The Portland Observer is one of the oldest African-American newspapers in Oregon.[2][3][4] Established in 1970, it is published weekly[5] (on Wednesdays), in Portland, Oregon. Rev. Alfred L. Henderson founded the paper in the 1970s, in the tradition of the People's Observer, a 1940s publication that had ceased publication in 1950.[6] That paper also originally went by the name of "Portland Observer."[6]
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| Type | Weekly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Founder(s) | Mark Washington Sr.[1] |
| Publisher | Mark Washington[1] |
| Editor | Michael Leighton[1] |
| Headquarters | 4747 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Portland, OR 97211[1] |
| City | Portland, Oregon |
| Country | United States |
| Website | portlandobserver |
| Free online archives | University of Oregon Libraries |
Historic Portland Observer
editThe Portland Observer was launched by William H. McClendonn in 1938, but due to the Great Depression, folded in 1939.[7]
Another paper had the same title in Portland, Michigan, from 1876 into the 20th century.[8][9]
Post-1980s
editAfter several changes in ownership, the Washington family acquired the paper in the 1980s, during which Joyce Washington helmed the publication. Upon her death, Washington's son Charles "Chuck" Washington, a Portland native and a graduate of Jefferson High School, briefly took over as publisher until his death in December 2012.[2] The paper was then passed on to Mark Washington who controls the paper today. Portland politician, radio host, restaurateur, and veteran Bruce Broussard has held a leadership position at the paper.[10] Additionally, Albert Williams is currently the general manager of the Portland Observer and is involved in many aspects including hiring, editing, writing, advertising, and editing.[11] In their website, they state their key focus of bringing stories focused on "education, health, politics, and law and justice" to their readers.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Contact Us". The Portland Observer. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ^ a b Tims, Dana (December 10, 2012). "Charles Washington, longtime Portland Observer publisher, dies at age 60". The Oregonian. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ^ "Portland Observer Publisher Charles Washington, 1951-2012". The Skanner. December 11, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
- ^ Brenner, Sammy (December 10, 2012). "Charles Washington, Publisher Of Portland Observer, Is Dead". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
- ^ Sabatier, Julie (December 10, 2012). "Remembering Charles Washington". Think Out Loud. Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ^ a b Stan Fonseca. "William McClendon (1915–1996)". The Oregon Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
- ^ "Portland Observer | Historic Black Newspapers of Portland | Portland State University". pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
- ^ "New P. M. Paper for Lansing". Editor and Publisher. Duncan McIntosh. January 15, 1921. p. 38. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
- ^ "Portland Observer". Chronicling America. Retrieved 2021-02-23.
- ^ Perry, Douglas (August 4, 2016). "Oregon Libertarian Party seeks to raise profile with long-time Republican's endorsement". The Oregonian. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
- ^ White, Brian (September 14, 1987). "Black newspapers add to media". Portland Business Journal. 4.
- ^ "Committed to Cultural Diversity | The Portland Observer". portlandobserver.com. Retrieved 2020-02-29.