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photo by steed media service
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Publisher and CEO, The Atlanta Inquirer
Black owned and operated publications that not only highlight the
achievements of their own, but also educate people on issues that
directly affect them have played a large role in the shaping of African
American culture for many years. As one of the founding fathers of
black newspapers in the South, John B. Smith, The Atlanta Inquirer’s
publisher and CEO has always encouraged entrepreneurship among African
Americans as it relates to empowering one another and developing black
business leaders.
Smith, who also serves as chairman of the National Newspaper Publishers
Association (better known as the Black Press of America), has always
envisioned The Atlanta Inquirer as a prime example of what great things
can come when media outlets partner with communities and strengthen
those around them.
“Entrepreneurship and leadership are both important. One enhances the
other in terms of what it has to provide for the community as a whole,
especially when young people are concerned. That leadership should be
transformed and used for the betterment of our entire community,” he
says.
An upstanding individual who has always believed in honesty, Smith
makes it clear that he will continue to serve his community. “Young
people today don’t have image and status symbols, [or] goals and
objectives that are very positive, and as a retired educator, I just
feel [that] by following paths of greatness, they will have better or
more positive things to emulate,” he says. – jason thompson
