It’s a new day for The Birmingham Times and its founder
Dr. Jesse J. Lewis Sr., publisher emeritus of The Birmingham Times, started his public relations firm in 1954. The national Museum of Public Relations in New York is honoring Lewis as one of nine black PR pioneers, alongside figures such as Frederick Douglass and Bayard Rustin. (file)
Dr. Jesse J. Lewis Sr. will be honored tomorrow night at The Lyric Theatre for his historic accomplishments in publishing a weekly newspaper in the Magic City – The Birmingham Times. Members of the community will be on hand to pay tribute to Lewis. The fundraiser, called “Through the Lens,” starts at 7 p.m. and will feature more announcements about the evolution of the newspaper and a concert by The Temptations Review featuring Fairfield native Dennis Edwards.
The paper launched a new chapter last month as it was sold to the Foundation for Progress in Journalism (FPJ).
Lewis founded the weekly newspaper more than 50 years ago during the civil rights movement to create a solution for a need in his community.
That need was to spotlight African Americans and the positive things happening in their own backyards.
Alabama NewsCenter’s Keisa Sharpe sat down and talked to Dr. Lewis about the sale of The Birmingham Times and what’s next for him.
Dr. Jesse J. Lewis Sr:. A new day for The Birmingham Times from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.
