NNPA Foundation Honors Charles Tisdale and Paul Redd During Black Press Week

April 13, 2014

NNPA Foundation Honors Charles Tisdale and Paul Redd during Black Press Week

charles  tisdale
Charles Tisdale
paul redd
Paul Redd

Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from Target Market News

(TriceEdneyWire.com) The National Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation has inducted publishers Charles Tisdale of the Jackson Advocate and M. Paul Redd of the Westchester County Press into its Gallery of Distinguished Black Publishers. The ceremony took place at the NNPAF's annual Black Press Week activities in Washington, D.C. last  month.

Charles Tisdale was much more than a publisher and radio show host. He was a civil rights advocate clothed as a newspaper publisher. His genuine concern about the welfare of all Jackson, MS, citizens led to his outspokenness about both black and white elected officials. Backlash often resulted in personal death threats and brutality against his publication, which was firebombed on more than one occasion. As host of a radio talk show on WMPR, Tisdale often took elected officials to task for not effectively serving their communities.

Tisdale purchased the Jackson Advocate in 1978 from Percy Green, the newspaper's first owner. The Jackson Advocate is the oldest Black-owned newspaper in Mississippi. Born November 5, 1926, the Athens, AL, native died on July 8, 2007 while undergoing dialysis.

Westchester County Press publisher, Paul Redd's passion for eradicating racism and bigotry inspired many to pursue careers in public service. He made such a powerful impact in the region that on January 9, 2009, Mayor Clinton Young, Jr. declared a day of mourning and remembrance in the City of Mount Vernon, NY to pay homage to the life and legacy of Redd.

His "M. Paul Tells All" column reminded Hudson Valley readers of Redd's "tell-it-like it-is" persona and candidness. His vision was to see others achieve the American Dream. Redd was born on August 11, 1928 in Martinsville, VA. He died of complications from a massive heart attack in 2009.

With the theme "Access to Economic Empowerment," the enshrinement ceremony memorializing Tisdale and Redd was part of several planned Black Press Week. Other activities included a State of the Black Press Luncheon at the National Press Club; a special Black Press & The Pulpit breakfast and a visit to the White House.