|
|
The Glover Report
Baltimore's Black PR & Media Specialists
 The 20th century gave root to some very profound Black voices that distinctly impacted the way people of African descent were perceived by the larger society. Their monumental literary and oratorical accomplishments bring character and depth to a 400 year-old struggle.
Consider W. E. B. DuBois, the internationally-renowned, Harvard-educated Pan-Africanist who founded the NAACP's "The Crisis" publication and authored many books and articles on the plight of Africans worldwide. And there is also Dr. Manning P. Marable, the distinguished Columbia University Director/Professor, whose column - "Along the Color Line" - appears in some 350 publications across the world.
Don't forget about Thomas C. Fleming, the 92 year-old co-founder of San Francisco's Black weekly, the Sun-Reporter newspaper, who has helped set the standard on Black reporting. And, please, let's certainly be mindful of the dean himself, Washington-based author/National Press Club honoree/television commentator/radio commentator/ nationally syndicated columnist - Carl T. Rowan.
However, as the new millennium dawns with glaring possibilities on the horizon, there is also a "next generation" breed of journalists and information specialists to tell the story and carry on the work. And they have more tools than ever before at their disposal, so as to more effectively tell the good news of the entire community. Please, no disrespect to those ancestral icons who set the standard for detailing the advancements of Blacks. They should be revered for grabbing the baton from individuals like David Walker (David Walker's Appeal published in September 1829 - during the period of US slavery) and Frederick Douglass (statesman, historian, abolitionist and author of the seminal work - The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass).
 The time has simply come for their 'offspring' to step up to the plate and continue telling the "story of the lion" such that the likes of DuBois, Marable, Fleming and Rowan can rest assured that they too have successfully passed the torch of truth. Baltimore - in particular - has a plethora of emerging writers, radio voices, web masters, PR specialists and TV personalities of African American descent. And, they are poised to "get the word out" and relay to the masses all of the news and information that's fit to present.
They fervently use the modern tools of communication so as to provide others with - in the words of Lauryn Hill - "access to education, access to opportunity, access to love." Clearly, these Baltimore-based media and PR professionals are proudly mindful of where they come from, where they are, and the struggle it took to get them there. Clearly, they know what it is liked to be pulled over simply because of the color of one's skin. Clearly, they have a first-hand understanding of the plight of Black America.
These professionals maintain sensitivity to the truth with respect to the Black community. Despite the invisible fence that always seems to castigate Blacks and ostracize them from the opportunities provided for the larger society, these men and women continue working to advance the race. Even though some are even unfairly held to a higher standard where they must be three and four times as good as their counterparts to remain on staff - they get the job done.
Too often, the mainstream media presents the drudgery of Black communities: "See who got killed on the 6 o'clock news!" "Young Black males dressed in all black." "Did you hear about all of the drug activity over there?" The men and women mentioned in this column, however, do their best to celebrate the richness, the greatness, and heritage therein. This is what urban communities need: to feel good about themselves by observing the luster of past achievements on a regular basis. The hope is that this will help propel the constructive efforts of the present.
The people - especially the children - need constant images of positive examples by which their lives can be modeled and positively influenced. Someone must remind them and the rest of the world of the historical successes of: Black hair care millionaires Madame C. J. Walker; Tulsa's 36-square block "Black Wall Street" with some 600 Black-owned businesses; and the once-thriving Black community in Florida after which the movie "Rosewood" was named. Similarly, someone must tell the more contemporary story of the financial success of Baltimore-born financial giant and Dunbar alumni - the late Reginald Lewis - who orchestrated the historic corporate takeover of TLC Beatrice.
Someone must promote individuals like Edmonson Village's Nathan Chapman of The Chapman Company who has an office on the top floor of the Baltimore World Trade Center as well as several other office locations across the US. Someone must write the feature story of Mosher Street's Kevin Davis of The May Davis Group who has offices in Baltimore and New York, and Eddie Brown of Brown Capital Management who manages some $5 billion in investments.
If all children see is news and images of murder and drugs, pain and suffering - they might grow up thinking that this is the way life should be. Unless someone promotes these and other examples of persistence and self-determination, such youth could enter adulthood with the notion that somebody owes them something, and that hard work is meaningless.
In light of copy editors and news directors and hectic schedules, Black media professionals deliver news and information with integrity and diligence. In lieu of deadlines and intermittent phone calls and repeated requests for exposure, these true professionals maneuver the hands of time so as to promote the brighter side of the Black community and inner-city neighborhoods. Thoroughly and collectively, they continue a legacy that goes back longer than most know or remember - using their voice, their pen, their paintbrush, their keyboard, etc. to disseminate news and information to the people.
An emerging journalist and PR consultant myself, it has been my experience to learn from them all, so as to better understand the craft. Besides, there is nothing greater than having someone close who can show one the ropes, warn of challenges ahead, and share their experiences.
Through their delivery - and more importantly - community involvement, these information specialists tell the story of the people. And, in my best estimation, they do it with love. While the following are but a few of Baltimore's ministers of information, there are many, many others who join them. Kudos to them all, for their work is truly appreciated by the community, and the larger society as well.
Thank you, for your wisdom, and please keep telling the story of the lion!
Back to top
about STL l About Doni Glover l The Glover Report
Simmba l Intra-Community Beat l Roots & Culture
The Observer l Networker l Urban Diaspora
Contact Us
©2000 Sandtown Live. All Rights Reserved.
Web Design by The Camera-Ready Cafe`
|
