Running a successful newspaper requires superb leadership. With a century-long legacy of serving the Black community of New York City, the New York Amsterdam News credits its longevity to the diligence and recent innovations of its staff, guided by the vision of Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Elinor R. Tatum.
“The Black press knows how to be nimble. They know how to do a lot with a little. As we have seen very recently, they know how to transform themselves, and they know how to move with the times, as is evident with the work and transformation that the New York Amsterdam News has done most recently with our digital transformation.” Tatum said.
Since assuming the role of publisher and editor-in-chief in 1997, Tatum spearheaded several initiatives that have transformed the current AmNews newsroom today. Transitioning from typewriters to computers and exploring social media platforms, the AmNews stepped into a new era that embraced digitization. Multiple groundbreaking collaborations and units emerged under Tatum’s leadership, including the news collaborative “Word in Black”; “Blacklight,” the first Investigative unit within a legacy Black publisher; and the gun violence prevention initiative, “Beyond the Barrel of the Gun” —all showcasing her influential legacy.
Word in Black is a collaborative effort between ten of the nation’s legendary Black newspapers. Tatum said she came up with the idea of Word in Black in 2021 after the murder of George Floyd.
“It’s something that we worked very hard on to not only bolster the journalism in our own newspaper—because it has helped in that regard and has funded positions in our own newsrooms—but also for the collective benefit of our communities,” she said.
Word in Black now functions as its own organization, separate from the leading newspapers, creating its own newsletter and producing original content and journalism.
Blacklight, the AmNews investigative unit, is another successful project that blossomed under Tatum’s guidance. The unit focuses on exposing wrongdoing and tackling issues that affect communities of color. Its visionary program, “Beyond the Barrel of the Gun,” aims to address and reduce gun violence within Black and brown communities.
Observing and contributing to the growth and development of the newsroom for nearly 30 years, Tatum said she is most proud of its endurance—a quality she likens to the Black community.
“The newspaper being here—surviving the pandemic when several newspapers close every week in this country, the fact that we’re still standing,” she said.” The legacy Black newspapers are tried and true and are still around over 100 years later. They’re steadfast. They are able to survive in very trying circumstances, just like our community.”
She attributes the newspaper’s longevity to its authenticity and unwavering loyalty to serving the Black community.
“We believe that our community is important and that it deserves fighting for,” said Tatum.
Leading at the top, however, isn’t always smooth sailing. Tatum noted the challenges she faces as a Black woman in leadership, navigating a predominantly white industry. Throughout her career, she frequently found herself as the only Black person and woman in a room, getting her decisions and business practices questioned.
Despite the hardships, Tatum remained resilient and committed to her role.
“Being the publisher of a Black newspaper, if you’re not resilient, you’re dead,” she said.
Tatum’s journey into the world of journalism is heavily influenced by a family legacy of newspaper ownership. Her grandfather owned a newspaper in the ‘30s or ‘40s, later engaging Tatum’s father in the business that would lay the foundation for his own journey. In high school and college, he was actively involved in the newspaper, developing a passion that would later culminate in acquiring the New York Amsterdam News with a team of investors.
Growing up in New York City, Tatum grew up surrounded by newspapers. Inspired by her father’s impactful decisions, like choosing journalism over public office, and witnessing his dedication during significant moments such as the Central Park Jogger case, she became driven by a desire to make a difference in the world, specifically within communities of color.
After being passed the mantle by her father nearly 30 years ago, now that passion manifests as she continues to uphold the family tradition, carrying forward the legacy of journalist integrity and community-driven news in New York.
“Even in a city like New York, there are still news deserts where people just don’t know what’s going on in their community, and we need to be a place where you can find out what is happening for and about you,” she said.
Tatum shared a touching memory from around ten years ago that reinforced her passion for journalism. During a visit to a middle school classroom, where students were required to read the AmNews newspaper every week, Tatum was deeply moved by a comment from one young girl.
“She said, ‘Before I read the Amsterdam News, I just thought I would end up on drugs or pregnant and welfare because that’s all I saw in the newspapers. But after I read the Amsterdam News, I saw that I could be an accountant, lawyer, doctor, or astronaut, so I just wanted to say thank you’” The work continues to ensure that the New York Amsterdam News remains a beacon of truth and representation in an ever-changing media landscape. Through her innovative leadership, Tatum preserves a century-long legacy while paving the way for future generations to embrace their potential and find their voices.
This si my go to newspaper for Black News. Thank you, Amsterdam News