IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION recognizing The Call newspaper on the 102nd anniversary of its founding.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 20801, November 1, 2021
INTRODUCED BY Ronald E. Finley, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, The Call newspaper was founded in May 1919 by Chester A. Franklin, who served as the publisher and managing editor until his death in 1955; and,
WHEREAS, Mr. Franklin wanted to develop a newspaper that empowered the black community and advocated for self-reliance; and,
WHEREAS, Chester Franklin's vision was to give a voice to the voiceless, a philosophy that continues for all of The Call's publishers who have striven to call out racism and discrimination; and,
WHEREAS, under Mr. Franklin's guidance, The Call grew to become one of the largest black-owned and operated businesses in the Midwest, and among the six largest African American weekly newspapers in the country; and,
WHEREAS, following Mr. Franklin's death, Lucile Bluford, who had worked at the paper since her graduation from the University of Kansas School of Journalism in 1932, took over as editor and publisher; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Bluford was known as the matriarch and conscience of Kansas City, a reflection of her civil rights activism and opposition to segregation in education; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Bluford was honored for her contributions to journalism and to the region, including the recognition as Kansas Citian of the Year from the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and the Distinguished Service Award from the NAACP; and,
WHEREAS, Ms. Bluford paved the way for Donna Stewart to become the third publisher of The Call, serving until her death in 2020; and,
WHEREAS, today, Eric L. Wesson, Sr., continues the legacy and tradition imparted by Chester Franklin, Lucile Bluford, and Donna Stewart, serving as the current managing editor of The Call newspaper; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missour...
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