Florida State University Libraries Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School 2005 Preserver of the Press: The Historical Mission and Evolution of the Capital Outlook Newspaper Yanela Natacha Gordon Follow this and additional works at the FSU Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected] THE FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES PRESERVER OF THE PRESS: THE HISTORICAL MISSION AND EVOLUTION OF THE CAPITAL OUTLOOK NEWSPAPER By YANELA NATACHA GORDON A Thesis submitted to the Department of History in partial fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Degree Awarded: Summer Semester, 2005 The members of the Committee approve the thesis of Yanela Natacha Gordon defended on June 23, 2005. Maxine D. Jones Professor Directing Thesis Matthew D. Childs Committee Member Joe M. Richardson Committee Member The Office of Graduate Studies has verified and approved the above name committee members. ii Dedicated to the memory of two strong, wise and loving women: Louisa Miriam Trotman de Croney (Grandma Yoya) and Kha Phrances Dennard (Ma Kha) iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I owe a great deal of gratitude to the many people who helped me during this important time of my life. I would not have been able to accomplish this goal without your assistance and encouragement. First and foremost, I give thanks to God, his son Jesus, and Holy Spirit. It was my faith in God that enabled me to endure through this process that, at times, became overwhelming. There was a particular scripture that kept me grounded, Jeremiah 9:23 – “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” I must thank my major professor, Dr. Maxine D. Jones. Her direction of this thesis extended beyond the manuscript. Her concern for my personal welfare, high expectations, and caring, but stern, leadership allowed me to mature into a more able and professional scholar. So to Dr. Jones and my other committee members, Dr. Joe M. Richardson and Dr. Matt D. Childs, thank you for your interest in my research, your recommendations, and most importantly, your encouragement and academic support. I have learned some very important academic and life lessons from each of you. This project would not have been possible without the cooperation of the past and present owners of the Capital Outlook newspaper: Stephen Beasley, Sharon Woodson- Bryant and Arthur Teele Jr., Allen and Helen Stucks, Jeraldine Williams-Smith, and Roosevelt and Cathy Wilson. I am humbled by your generosity and willingness to be a part of this project. You opened up your homes and private lives to me for the benefit of preserving the history and legacy of this important community institution. Thank you all for your unselfishness. I must pay special thanks to Roosevelt Wilson, who has been a mentor, friend, and inspiration in my life. “Prof.” has served a pivotal role in my development as a journalist. One of the reasons I decided to conduct this study is because of my relationship with the Capital Outlook. It was during my one-year internship and four-year tenure as the newspaper’s senior reporter that I saw the value and importance of the Capital Outlook to the community. With so many early issues of the newspaper missing, I also felt a study would help preserve the paper’s institutional history as well as illustrate its role in the social history of the community. iv I would like to thank the staff members at the Capital Outlook; particularly Vaughn Wilson; and Florida State University Strozier Library, especially Beverly Speight, Sam Holloway and Reggie Jones. Much appreciation to Dr. Robin Sellars and the Richelt Oral History Program for allowing me unlimited access and use of audio equipment. Special thanks to: Cornelia A. Taylor and Dale Thomas in Special Collections at Florida A&M University’s Coleman Library; Gloria Woody, director of the Journalism Resource Center located in FAMU’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communication; and Peggy Hare of the FSU Human Subjects Office. I am grateful to Debbie Perry and Chris Pignatiello of the FSU History Department for answering all of graduate-student questions with a smile. Thanks to my special classmates at FSU, you know who you are. Your friendship was an unexpected blessing during my graduate studies. I must express my gratitude to Dr. E. Murrell Dawson and the Southeastern Regional Black Archives Museum and Research Center. Dr. Dawson was instrumental in my decision to pursue graduate education, and held my hand through this entire process. Thanks for the countless hours of helping me edit and organize my study. You are truly a God-send and dedicated educator who cares about the advancement of students. To Dr. James Corbin, thank you for your genuine commitment to education. You are a man of honor and integrity, and I hope to bless others the way you have blessed me throughout this process. Thanks to Dr. James Hawkins, dean of the FAMU School of Journalism, for giving me a chance and helping me find my purpose in life. To Cyrus Flanagan, pastor of the Family Worship & Praise Center, thank you for your prayers and spiritual support. There were a number of friends who kept me sane and encouraged during my return to school. Thanks to: Tameka Bradley Hobbs, Della Buckles, Anika Clark, Jackie Cunningham, Christina Grange, Cynthia Haynes, Glyndell Presley, Mrs. Dorothy Richardson, Andrea Thompson, Katrina Weatherspoon, Tiffany Wilson, and Leah Woodward. Your friendships are invaluable. Also, I must say thanks to Christopher McLeod for his encouragement and patience. You meant more to this process than perhaps you were aware. Last, but certainly not least, I must thank my family. Your constant support and encouragement has meant so much to me over the years. You all make me feel as if I can accomplish anything. I must single out my mother, Rosita Stringer. Mama, I do not know what I did for God to see fit to make me your v daughter. You are so precious to my life. Your faith in God, commitment to family, genuineness, and wisdom, has taught me to be a woman of character and integrity. Your stern but gentle ways personify a mother’s love. You are a virtuous woman and I thank God for blessing me with you. Your encouragement, support and belief in me sustain me in all I do. I love you. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures …………………………………………………………….………. viii Abstract ………………………………………………………………………….. xi Historiography……………………………………………………………………... xii Introduction…………………………………………………………………………1 Purpose of the Study ……………………………………………… 3 Organizational Structure …………………………………………... 5 Limitations ………………………………………………………… 5 Chapter Page 1. Speaking for Ourselves: The History of the Black Press …………………..7 Five Founding Principles …………………………………………. 8 2. Capital Outlook: Finding its Way Beasley and the Beginning (1975-1978) ………………………….. 21 Newspaper Analysis ………………………………………………. 34 New Ownership: The Contributions of Arthur Teele Jr. and Sharon Woodson-Bryant (1978-1980) …………….....……………43 Newspaper Analysis ………………………………………………. 51 3. Passing the Pen The Stucks Years (1980-1983) ……………………………..………59 Newspaper Analysis ………………………………………………..75 First Lady and Madame Publisher: The Jeraldine Smith Years (1983-1991) ………………………………….……………..85 Newspaper Analysis ………………………………………………..87 4. The Professor and the Press: The Wilson Years (1991-Present) …………...89 Newspaper Analysis ………………………………………………. 121 5. The Press in Black & White: A Comparison between the Capital Outlook and Tallahassee Democrat ………………………….. 141 6. Conclusion ………………………………………………………………… 151 Bibliography ...…………………………………………………………………… 155 Biographical Sketch ………………………………………………………………..159 vii LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1.1 Freedom’s Journal …………………………………………… 15 Figure 1.2 Freedom’s Journal Transcribed ………………………………… 16-18 Figure 1.3 Samuel Cornish and John B. Russwurm ………………………... 19 Figure 1.4 Ida B. Wells ……………………………………………………... 20 Figure 1.5 Robert S. Abbott ………………………………………………… 20 Figure 2.1 Stephen K. Beasley ……………………………………………… 21 Figure 2.2 Front page of Capital Outlook, October 29-31, 1977 …………… 39 Figure 2.3 Beasley with his professional idol, Gordon Parks ………………. 39 Figure 2.4 Steve and Nickie Beasley during their July 1965 wedding. Also pictured, Thelma Gorham ………………………………….. 39 Figure 2.5 Beasley with Florida Gov. Claude Kirk …………………………. 39 Figure 2.6 Nickie feeds Steve a piece of wedding cake …………………….. 39 Figure 2.7 Beasley presents award to Earl Graves ………………………….. 39 Figure 2.8 Nickie Beasley with her and Steve’s daughter, Cheryl Beasley …. 40 Figure 2.9 Nickie and Steven Beasley at Cheryl’s weeding ………………… 40 Figure 2.10 Cherly and Nickie Beasley win Alpha Kappa Alpha Mother/Daughter Award ………………………………………… 40 Figure 2.11 Nickie Beasley as a young teacher ……………………………… 40 Figure 2.12 Nickie during her retirement celebration ………………………... 40 Figure 2.13 Steven Beasley with daughter Cheryl and first grandchild Nicole .. 40 Figure 2.14 Arnette Ward, Steve Beasley, Cheryl Beasley, granddaughter Marionna during memorial services in honor of Nickie Beasley ... 40 Figure 2.15 Beasley with close friend the legendary Ray Charles …………… 41 Figure 2.16 Steve Beasley, Georgia Rep. John White and Ray Charles ……... 41 Figure 2.17 Nickie and Steve Beasley at Kappa Alpah Psi annual “Black and White Ball” ……………………………………………………… 41 Figure 2.18 Steve and Nickie Beasley at annual Alpha Kappa Alpha ball ….. 41 Figure 2.19 Beasley with Florida Gov. Reuben Askew ………………………..42 Figure 2.20 Beasley with Hubert