I Messenger this was the formula for when preparation meets opportunity. Were there some reservations on my part? Not really. Here was an opportunity to put my passion and skills to work. Also, I didn’t believe that newspapers were a dying breed. Instead I believed that here was an opportunity to be more of a voice for the voiceless and to have a serious impact on the coverage and narratives presented. This coverage is definitely needed today as we navigate through the “fake news” narratives. I also wanted an opportunity to build a multi-media organization where collaborations could increase the number of beneficiaries of solid, ethical journalism. Here was a chance to provide informative, enlightening, inspiring and yes, entertaining news and commentary. As I set about working and assembling award-winning journalists, sales professionals, graphics designers, web gurus, financial and legal strategists, hard-hitting columnists, interns, honest distributors and others; my team has continued to grow and increase public awareness. I also worked feverishly to secure clients, ie. Advertisers and subscribers who would support quality journalism. Enter Mollie Belt, Publisher of the Dallas Examiner. Mrs. Belt
immediately offered her support and encouraged my participation in two organizations I was very familiar with, the National Newspapers Publishers Association and the Texas Publishers Association (TPA). Although some might consider us to be competitors, Mrs. Belt has been one of my strongest supporters. She wrote letters of recommendation and spoke in my behalf as I sought membership in these prestigious organizations. As a long-time member and currently the National Secretary of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) I have numerous connections around the world. I value those memberships and am committed to ensuring that these relationships are mutually beneficial. What Mrs. Belt has shown by her actions, as well as those actions of others like her; that where there is unity, there is strength and you benefit from lifting as you climb. Over the years, I have learned that you don’t have to be the only one in the game and you can help others thrive and grow. Emma Rodgers and Ashira Toshiwe are also models for the lifting as you climb mantra. As the owners of Black Images Book Bazaar, the two had no problem introducing their customers to the book stores in the
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area and across the country. With other member publishers, like my FAMU classmate Bobby Henry of the Westside Gazette, Shirley Gray of the Dallas Post Tribune, Denise Rolark Barnes of the Washington Informer, Janis Ware and Jim Washington of the Atlanta Voice; and NNPA leadership from President Dr. Ben Chavis who I used to interview on KKDA-AM back in the day, and Chairman Dorothy Leavell; I am looking forward to a great ride. After all, we’re all soldiers without swords and together, with the other more than 200 publications, we are going to continue telling those stories. Stick with us. We’re here for you. I’m ready for the journey. I will make those who believe in me proud. I just wish my friend, NABJ Journalist of the Year, George E. Curry were around to share it with me.
George E. Curry February 23, 1947 – August 20, 2016