African Americans in the Media Today [2 volumes]: An Encyclopedia

by Sam Riley

Overview

The history of African Americans in the news media is a relatively recent story of firsts. Consider Dorothy Gilliam, who in 1961 became the first black woman reporter hired by The Washington Post, or Bob Herbert, who in 1993 became the first black columnist at The New York Times, or even Mark Whitaker, who in 1998 became the first black editor of one of America's three major newsweeklies, Newsweek. These are just a few of the trailblazers who overcame obstacles to rise to the highest echelons of the media world. Prior to the 1960s, however, African Americans working for the predominantly white media were few and far between. After the subsiding of the dramatic civil rights demonstrations that shook most of America out of complacent acceptance of the status quo, the hiring of African-American news people slowed for a time before accelerating in the 1970, gaining real speed in the 1980s and 1990s. By the dawning of the new millennium, African Americans in the news media had achieved a sort of critical mass.

This two-volume biographical encyclopedia chronicles the success stories and considerable strides made by over 240 African American media figures from newspapers, magazines, radio, television, and the Internet. The most influential and often groundbreaking reporters, columnists, editors, publishers, broadcasters, and even talk show hosts are all included here. Each in-depth biography discusses the individual's achievements and struggles along with more personal and career information. Numerous primary source documents-including newspaper and magazine articles, columns, and radio and television transcripts-give readers first-hand accounts from the newsrooms. Unlike other reference works currently available, this timely encyclopedia emphasizes those African Americans who are currently working in the news media.

A timeline, comprehensive introduction, numerous photos, and an extensive bibliography of print and electronic sources for further reading are included, making this encyclopedia a valuable reference for teachers and students interested in understanding the impact and significance of African Americans in the news media today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313336799
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	05/30/2007
Pages:	632
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 10.30(h) x 1.90(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Sam G. Riley is Professor of Communication Studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Table of Contents

List of Entries

Entries of People by Field or Endeavor

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Timeline

The Encyclopedia

Selected Bibliography

Index

Editorial Reviews

"Riley, a professor at Virginia Polytechnic University, has created a well-organized and unique reference work. The collection covers syndicated and local columnists, broadcast news figures, magazine figures, sports columnists, sportscasters, editors, and more....African Americans in the Media Today is the only encyclopedia of its kind to provide a convenient source for biographies in this important and surprisingly neglected subject area. Overall, this reference set is an excepetional resource for any academic or public library. It will be particularly useful for college students researching African American Studies or journalism topics. Recommended for public and college libraries." - Reference & User Services Quarterly

"The writing is straightforward and objective, in the best journalistic fashion, and the work over all will serve as a useful jumping-off place for further research....This work is recommended for all media collections." - American Reference Books Annual

"This concise, alphabetically arranged work describes hundreds of people (most of whom are living) in various fields of communications. It includes, for example, reporters, anchormen and -women, talk-show hosts, and television producers. A general list of entries and one by field of endeavor open the first volume. Each of the mostly one- to two-page entries includes biographical information. . . . [W]ork experience, awards, and, in some cases, includes anecdotes or articles by or about the individual. The further-reading list at the end of each entry is helpful, as is the comprehensive bibliography and the detailed index. There is no other work of this type for this age group still in print. A worthwhile resource for biography or communications projects." - School Library Journal

"This exceptionally thorough biographical dictionary is recommended for readers interested in journalism, communications, or African American studies in both public and academic libraries." - Lawrence Looks at Books

"Riley presents a two-volume biographical reference work on 246 of the most accomplished contemporary and near-contemporary African-American journalists, as well as a few younger individuals of special promise. In addition to the biographical information, each entry includes a list of further readings. Where applicable, there is a list of all books written or edited by the individual, and many entries also include a column or story written by the person profiled. The first volume contains an alphabetical list of entries, a list of entries by field or endeavor, an introductory essay by the author, and a timeline of key events from 1827 to 2006; the subject index for both volumes is included at the end of the second volume only." - Reference & Research Book News

"The book focuses on the careers of 246 African Americans, including a number of syndicated and local newspaper columnists. Also covered are media people in the TV, radio, and magazine fields." - Editor & Publisher

"Riley, a professor at Virginia Polytechnic University, has created a well-organized and unique reference work. The collection covers syndicated and local columnists, broadcast news figures, magazine figures, sports columnists, sportscasters, editors, and more....African Americans in the Media Today is the only encyclopedia of its kind to provide a convenient source for biographies in this important and surprisingly neglected subject area. Overall, this reference set is an excepetional resource for any academic or public library. It will be particularly useful for college students researching African American Studies or journalism topics. Recommended for public and college libraries." - Reference & User Services Quarterly

"The writing is straightforward and objective, in the best journalistic fashion, and the work over all will serve as a useful jumping-off place for further research....This work is recommended for all media collections." - American Reference Books Annual

"This concise, alphabetically arranged work describes hundreds of people (most of whom are living) in various fields of communications. It includes, for example, reporters, anchormen and -women, talk-show hosts, and television producers. A general list of entries and one by field of endeavor open the first volume. Each of the mostly one- to two-page entries includes biographical information....[w]ork experience, awards, and, in some cases, includes anecdotes or articles by or about the individual. The further-reading list at the end of each entry is helpful, as is the comprehensive bibliography and the detailed index. There is no other work of this type for this age group still in print. A worthwhile resource for biography or communications projects." - School Library Journal

"This exceptionally thorough biographical dictionary is recommended for readers interested in journalism, communications, or African American studies in both public and academic libraries." - Lawrence Looks at Books

"Riley presents a two-volume biographical reference work on 246 of the most accomplished contemporary and near-contemporary African-American journalists, as well as a few younger individuals of special promise. In addition to the biographical information, each entry includes a list of further readings. Where applicable, there is a list of all books written or edited by the individual, and many entries also include a column or story written by the person profiled. The first volume contains an alphabetical list of entries, a list of entries by field or endeavor, an introductory essay by the author, and a timeline of key events from 1827 to 2006; the subject index for both volumes is included at the end of the second volume only." - Reference & Research Book News

"The book focuses on the careers of 246 African Americans, including a number of syndicated and local newspaper columnists. Also covered are media people in the TV, radio, and magazine fields." - Editor & Publisher

From the Publisher