photo by steed media service

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

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