(Left to right) Judge Tyrone K.Yates, who officiated the swearing in of officers: Karen Carter Richards, NNPA Chair and publisher of the Houston Forward Times; and Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., NNPA President and CEO (NNPA)
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Contributor
“We are the Black Press of America, the National Newspaper Publishers Association, so when I ask are you down with O.B.P., I am talking about letting people know that we are the Original Black Press, and we aren’t going anywhere,” said newly Elected NNPA Chair, Karen Cater Richards, publisher of the Houston Forward Times.
JULY 1, 2019, CINCINNATI, OHIO– The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the national trade organization that represents African American newspapers and media companies, known as the Black Press of America, has elected new officers and a Board of Directors to guide the storied 79-year-old organization for the next two years.
The voting took place during the NNPA national convention in Cincinnati on Friday, June 28, 2019. In an overwhelming mandate from the publishers who voted at the convention, Houston Forward Times Publisher Karen Carter Richards easily won election as the organization’s new Chair.
The mandate extended to include the other newly elected officers:
1st Vice Chair: Janis L. Ware, Publisher of Atlanta Voice
2nd Vice Chair: Fran Farrer, Publisher of The County News
Secretary: Jackie Hampton, Publisher of The Mississippi Link
Treasurer: Brenda Andrews, Publisher of New Journal & Guide
Directors At-Large: Sonceria (Sonny) Messiah, Publisher of the Houston Defender and James Washington, Publisher of the Dallas Weekly
“It’s time for a new vision and leadership that goes beyond where we used to be,” Carter Richards said.
“We are the Black Press of America, the National Newspaper Publishers Association, so when I ask are you down with O.B.P., I am talking about letting people know that we are the Original Black Press, and we aren’t going anywhere,” she said.
“I was pleased that we as members of the Black Press could move forward with renewed energy and I am thankful that the membership selected me to serve, and as a member of the new executive team and I will not let them down,” said Secretary Jackie Hampton.
Since its founding, NNPA has consistently been the voice of the Black community and an incubator for news that makes history and impacts the nation.
As the largest and most influential Black-owned media resource in the world, the Black Press of America delivers news, information, and commentary to the more than 47 million African Americans and others from all backgrounds each week. Now in its 49th year, NNPA member resources, including newspapers, websites, digital assets and evolving social media presence are trusted information resources both domestically and internationally.
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., civil rights icon and President and CEO of the NNPA emphasized, “Karen Carter Richards is a strong, gifted, freedom-fighting publisher. We are all blessed to have her as our Chair as we respond to the challenges and opportunities facing Black America and all people of African descent throughout the Diaspora.”
