This two-volume biographical encyclopedia chronicles the success stories and considerable strides made by over 240 African American media figures from newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and the Internet.

The history of African Americans in the news media is a relatively recent story of firsts. Consider Dorothy Gilliam, who in 1961 became the first black woman reporter hired by The Washington Post, or Bob Herbert, who in 1993 became the first black columnist at The New York Times, or even Mark Whitaker, who in 1998 became the first black editor of one of America's three major newsweeklies, Newsweek. These are just a few of the trailblazers who overcame obstacles to rise to the highest echelons of the media world. Prior to the 1960s, however, African Americans working for the predominantly white media were few and far between. After the subsiding of the dramatic civil rights demonstrations that shook most of America out of complacent acceptance of the status quo, the hiring of African-American news people slowed for a time before accelerating in the 1970, gaining real speed in the 1980s and 1990s. By the dawning of the new millennium, African Americans in the news media had achieved a sort of critical mass. This two-volume biographical encyclopedia chronicles the success stories and considerable strides made by over 240 African American media figures from newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and the Internet. The most influential and often groundbreaking reporters, columnists, editors, publishers, broadcasters, and even talk show hosts are all included here. Each in-depth biography discusses the individual's achievements and struggles along with more personal and career information. Numerous primary source documents-including newspaper and magazine articles, columns, and radio and television transcripts-give readers first-hand accounts from the newsrooms. Unlike other reference workscurrently available, this timely encyclopedia emphasizes those African Americans who are currently working in the news media. Among the featured: BLBob Herbert, syndicated columnist, The New York Times BLRichard D. Parsons, CEO, Time Warner BLLeonard Pitts, syndicated columnist, Tribune Media Services BLClarence Page, syndicated columnist, Chicago Tribune BLStanley Crouch, columnist, New York Daily News BLDerrick Johnson, columnist, The Boston Globe BLEd Bradley, correspondent, 60 Minutes on CBS BLLester Holt, anchor and show host, MSNBC BLCharlayne Hunter-Gault, foreign correspondent, NPR BLGwen Ifill, correspondent and moderator, PBS BLRobert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television BLByron Pitts, national correspondent, CBS news BLAlfred Edmond, editor-in-chief, Black Enterprise Magazine BLMark Whitaker, editor, Newsweek BLLinda Johnson-Rice, publisher, Johnson Publishing Company BLKevin Blackistone, sports columnist, The Dallas Morning News BLRobin Roberts, sportscaster, anchor, ABC and ESPN BLOprah Winfrey, show host, ABC actress, producer, magazine publisher BLMichelle Norris, host of All Things Considered on NPR. A timeline, comprehensive introduction, numerous photos, and an extensive bibliography of print and electronic sources for further reading are included, making this encyclopedia a valuable reference for teachers and students interested in understanding the impact and significance of African Americans in the news media today.

This two-volume biographical encyclopedia chronicles the success stories and considerable strides made by over 240 African American media figures from newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and the Internet.

The media's treatment of and interaction with race, like race itself, is one of the most sensitive areas hi American society. Whether hi its coverage and treatment of racial matters or racial connections inside media organizations themselves, mass communication is deeply involved with race. The Media in Black and White brings together twenty journalists and scholars, of various racial backgrounds, to grapple with a controversial issue: the role that media industries, from advertising to newspapers to the information superhighway, play in helping Americans understand race. Contributors include Ellis Cose, a contributing editor for Newsweek; Manning Marable, chairman of Columbia University's African-American Research Center; William Wong, a columnist for the Oakland Tribune; Lisa Penaloza, a University of Illinois professor; and Melita Marie Garza, a Chicago Tribune reporter. Among the topics discussed are: the quality of reporting on immigrant issues; how sensationalism may be deepening the chasm of misunderstanding between the races; how the coverage of America's drug wars has been marked by racism; and whether politically correct language is interfering with coverage of vital issues and problems. The contributors of The Media in Black and White hope to broaden the narrow vision of the United States and the world beyond with their contributions to the debate over race and the media. The commentary found hi this important work will be of interest to sociologists, communication specialists, and black studies scholars.

Reproduction of the original: Southern Horrors: Lynch Law in All Its Phases by Ida B. Wells-Barnett

The Obama presidency represented a major milestone in African American history. The very presence of a black First Family had a profound cultural impact, but did the Obama White House actually addressed any of the ongoing issues faced by Black America? Did communities of color organized sufficiently to voice their concerns? How could lessons learned from past freedom struggles guide the organizing that's needed to meet today's opportunities and challenges? To explore these questions in depth, international journalist Joanne Griffith traveled the country to interview black intellectuals, activists, authors, and educators, including former advisor to former President Obama, Van Jones; civil rights advocate and litigator, Michelle Alexander; economist, Julianne Malveaux; and friend and speech writer for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Vincent Harding. The result was a wide-ranging exploration of the hot-button issues facing America today, from economics, education and the law, to the cultural impact of mass media. Timely and rich in personal wisdom, Redefining Black Power connects the dots between past freedom struggles and the future of black civic and cultural life in the United States. "Redefining Black Power [was] an important, historical rumination on race, class, power and politics in the Age of Obama. The conversations . . . are thoughtful, probing, nuanced insights into the state of African American political power at this historic moment. The book raises challenging questions, but rather than offer definitive answers, it provokes the reader to personally define 'Black power' and inspires all of us to continue the work of 'deepening the meaning of democracy.'" —Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights "Joanne Griffith is a superb journalist! She writes, speaks, and interviews with great skill, sincerity, and sensitivity to those she covers. Joanne has made it in a tough journalism world -- one where the white males, working for wealthy news organizations, have the advantages. Her writings and insights are a lesson to all. She reflects President Obama's spirited call of 'fired up, ready to go!'" —Connie Lawn, Senior White House Correspondent (since 1968) "International broadcast journalist Griffith draws on the archives of radio interviews with black intellectuals to offer a perspective on how the election of the nation's first black president has changed notions of black power and ideas of a multicultural democracy. . . . Griffith provides context for each excerpted interview, adding to the texture of the analysis of changing perspectives on contemporary black power." —Booklist "Griffith concludes by wondering if progressives have been 'lulled into a satisfied slumber' by Obama's election, and whether Dr. King’s ambitions have been betrayed by this complacency. Multifaceted discussions regarding the challenges faced by African-Americans during the Obama presidency." —Kirkus Review Joanne Griffith is an award winning international broadcast journalist who has reported, produced and hosted programs for the British Broadcasting Corporation, National Public Radio and the Pacifica Radio Network. Joanne has spent her career telling the stories of tragedy and triumph throughout the African Diaspora; from voting rights in the United States, the legacy of slavery in the Caribbean, the contribution of immigrants to the United Kingdom and the politics of food and power in southern Africa.