San Francisco's Sun Reporter Newspaper celebrates 75 years by Marvin X, photos Adam Turner 5/9/19

When Sun Reporter Publisher, Amelia Ashley-Ward, invited Dr. Nathan Hare and myself to the 75th anniversary of San Francisco's preeminent North American African newspaper, it didn't dawn on me until tonight that the date coincided with my 75th birthday, May 29, 1944. Coincidentally, when I was born my parents were publishing their black newspaper in the central valley, The Fresno Voice. So one can say I was born into journalism, thus the Sun Reporter has been a part of my life indirectly and directly since my writings have appeared in its pages off and on over the last half century. In 1966, we opened Black Arts West Theatre on Fillmore Street at Turk, around the corner from the Sun Reporter. We would encounter Sun Reporter Publisher, Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett from time to time, also managing editor, Tom Fleming and political editor Edith Austin. After Amelia Ashley's graduation from San Jose State University and her internship at the Sun Reporter, she eventually became the Editor and Publisher.


US Senator Kamala Harris
photo Adam Turner

Left to right: Pam Moore, Amelia Ashley-Ward, Senator Kamala Harris, SF Mayor London Breed
photo Adam Turner

Tonight at the San Francisco Hyatt Regency Embarcadero, 800 guests from throughout this nation, paid tribute to the Sun Reporter. The event began with News Anchor Pam Moore as MC. After a few opening remarks, Pam called three women of power to the stage: San Francisco Mayor London Breed, US Senator Kamala Harris and Sun Reporter Publisher Amelia Ashley-Ward. As the product of a strong black woman, we appreciate strong black women. The only thing my mother hated was ignorance. I can't imagine how proud she would have been to see those three intelligent, powerful women on stage tonight. Mayor Breed gave honor and praise to the Sun Reporter for being the voice of truth in our community. She noted that there was no way Willie Brown would become the first African American mayor or she would become the first black female mayor without the support of the Sun Reporter.



Amelia's son, Evan Carlton Ward, had the honor of introducing Senator Kamala Harris, now running for president of the United States. Senator Harris began with a praise song for Amelia as single mother who has raised a young man now serving as a communication officer in Mayor Breed's administration. Keynote speaker Senator Harris praised the Sun Reporter for her successful run to become D.A. of San Francisco. Although there were doubters that she could win, she noted that Amelia had total faith in her victory. The possible next president of the US decried the present occupant of the White House and contradicted the Trumpian narrative that America is on the road to be great again. She noted that most US workers don't have a $400.00 emergency fund. As per education, she vowed to support pay raises for teachers with low salaries yet often pay for school supplies from their meager checks. She called for gun control that would include identity checks. Most importantly, she called for a media that has truth as its primary mission which has been the tradition of the Sun Reporter.

The Honorable Mayor Willie Brown said he became aware of the Sun Reporter after arriving from Texas. He praised Publisher Dr. Carlton Goodlett for altering the course of San Francisco with his radicalism and entrepreneurial expertise. Alas, as Mayor, Willie Brown renamed the street in front of San Francisco City Hall Carlton Goodlett Way.

And then we heard from my main man, Rev. Cecil Williams, Pastor Emeritus of Glide Church, the legendary radical church in the wretched Tenderloin District. Cecil and his wife, poet Janice Mirikitani recalled their association with Publisher Goodlett. Cecil recalled his weekly conversations with Dr. Goodlett who demanded Cecil maintain his radical stance. He note how he and Goodlett supported the 1968 student strike for Black and Ethnic studies at San Francisco State University.
Jan noted how she was Cecil's 25 year old secretary when she met Dr. Goodlett and had little understanding of his radicalism that was igniting the fire of Cecil who would become her husband.
FYI, Jan once noted it was the poetry of Marvin X that forced her to become conscious of her ethnicity. Before the event began, Jan insisted on a pic with herself, Marvin K, current Minister of Celebration at Glide, and Marvin X. Minister Marvin K assured Marvin X he will be speaking and reading at Glide Church ASAP.

Detroit Journalist Dorothy Leavell, Chair of the National Negro Press Association, made it plain that the Sun Reporter and its Publisher Dr. Carlton Goodlett took the NNPA to a higher level with his Renaissance Man mind, whose influence was not only local, national but international.

Our concern was that if the Sun Reporter will continue another 75 years, why were the next generation of Bay Area journalists not in attendance? Nevertheless, thank you, Tom Fleming,
Dr. Carlton Goodlett, Edith Austin, Amelia Ashley-Ward, et al., who made the first 75 years possible.
Let us now prepare for the next 75!
--Marvin X
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