Indianapolis Recorder Logo
The Afternoons with Amos PODCAST For Monday, October 12, 2015. (Interview With Leadership of The Indianapolis Recorder Starts At 4:15 Mark On PODCAST Media Player). It is the fourth oldest Black newspaper in the country. It is one of the oldest Black institutions in Indianapolis. It is the oldest newspaper – daily or weekly – in Indiana’s Capital and largest city. It Is The Indianapolis Recorder and its celebrating its 120th Year of Service to Indianapolis and its African-American community.
Recorder President/GM Shannon Williams (L) and Newsroom Manager Victoria Davis
In an exclusive, wide ranging interview, the top leadership of the Indianapolis Recorder appeared on Afternoons with Amos to talk about the newspaper’s past, current and future. Recorder President and General Manager Shannon Williams was joined by Angie Eggars, Vice-President; Victoria Davis, Newsroom Manager; John Hurst, Art Director and Ebony Chappell, Marketing Coordinator. The Recorder was started by George P. Stewart and Will Porter in 1985. From an irregular start, two years later it became a weekly newspaper that chronicled the news, events and happenings in the African-American community, which was called back then “colored” or “negro”.
Recorder Marketing Coordinator Ebony Chappell and Art Director John Hurst
In the interview, Recorder staffers talked about their history with John Hurst who’s been with the newspaper since the days of the Stewart Family’s ownership talked a bit about legendary Recorder Editor and Publisher Marcus Stewart. The Recorder executives talked frankly about the challenges the newspaper faces, especially from the tepid support they received from advertisers and businesses. The Recorder staffers talked about the impact of new technologies and the internet are having on all print media, including the Recorder. But the Recorder staff stressed that the new technology allows them to communicate in different ways and present news and information that might get left out of the printed newspaper. Another of those new ways was the Recorder sending Ebony Chappell along with people traveling to the Million Man March.
Recorder Vice-President Angie Eggars
Chappell filed reports on the Recorder’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts as well as reports for the Recorder’s website. Just one of the ways the Recorder is using new technology to tell the Black community’s story. Amos and listeners were stunned by the major Indianapolis businesses who weren’t advertising in the Recorder’s 120th Commemorative Edition. Something major advertisers do with other milestone events with other media. Something the listeners and the community didn’t realize is that unlike other Indianapolis Black institutions, young people are a great part of the leadership of the Recorder. Victoria Davis who manages the Recorder’s newsroom and Ebony Chappell who handles marketing talked about the impact younger ideas and voices are having on the Recorder while retaining the newspaper’s history and heritage. Check Out The Indianapolis Recorder Here: INDIANAPOLIS RECORDER WEBSITE The community is invited to a free celebration of the Indianapolis recorder’s history and heritage this Thursday, October 15th at 5:30pm at the Indiana State Museum downtown.
Million Man March 2015 / Getty
(Interview And Recap Of The 20th Anniversary Of The Million March March With Minister Nuri Muhammad Starts At 53:11 Mark On Media Player). Minister Nuri Muhammad heads the National of Islam’s Mosque #74 here in Indianapolis. He’s one of the top ministers and leaders in the Nation, travelling constantly around the country. Minister Nuri appeared on Afternoons with Amos to recap the events of the huge Million Man March, Justice or Else rally on the Mall in Washington the past Saturday.
Scene From Million Man March 2015 / Getty
An event that was totally peaceful. No incidents. No violence. No mess. Minister Nuri who spoke from the podium and gave numerous media interests during the days leading up to the gathering, including a press briefing at the National Press Club and a Daily Show interview, explained what’s next after the what Minister Louis Farrakhan described as a “gathering”. Emphasis should now be on individual Black communities taking action to deal with the ills in their community. From Black-on-Black violence to police violence, to other areas of injustice.
Million Man March 2015 Crowd Seen From US Capitol / Getty
During his keynote message, Minister Farrakhan challenged Black men to organize and become peacemakers in their communities to help curb violence. In the call that got a lot of mainstream media and the community talking has to do with possible economic sanctions during the Christmas shopping season. Minister Nuri says that Minister Farrakhan is calling for Blacks to get back to Jesus during the Christmas season. And to withhold Christmas shopping, especially on the shopping day after Thanksgiving to send a strong economic message to the powers that be. Minister Nuri also indicated that the full program from the Million Man March event is available at the Justice or Else website along with more information of the event’s goals moving forward. Click for that website here: JUSTICE OR ELSE WEBSITE The Afternoons with Amos PODCAST For Monday, October 12, 2015 Runs 91 Minutes ©2015 WTLC/Radio One. PODCAST Starts After Brief Video Ad.
