Congressman receives Legacy of Excellence Award at 70th Annual National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Convention

NEW YORK - America’s Black press returned to the historic roots of its founding this week as the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) held its 70th Annual Convention in New York City June 16-19.

Friday evening’s banquet gala was a star-studded affair, as NNPA honored Motown founder Berry Gordy and Congressman Charles Rangel with their Legacy of Excellence Award. Organizers called Rangel one of the “pioneering, most effective and productive African American legislative leaders in recent decades.”

Rangel thanked the organization for its tribute and for being on the frontlines of justice especially when no one else would take up the mantle of defending the rights of African Americans.

“The Black press has given voice to the otherwise voiceless and made visible the otherwise invisible since the founding of the first Black newspaper in New York City 283 years ago,” said Rangel. “Today, the NNPA continues to play a major role in fighting on behalf of the African American community—under the skillful and dynamic leadership of Los Angeles Sentinel publisher Danny Bakewell. “

Rangel credited the Black press with nurturing the careers of thousands of professionals in and around the journalism industry who were not afforded opportunities at mainstream publications. He also credited their advocacy with paving the road of success for African American legislative leaders like himself, at every level of government.

“Without those journals, without those pioneering and courageous editors, there would be no Congressional Black Caucus, no Deval Patrick in the State House, and no Barack Obama in the White House,” said the 20-term Congressman from Upper Manhattan. “Certainly, there might not have been a Charlie Rangel.”

Rangel lamented how despite the achievements of African Americans in mainstream society, recent economic and industry developments had left many Black newspapers across the nation struggling to survive. He encouraged the larger community to get involved supporting these courageous publications.

“Why is it that we have to struggle so hard to get our fair share of ad revenues from the very governments we elect, the political parties we support, and the industries that our people invest in so well,” said Rangel. “We need to remind everyone — with our words and our wallets — that this country cannot continue to improve and make good on the promise of our democracy without a strong and vibrant Black press.