In one of his last columns for the Amsterdam News, Jonathan P. Hicks did as he had always done—provide readers with the best information, this time on the outbreak of the Ebola virus. “It would be encouraging for the United States to do even more than Obama announced,” he wrote. “Without some significant intervention, it’s likely the Ebola crisis in West Africa will mushroom beyond anyone’s ability to control.”
Hicks’ timely advice and compassionate concern will be missed. The award-winning journalist made his transition Monday, according to a press release from Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
“Jonathan had a personal impact on me, encouraging me to follow my dreams, stay confident in myself and to aspire for greatness,” Diaz wrote without disclosing any details about the cause of death. “These words were especially powerful coming from someone who I thought should only care about the powers that be. Instead, in what I later realized was that, in classic Jonathan Hicks fashion, he cared more about inspiring a young father and college student working as a messenger, urging me to stay in school and provide for my family.”
Funeral Services for Jonathan Hicks
A wake will be held Friday, November 14, 2014 at Bethany Baptist Church, 460 Marcus Garvey Blvd, Brooklyn, NY 11216, Reverend Adolphus C. Lacey, pastor. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Kappa Alpha Psi service will begin at 7 p.m. and the wake proper will begin at 7:30.
The Funeral Services will be held Saturday, November 15, 2014 at The Abyssinian Baptist Church, 132 Odell Clark Place, New York, NY 10030. The final viewing begins at 9:00 AM and the Celebration of Life service will begin promptly at 10:00 AM. Reverend Calvin O. Butts, III will officiate the service and will deliver the eulogy.
Other families and his own were important staples for a journalist with more than a generation at his mission, and the splendid details of his career and other endeavors are fully listed on the Hicks family website. There we learn of his many commitments, institutional ties and organizational obligations he seemed to cherish.
Along with his column at the AmNews, he was a senior national correspondent with BET, and for nearly 25 years, he worked for The New York Times, where he covered the politics of New York and New York City. “During that time, he developed a reputation as one of the foremost authorities on the inner workings of the political culture in New York City and New York state. He has been a frequent guest on local radio and television news programs, where he regularly offered political analysis and commentary,” the family’s website reported.
Hicks was a prolific writer and the author of the Politics 5-B column for the Times’ website. After leaving the Times, he worked as a senior fellow at the DuBois Bunche Center for Public Policy at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn. He also co-edited “From Disaster to Diversity: What’s Next for New York City’s Economy,” a collection of essays by a number of prominent New Yorkers, published by the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy. As a scriptwriter, he wrote “Back Door Channels: The Price of Peace,” a documentary film that examined the behind-the-scenes events that led to the historic Camp David meeting between Egypt, Israel and the United States. The film was selected to open the 2009 Monte Carlo Television Festival.
Among the number of organizations that benefited from his wise counsel and advice was the Marcus Graham Project, a nonprofit organization that helps develop the next generation of leadership within the advertising, media and marketing industries. He also served as a member of the transition committee for New York City Comptroller John C. Liu.
Numerous, too, were the awards he accumulated in his well-traveled journalistic career, with stops in Cleveland, St. Louis and elsewhere, including those from the New York Association of Black Journalists for commentary writing as well as one for public service writing. He also received a New York Times’ Publishers Award and awards for excellence in journalism from the New York Chapter of the National Black MBA Association and from the Arizona Press Association.
The family’s expansive website provides additional information about his remarkable life: “Mr. Hicks has also been a guest lecturer at a number of colleges and universities, including the London School of Printing, Columbia University, Swarthmore College, Southern University and the University of Missouri. He has also been a member of the visiting faculty at the Maynard Institute Summer Program for Minority Journalists at the University of California at Berkeley and the Century Foundation’s Century Institute Summer Program at Williams College.
“Before coming to the Times, Mr. Hicks was a business reporter for the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, where he covered a wide range of topics, from labor to manufacturing. Prior to that, he was a general assignment reporter at the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson, where he had previously been an announcer at a National Public Radio affiliate station. He has been involved in a number of philanthropic issues. He served for four years as chairman of the Kappa Alpha Psi New York Foundation, a role in which he helped raise $250,000 for scholarships for college-bound students in New York City. He also served for five years as the editor of the Kappa Alpha Psi Journal, a quarterly national magazine.
“Mr. Hicks’ family lived in Monrovia while his father, John Henry Hicks, a former journalist and former United States diplomat, served at the American embassy in Liberia. John Hicks, who was the first African-American reporter at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, supervised the operation of the United States Information Service’s library in downtown Monrovia and hosted a weekly public affairs program on ELBC Radio in Monrovia. It was during that time that Jonathan Hicks formed a connection with Liberia and its people that would last throughout his life.
“In the fall of 2009, Jonathan Hicks traveled to Liberia on a grant from the Ford Foundation to write articles and produce broadcasts about the redevelopment of the country following the 14-year civil war that ended in 2003. He was also charged with laying the groundwork for a training program for professional and aspiring journalists there. While in Liberia, he was a guest lecturer in the mass communications department at the University of Liberia. After meeting so many talented and committed students who had few resources, he determined that there was a need to support those students, who would become the country’s next generation of journalists, through scholarships and mentoring opportunities.”
No funeral or plans for a memorial service were available at press time.
Messages of condolences have flooded both the AmNews offices offices and all social media.
“I am saddened by the transition of journalist Jonathan P. Hicks and offer my prayers for comfort and healing to his family, friends and fans during this difficult time,” said Council Member Jumaane Williams. “As an award-winning journalist, he became one of the foremost authorities on the inner workings of the political culture in this city and state, and served as a source of pride for the African-American and Caribbean community and an inspiration to a generation of journalists of color. Jonathan’s dignified, intelligent and professional approach to his craft set an example for our entire community.”
“We send our condolences to the family of Jonathan Hicks,” said Elinor Tatum, editor-in-chief and publisher of the Amsterdam News. “We remember Jonathan as a dedicated journalist, who even in his last few weeks strove to fulfill his commitment to send in his popular column. It was an honor to have him write for us. He will be missed.”
“The staff of the Amsterdam News is shocked and saddened over the passing of our colleague Jonathan Hicks,” said Nayaba Arinde, Amsterdam News editor. “He was a conscientious writer, a tremendous asset to the world of journalism, in which he worked tirelessly to bring truth, analysis and uncovered angles to a story. He was brave to the end, informing us on October 15 that he would no longer be writing for us: ‘I am sorry to say that I am coming to the end of the road, gradually. The cancer has been growing in the liver and there doesn’t seem to be much time.’
“We were heartbroken but immensely impressed by his courage. Thankfully, we still have his words, his wisdom, and for those who ever heard him, we can cherish his beautiful singing voice. Thank you, Jonathan. Rest in peace.”
Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson told the AmNews, “I had the greatest respect and admiration for Jonathan Hicks, who blessed me by singing with his group at my inauguration back in February. Jonathan Hicks was a giant among men, an extraordinarily gifted writer who was deeply concerned about the plight of people all across the world, from Brooklyn to Liberia. He was a shining example of great intellect, courage and dignity and truly will be missed.’”
