MICHIGAN CHRONICLE

Life in the United States was financially difficult for many of its citizens.  Then U.S. president Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal was just beginning to take off.  Jim Crow and racial segregation was alive and well.  Economic recovery was more of a promise than a reality when the Michigan Chronicle came about in April of 1936.

That was the month that Lucius Harper, known then as the Executive Editor of the Chicago Defender, was sent to Detroit by the Sengstacke Newspapers to launch another local newspaper.

The decision to tackle the new venture was made by John H. Sengstacke who had just been given the title of general manager of The Defender by his uncle, Robert S. Abbott, who founded the newspaper in 1905.  

Although The Defender had a Detroit edition at the time, which was under the direction of Russ Cowans, the City of Detroit was demanding more local coverage.  So, with a one-way bus ticket and $135 in capital, Harper was dispatched to the Motor City to launch what was to become a Detroit tradition.  The one-room office at 727 St. Antoine, which was set up by Harper provided a good place to set up shop, due to the high population of the area.  Other tenants in the Black Bottom area of Detroit included a number of white collar professionals, John Roxborough and Joe Louis, the former World Heavy Weight Champion.

During the same time, a 1934 graduate of the University of Michigan, Louis E. Martin, had joined The Defender as a cub reporter.  He showed a great deal of promise and was doing so well that Mr. Sengstacke felt that he should be the one to build the fledgling newspaper, since Harper’s expertise was needed in Chicago.

Two month’s later; Harper turned over to Martin a paid circulation of 900 a week, an unpaid circulation of twice that number, and $17 in cash, the entire cash capital of the business.

Martin later stated, “The Chronicle was built because those of us who ran it were luck enough to make the right friends."  This statement aptly describes how the Chronicle earned success.

“More than any institution I know, the Chronicle owes its growth to a host of wonderful individuals who are really not in the newspaper business at all,” Martin recalled.

By September of 1937, the Michigan Chronicle was incorporated under the statutes of Michigan.  While it continued to be printed on The Defender presses, it became legally independent of the Chicago Defender’s paper.  Subsequently, it became a completely local newspaper, using local printers and exercising local control of the paper’s editorial policies.

In addition to its interest in civic, political and economic affairs, The Michigan Chronicle built a sound reputation as a “Family Newspaper.”  Its pro-labor platform gave a secure place in the hearts of many people.  In all its fights and controversies, The Michigan Chronicle took positions, which won it the support of the majority of Blacks and a large number of liberal whites.

Working hand-in-hand with Gloster Current, Dr. J.J. McClendon and other leaders of the N.A.A.C.P., the newspaper was in truth the authentic voice of the most advanced and progressive leadership of the community.  This is a tradition it continues to maintain present day.

The Chronicle began to gain prominence with the community in the mid-forties when it utilized the talents of journalistic professionals such as publisher Longworth Quinn,  Executive Editor Charles Wartman,  and many other dedicated staff members.

Managing the Michigan Chronicle today are publisher Samuel Logan and Chief Marketing Officer, Jackie Berg.

In 2003, The Chronicle was purchased by Real Times, Inc. who also acquired the Pittsburgh Courier, Chicago Defender, Tri State Defender (Memphis, Tenn.) and the Michigan FrontPage.

Recognized as one of the largest weekly newspapers in Michigan, with a  circulation of 31,872, The Michigan Chronicle has gained national recognition as an excellent newspaper with a sound editorial policy.  The Chronicle has been recognized as the “Best Black Newspaper” in the country by the National Newspaper Publishers Association five times.

In all of its 73 years, the Chronicle has followed a policy based upon the proposition that Afro-Americans are entitled to live as first class citizens.  The position it has taken in politics, labor, civic affairs and other community issues have consistently reflected that policy.  It has become an institution and an integral part of the total community life.

The Chronicle now looks forward to new horizons in a rapidly integrating society, confident of its ability to meet the challenge of the coming years as it did for almost three quarters of a century.

Founded in seventy-three years ago, The Michigan Chronicle is not only a newspaper, but it is also a productive business that participates and contributes to many worthy projects.  The Michigan Chronicle has received many national and local journalism and community service awards.