in the army to gain a degree of economic security. But even there, segregation persisted. The situation for African American women was hardly more enviable. Factory jobs were reserved for white women, and Black women were relegated to the status of domestic servants.
But despite the pervasive racism of the time, Chris Dickerson's mother, Mahala Ashley Dickerson will pass on to her son, from a very young age, the taste for success. She explains to him that some people might remind him of his skin color, but that determination overcomes all prejudices. And beyond words, Mahala Ashley Dickerson would embody this strength by becoming the first Black female lawyer in Alabama and subsequently, the second Black woman admitted to the Indiana Bar in 1951.
Mahala Ashley Dickerson will be a true role model for her son.. Chris will then acquire this unwavering determination which will prove, over the years, to be his best ally on the path to recognition.
Muscles for a stronger voiceÂ
At school, Chris excels in athletics. However, despite his aptitude for sports, Chris is primarily passionate about singing. His dream: to become an opera singer.
He therefore steered his university studies towards drama. In New York, he enrolled at the Academy of Dramatic Arts. However, his voice lacked intensity, and his singing teacher advised him to develop his vocal muscles to gain more power.
Around the same time, Chris visited his aunt in California where he stumbled, quite by chance, upon a photo of Bill Pearl in a bodybuilding magazine. Seeing Bill Pearl's physique, Chris then becomes aware of the impact such a physique has. Â Â Â
Chris would remain deeply affected and captivated by this photo. So fascinated, that he even went so far as to sign up at Bill Pearl's gym, in Los Angeles. He wants to learn directly from the master and also get to know the man better. Faced with Chris's determined persistence, Bill Pearl then decided to train him..
A tenacious optimism, for a place in bodybuilding:
Chris began his intense training at the age of 24. He was aware that the road ahead would be difficult. Chris is Black and gay, and racism and homophobia are even more prevalent in his environment. Furthermore, Chris is smaller than most bodybuilders.
Chris was fully aware that he would encounter problems because of his skin color and sexual orientation. He possessed, however, a mental strength that allowed him to withstand such criticism. Nevertheless, he had some reservations about his height, which directly impacted his bodybuilding abilities.
But despite these factors, Chris's optimism was tenacious. So tenacious, in fact, that two years later, in 1965, he entered his first competition: Mr. Long Beach. On his very first attempt, he won 3rd place.e Chris is more than satisfied with his ranking.
This first experience then prompted him the following year to register for 12 competitions on the East Coast. The result is astounding, as he wins them all.
With such success in 1966, Chris Dickerson began to grace the covers of bodybuilding magazines. He sported a very aesthetic and perfectly symmetrical physique.
Riding high on his titles, Chris now sets his sights on Mr. America. To best prepare, he decides to once again call upon his idol: Bill Pearl. However, he only manages to place 6th.e place, in 1967. But it takes much more to shake Chris Dickerson. He perseveres.
And in 1970, he won the prestigious titles of Mr. Universe and Mr. America. He became the first African American with such titles. A more than honorable distinction!
Chris Dickerson gradually made his mark in bodybuilding. For several years, he won several titles in UAE and NABBA competitions.
But Chris Dickerson hasn't finished provoking his audience and industry professionals yet, since at 40, he decided to participate in the most prestigious competition, the one for Mr. Olympia.
Forty is considered an advanced age for competitions. Bodybuilders usually retire at that age. But Dickerson is motivated and nothing will change his mind.
He therefore competed in 1980 for the Mr. Olympia title. He finished in second place, behind Arnold The defending champion, ahead of Frank Zane, Chris remained optimistic and entered the competition again the following year, once more finishing in second place.
And then came the crowning achievement, in 1983 when he finally won the title of Mr. Olympia. Chris Dickerson definitively enters the history of Bodybuilding by becoming the first African American, gay man to win the most illustrious title. And the oldest of the Mr. Olympia, since he was 43 years old when he obtained it.
Chris Dickerson, like his admirable mother, has managed to overcome the toughest prejudices of homophobia and racism and become a bodybuilding star.
Where others would have given up, Chris Dickerson succeeded. His journey proves that no matter how long it takes, hard work always pays off.
I wasn't familiar with this one. It's not huge, but I think it's quite symmetrical. We learn something new every day on your blog.