Title
Honoring and recognizing The Philadelphia Tribune as a community advocate and vocal champion for African American issues on the occasion of its 130 year anniversary as the oldest, continuously published newspaper, owned and operated by African Americans.
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WHEREAS, At the age of 28, Christopher James Perry, Sr. published the first edition of a one-page, one man operation titled Tribune Weekly at 725 Sansom Street, an area known as Jeweler's Row; and
WHEREAS, Perry, born in 1856, was a native of Baltimore, MD. Upon graduating from high school, Perry relocated to Philadelphia. Although Perry's father wanted him to study law, he refused, stating, For my people to make progress, they must have a newspaper through which they can speak against injustice; and
WHEREAS, After 11 years working as a reporter for a local daily newspaper while attending night school, Perry's dream of establishing a newspaper became a reality when he launched the Tribune; and
WHEREAS, From the very beginning until his death Perry wrote about the problems that affected the daily lives of Black Americans, especially Philadelphians; and
WHEREAS, Today the Tribune, which moved to its present location at 520 S. 16th St. in 1912, is now America's oldest continuously published newspaper owned and operated by African Americans; and
WHEREAS, The Tribune has championed issues of desegregation, over all equality, equal access to City employment and contracting opportunities for people of color to increasing the representation of African-American judges appointed to Philadelphia Municipal Court. However, with the election and re-election of Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012 as the nation's first African-American president, getting Blacks elected to office is taken for granted; and
WHEREAS, The Tribune now champions quality education and economic empowerment are as civil rights issues of today. The Tribune is a powerful advocate and champion against police brutality and other concerns of African Americans; and
WHEREAS, The Tribune has grown from the one-page, one man operation of 130 years ago to a newspaper that is now published five days a week and maintains a website presence. In addition to the newspaper itself, the company publishes Tribune Magazine, Now, an arts and entertainment review; Sojourner, an African-American visitors guide to Philadelphia and the Learning Key, an educational supplement directed to students, parents and teachers; and
WHEREAS, On November 17, 2014 in celebration of 130 years of successful publishing, the Tribune launched a complete redesign of the newspaper, website and mobile device applications consistent with its history of evolution, timeliness and relevance; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council hereby recognizes, honors The Philadelphia Tribune as a community advocate and vocal champion for African American issues on the occasion of its 130 year anniversary as the oldest, continuously published newspaper, owned and operation by African Americans.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution shall be presented to The Philadelphia Tribune as further evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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