Arizona Informant
Former NNPA Chairs Talk Yesterday, Today and the Future
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Whether it’s taking a stand for the Double V campaign during World War II; marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement; or fighting to have a voice in the White House in more recent times, NNPA’s board chairpersons’ responsibilities have historically gone far beyond any standard business definitions.
Part One in a series, as the NNPA prepares to Celebrate 80Years as the Voice of Black America
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia
The role of chairman of the board in any organization comes with responsibilities that require for the broadest of shoulders.
According to a definition found at bizfluent, a board’s chairperson is the person who serves as the senior representative of the shareholders and is responsible for upholding their interests.
However, whether it was taking a stand for the Double V campaign during World War II; marching with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement; or fighting to have a voice in the White House in more recent times, NNPA’s board chairpersons’ responsibilities have historically gone far beyond any standard business definitions.
“As NNPA chair, it is important to have integrity, build consensus, listen to different points of view, be a communicator, take the initiative, and possess the foresight to think where the puck will be –not where it is now — and act accordingly,” said Sonceria “Sonny” Messiah Jiles, the CEO of the Houston Defender Media Group and a former NNPA chair.
“The experience of being a NNPA chair was both rewarding and trying because I took office when the organization was transitioning from a combined operation into two independent organizations, [the National Newspaper Publishers Association and the National Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation]” Jiles said.
Jiles, who was elected chair in mid-2003 and served through mid-2005, said the high points of her tenure included securing the first $4.1 million buy from Home Depot for NNPA members; cleaning up and aligning the organization’s operational systems in accordance with Sarbanes Oxley; and establishing convention sponsorship packages covering two-three year periods, that ensured revenue continuity.
“The biggest challenge of the NNPA chair is to generate revenue for both small- and large-market newspapers, create products and services that benefit the membership’s bottom line and building a consensus when there are so many personal or hidden agendas,” Jiles said.
Danny Bakewell, Sr., the publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel who chaired the NNPA from 2009 to 2011, said it was an honor to serve his fellow publishers and lead the organization through various changes in the media landscape.
“My publishers knew of my activism and [at the time I was elected], it was a good time in my life, and I decided to give it I shot,” Bakewell said.
“When I came in, there was basically no infrastructure, so I’ve got to be chairman and CEO and I’ve got to make decisions to make this thing work,” he said.
Bakewell said he created a plan on how to create partnerships in which the goal was to get five partners that would agree to three- or five-year commitments that would bring in significant revenue for the NNPA.
“It meant that we weren’t begging because we knew we had money coming in and I established a policy that we’d go out and raise money for every event knowing that we already had money,” Bakewell said.
“The real glue that made my administration successful was getting full-page ads at least once a quarter for my publishers and organizations like General Motors really gave us solid commitments and we still have them today,” he said.
As chair, Bakewell said one should never lose sight of the mission of the Black Press of America, which is to speak for the voiceless and champion the powerless.
“We put together a report when I was the chair that showed we were talking to 19.5 million black people every week, that’s powerful,” Bakewell said.
He said there were many who wanted him to remain as chair, but he leaned on an important motto learned long ago: “Good leadership knows when to come, it knows what to do and it knows when to go,” said Bakewell, who in 2010 enjoyed a historic visit to the White House where he met with then-presidential advisor Valerie Jarrett to make sure – among other things – that the NNPA was in a position to cover President Barack Obama’s administration.
Following Bakewell, Arizona Informant publisher Cloves Campbell won election as NNPA chair.
Campbell, who led the organization with a strategy that included collaborating with other organizations, forming new partnerships and inviting a new generation of readers into the Black Press, served two terms concluding in 2015.
“It was an honor to serve the NNPA, which has such a rich history and it represents an important part of black history,” Campbell said.
When Campbell began, he said the NNPA had virtually no digital presence, but he’s noticed most recently the evolution of the NNPA Newswire and BlackPressUSA.com where hundreds of thousands of unique visitors come for information daily.
“Now it’s at a level where the world knows about it,” Campbell said.
As chair, Campbell said an important aspect of his duties were to work closely with the then newly-hired NNPA president and CEO, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
“It’s important because the president is the spokesperson for your organization. I remember our first president, Bill Thompson, was a different type of person, but we were real fortunate to be able to select an excellent leader in Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. Dr. Chavis, with a civil rights background, has what we were looking for in that premiere position,” Campbell said.
“Chavis is one who commands an audience and not only commands the respect from the community in the United States, but worldwide,” he said.
Washington Informer publisher, Denise Rolark Barnes, who served as NNPA chair from 2015 to 2017, echoed Campbell’s comments on the importance of the chair and president working in harmony for the good of the organization.
“As your board, we are a legal entity, and to me, we should have a chairman of the board who shares the same vision as the leader of the organization and the person that we’ve hired to lead and to be the spokesperson for the organization,” Rolark Barnes said.
“As long as you are in lockstep, there’s so much more you can accomplish for the organization,” she said.
Rolark Barnes recalled a time when the NNPA didn’t have the resources to operate in the manner it currently does, but she said the organization always had an executive director or a president – a set-up that’s required under law for any nonprofit.
“When you have someone in that position with the title of president who’s respected, who has an ability to connect with organizations, that’s important because we on the board cannot do that… we have to maintain our legal status,” Rolark Barnes said.
During her tenure, Rolark Barnes said she understood that there would be times when the board would dictate what the chair would do, but it’s the president who leads based on what the board has instructed.
“Members have to have leadership that works hard on their behalf and works together. You have to listen to your membership and strive to work together because that’s what makes for a stronger organization,” she said.
Two years after her tenure, Rolark Barnes remains very much involved on the board.
She said she decided to run for chair after attending board meetings, taking copious notes and realizing that she could help the organization.
“It became crystal clear to me what I could do to lead the organization beyond stagnation into a new era of solvency, productivity, and resiliency,” Rolark Barnes said.
“I was incredibly proud to serve alongside a progressive-thinking executive committee and a board that supported, and sometimes challenged, our decisions,” she said.
#BuyBlack
PRESS ROOM: Civil Rights TV Launches in Selma as the World’s First 24/7 Civil Rights Television Network
ARIZONA INFORMANT — Civil Rights TV operates continuously on the Connect To Your City OTT platform powered by Connect2OTT, offering documentaries, news analysis, live discussions, educational programming, global civil rights coverage, and cultural storytelling. The channel functions as both a historical archive and a living platform addressing contemporary civil rights challenges.
Arizona Informant

SELMA, Ala. — Civil Rights TV, the world’s first 24-hour television network dedicated exclusively to civil rights history, education, and future equity, has officially launched on the Connect To Your City OTT platform powered by Connect2OTT.
The network debuts from Selma, Alabama — one of the most historically significant cities in the American civil rights movement — marking a new chapter in how civil rights stories are preserved, amplified, and carried forward for future generations.
Civil Rights TV operates continuously on the Connect To Your City OTT platform powered by Connect2OTT, offering documentaries, news analysis, live discussions, educational programming, global civil rights coverage, and cultural storytelling. The channel functions as both a historical archive and a living platform addressing contemporary civil rights challenges.
Civil Rights, Technology, and the AI Era
As technology and artificial intelligence increasingly shape access to information, media, and opportunity, Civil Rights TV launches at a moment when access to digital infrastructure itself is emerging as a civil rights issue.
Media fragmentation, misinformation, and uneven access to technology continue to reshape public discourse. While on-demand platforms have expanded individual content access, large-scale live broadcasting still faces challenges related to congestion, latency, and energy consumption.
Civil Rights TV leverages broadcast-efficient OTT architecture designed to reduce bandwidth usage and energy requirements, enabling continuous global distribution without placing added strain on network infrastructure.

Why Civil Rights TV Matters Now
Civil Rights TV is not only a media launch—it is a signal.
The network underscores the importance of preserving civil rights history using the most accurate and comprehensive sources available. For generations, the Black press has maintained some of the deepest and most reliable documentation of the civil rights movement, currents events, news and critical Black history, much of which remains underrepresented in modern digital media archives and inaccessible to artificial intelligence (AI) systems.
As a result, Civil Rights TV will rely heavily on national Black press for news, historical archives and independent voices. Prominent digital news platforms, podcasts, and broadcasters—will play an instrumental role in shaping continuous coverage, historical interpretation, and public discourse.
About Connect2OTT
Connect2OTT currently manages more than 250 live 24/7 television and radio channels streaming to audiences in more than 190 countries. Civil Rights TV joins this ecosystem as a flagship channel, designed to foster global conversation while demonstrating how media distribution, energy efficiency, and AI readiness can coexist responsibly.

About Larry Witherspoon
Larry Witherspoon is a technology entrepreneur and founder of Phoenix-based Connect2 Technologies, LLC, including Connect2OTT, Connect2AI, and Connect To Your City OTT Platform.
In 2006, Witherspoon launched FaithFone Wireless, the world’s first Christian-owned and operated mobile phone company—years ahead of today’s fintech and mobile banking platforms. As a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), FaithFone introduced mobile banking, digital tithing, live television and radio, content downloads, and branded debit- card-based person-to-person payment functionality before mobile commerce was widely understood by major telecom and financial institutions.
That early convergence of mobile, media, and financial technology laid the foundation for Witherspoon’s current work across AI, energy efficiency, broadcasting, and infrastructure optimization.
Community Content Submissions
Civil Rights TV welcomes article submissions from trusted community voices, journalists, and verified organizations. Content may be submitted through an official upload portal or via email for editorial review.
Submissions approved for broadcast will be scheduled during the network’s community programming window from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m., with select pieces considered for prime- time airing based on their significance, accuracy, and value to the broader civil rights dialogue.
Media Contact Tina Michelle
Connect2OTT / Civil Rights TV Phone: (480) 740-7777
Email: [email protected] Website: CivilRightsTV.com
Arizona Informant
Leveling Up: How HBCUs Empower Black Students To Rise Above, Achieve
ARIZONA INFORMANT — Kenyae Stocker, a graduate in May 2024 with a stellar 3.7 GPA in mechanical engineering, embodies the unwavering spirit that thrives within HBCU walls. Hailing from Tucson, Ariz., she arrived at Southern University just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, presenting a unique set of challenges for her freshman year. Yet, her story is a testament to the unique support system these institutions provide, empowering students to navigate challenges and embrace opportunities for growth.
Chandler – Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have long played a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape for African-American students. They have done (and continue to do) more to educate Black students than many larger, more well-resourced historically White institutions (HWIs).
HBCU institutions transcend the realm of mere education, transforming into vibrant communities that foster academic achievement, personal growth, and a profound sense of culture and belonging. They produce more Black science and engineering majors than any HWI, and they have produced the majority of Black doctors, lawyers, judges, and academics for generations.
Their legacy is woven with stories of resilience, excellence, and individuals like Kenyae Stocker, whose journey at Southern University and A&M College, an HBCU, exemplifies the transformative power of such institutions.
Stocker, a soon-to-be graduate in May 2024 with a stellar 3.7 GPA in mechanical engineering, embodies the unwavering spirit that thrives within HBCU walls. Hailing from Tucson, Ariz., she arrived at Southern University just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit, presenting a unique set of challenges for her freshman year. Yet, her story is a testament to the unique support system these institutions provide, empowering students to navigate challenges and embrace opportunities for growth.
Her unwavering determination and proactive nature allowed her to not only adapt to online learning but also thrive academically. This is evidenced by her immediate acceptance into the prestigious Top Jags Program in fall 2020, a program reserved for students of exceptional academic achievement. Throughout her four years, Stocker has consistently remained a Top Jag, a testament to her dedication and resilience.
Furthermore, her academic excellence extends beyond the Top Jags Program. She has consistently earned a place on the Honors Roll and Dean’s List each semester, and is on track to graduate as an Honors College student. These achievements speak volumes about her character and the nurturing environment fostered by the Southern University community, which empowers students to not only overcome adversity but also excel academically.
Beyond academics, Stocker actively participated in activities such as The National Society of Black Engineers and The American Society of Mechanical Engineers. These experiences not only enriched her college experience but also helped her build a strong network within the engineering field and among her peers. Balancing these diverse commitments demonstrates her exceptional time management skills and dedication to her passions.
Southern University’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence and fostering a supportive alumnus has undeniably played a crucial role in shaping Stocker’s success.
She said, “The university’s emphasis on higher education, coupled with research programs and strong alumni engagement, provides students with valuable opportunities to learn, grow and thrive.”
Dr. Brian Warren, a professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department, exemplifies this dedication. His mentorship and guidance have been instrumental in shaping Kenyae’s academic journey, along with countless other students at Southern University.
As she prepares to embark on her career at McCarthy Building Companies, a Dallas, Texas-based company, her aspirations reflect her unwavering commitment to both her chosen field and making a positive impact in her community. Her story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for students everywhere, demonstrating that with perseverance, dedication, and the support offered by institutions like HBCUs, anything is possible.
Stocker’s journey is far from over, and she serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power and relevance of HBCUs. HBCUs have much to teach us all about how to ensure educational equality for Black students specifically, and even for first-generation and low-income students, more generally, who are overrepresented at HBCUs. These institutions remain a vital resource for Black students, offering not only a path to academic success but also a nurturing environment that fosters personal growth, career success, a sense of belonging, and the unwavering confidence to level up.
As a testament to her dedication and academic excellence, Kenyae is a three-time recipient of the prestigious Southern University Alumni Federation Arizona Chapter (SUAF-AC) Excel Scholarship. This scholarship, fueled by the generous support of the Arizona community, empowers deserving students like Kenyae to reach their full potential.
Special to the Informant by Loretta H. Cheeks, Ph.D., SUAF-Arizona Chapter Member, who encourages the community to be part of the change.
Arizona Informant
First Black Racer in Porsche Carrera Cup Competes at Formula One Miami Grand Prix
NNPA NEWSWIRE — Wallace is an admirer of Formula One, but at 36 is too old to be dreaming about an F-1 seat. Instead, Wallace wants to move up to the Batmobile-like, fiendishly quick sports cars that compete in famous endurance races. “The ultimate goal is to win the Daytona 24 Hours, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Sebring 12 Hours, and to be the first African American to win all of those,” Wallace said. “I’ve got a ton of work ethic, a ton of desire and I think I’m showing that I’m pretty quick.”
By Blair S. Walker
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA — When Jordan Wallace was a 5-year-old, his grandmother bought him a little, battery-powered Mercedes car. She may have regretted that move because Wallace immediately hopped into his miniature whip and practically drove the wheels off it.
Convinced that Upper Marlboro, Maryland, had never produced a racer with his combination of awe-inspiring speed and daring, Wallace began looking for pre-pubescent butts to kick.
“I tried to race the girl down the street in her Barbie Corvette, and she whupped me,” Wallace said, still incredulous 31 years later. “And after that, I was like – I gotta get this figured out. Ever since then, I’ve been on a charge.”
One that had Wallace swaddled in a helmet and Nomex driving suit as he blasted a 510-horsepower Porsche 911 GT3 Cup around the 3.36-mile, 19-turn Miami International Autodrome road circuit, sounding like a bellowing, deep-voiced hound from hell.
Welcome to the Porsche Carrera Cup North America racing series, Jordan Wallace’s world. He found himself onstage with the globe-trotting Formula One circus in town for the Miami Grand Prix. Formula One promoters like to have other kinds of racing cars circulating tracks while F-1 cars are being tweaked in their garages.
Wallace is an admirer of Formula One, but at 36 is too old to be dreaming about an F-1 seat. Instead, Wallace wants to move up to the Batmobile-like, fiendishly quick sports cars that compete in famous endurance races.
“The ultimate goal is to win the Daytona 24 Hours, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Sebring 12 Hours and to be the first African American to win all of those,” Wallace said. I’ve got a ton of work ethic and desire, and I think I’m showing that I’m pretty quick.”
That last statement is all fact and no brag because Wallace came within one-hundredth of a second of being the fastest qualifier for his Miami International Autodrome race. To put that in perspective, it takes the average person between one-tenth to four-tenths of a second to blink their eyes.
A resident of Austin, Texas, these days, Wallace keeps a roof over his head with his racing activities and by working as a driving instructor at a nearby race track. When it comes to the Kellymoss/Vision Motorsports Racing Porsche he’s piloting in eight races this year, his sponsor is Davis Infrastructure, a Northern Virginia business that builds data centers.
“I grew up thinking race drivers were aliens because no one in my family, or in my culture, was in this sport,” Wallace said. “Now I’m part-owner in the team that I’m driving for. Not only a Black driver, but a Black owner. We’re really trying to grow that side of the sport, as well.”
About the Author:
Blair S. Walker formerly wrote for USA Today’s ‘Money’ section, has penned seven books, and was also a professional race car driver. Blair has been a guest contributor for BlackPressUSA for the past three years at the Formula One Miami Grand Prix held annually in Miami Gardens.
Arizona Informant
Liberty Captures The Open Title
ARIZONA INFORMANT — From the beginning Liberty looked to show they were the more dominant of the two. On their first possession the Lions marched right down the field on a drive that resulted in a Navi Bruzon 20-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Jezioro with 7:20 left in the opening quarter. After the missed PAT the score was 6-0 in favor of Liberty. On the next drive Centennial was able to move the ball but the drive ended with a missed 42-yard field goal.
Arizona Informant
On December 2nd the top two teams collided once again for the second time in less than a month. This time it was for the Open Division championship of the AIA. Two nationally ranked teams, #16 Peoria Liberty and 19 Peoria Centennial, had both shown they were the premier teams in the state throughout the year.
From the beginning Liberty looked to show they were the more dominant of the two. On their first possession the Lions marched right down the field on a drive that resulted in a Navi Bruzon 20-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Jezioro with 7:20 left in the opening quarter. After the missed PAT the score was 6-0 in favor of Liberty. On the next drive Centennial was able to move the ball but the drive ended with a missed 42-yard field goal.
Centennial got the ball back again and this time they were able to capitalize. On a drive that consisted of all runs, Owen Reynosa punched it in from 1 yard out with 1:06 left in the first quarter. Centennial had grabbed the lead 7-6. Centennial had seemed to be gaining some momentum. On their next possession they hit a home run with the deep ball. This was in the form of a 44-yard pass from Kainan Manna to Kenny Worthy III that gave Centennial a 14-6 lead with 7:55 left in the 2nd quarter. Centennial continued to play solid defense on the Lions by stopping them on a 4 th down try with 6:34 remaining in the first half.
After Liberty got the ball back, they hit a home run of their own. This time it was Bruzon connecting again with Jezioro this time for a 50-yard touchdown at the 4:43 mark. After an unsuccessful 2-point conversion try the score was now 14-12 still in favor of Centennial. Liberty looking to swing the momentum in their favor blocked a Centennial punt with 3:26 left in the first half. This block gave them great field position at the Centennial 29-yard line. A Bruzon 4-yard touchdown run with 2:00 minutes left gave Liberty the lead 19-14 heading into halftime.

In the 2nd half Liberty looked to continue to build off the momentum from the end of the first half. They got the opening kickoff of the 3 rd quarter and marched down the field.
The drive was dominated by Bruzon runs and ended with a Jon Wilson 5-yard touchdown run with 7:21 left in the 3 rd quarter. The Liberty lead had now grown to 26-14. The rest of the quarter was back and forth with neither team really moving the ball much. The Centennial Defense led by defensive end Noah Carter did all they could to keep the high powered Liberty offense in check.
With the help of a pass interference call Liberty was able to sustain a drive that
goes deep into Centennial territory. Jon Wilson runs it in from 4 yards out with 7:34 left in the game to give Liberty more breathing room. The lead was now up to 33-14. A Centennial touchdown with 4:00 left in the game brought the score to 33-21. The final score was 33-21 with Liberty winning the Open Championship finishing 12-1 and Centennial being the runner-up with a record of 11-2.
The post Liberty Captures The Open Title appeared first on Arizona Informant.
This article originally appeared in The Arizona Informant.</em
Arizona Informant
Spirit Talk Ft Bishop Rick of the Message Church Tempe, AZ
ARIZONA INFORMANT — Spirit talk is a podcast that gives the spiritual leaders in the community an opportunity to speak out about situations and circumstances that are going on this this world today. You are going hear from some impactful people about their views on problems, and what they feel the church needs to be doing now. This is not a platform to beat down our fellow brothers and sisters but to encourage them to do more through stories, testimonies, and passion. Take a listen and commit what you think.
Arizona Informant
BRIEF SUMMARY OF CHECK PRESENTATION AND THE JACKIE ROBINSON FOUNDATION
ARIZONA INFORMANT — During Week 5 of the MLB World Series, Capital One presented a $250,000 check to the Jackie Robinson Foundation as the culmination of its year-long Capital One Walk-Off campaign, where they gave the Foundation $1,000 for every walk-off hit during the season (minimum guarantee of $250K).

During Week 5 of the MLB World Series, Capital One presented a $250,000 check to the Jackie Robinson Foundation as the culmination of its year-long Capital One Walk-Off campaign, where they gave the Foundation $1,000 for every walk-off hit during the season (minimum guarantee of $250K).
Judge Velva Moses-Thompson of Phoenix, Arizona is an alum of the Jackie Robinson Foundation and received the check on behalf of the Foundation. It is the second year of the program, and between the Walk-Off campaign and other grants, they have given the Foundation $850,000 to date – with a renewal for 2024 currently underway. As part of the program, Capital One cardholders receive a $3 discount off tickets to the Jackie Robinson Museum.

Founded in 1973 by Rachel Robinson, the Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) grants scholarships of up to $35,000 over four years to talented college students with financial need to ensure their success and develop their leadership potential. JRF provides hands-on mentoring support, access to internship and full-time jobs, and graduate-level fellowship grants. JRF has provided $117 million in financial scholarships and programmatic services over the past 50 years.
JRF website: www.jackierobinson.org
JR Museum website: www.jackierobinsonmuseum.org
Facebook.com/JRF42
Twitter & Instagram @JRFoundation
Youtube.com/JRobinsonFdtn
The post BRIEF SUMMARY OF CHECK PRESENTATION AND THE JACKIE ROBINSON FOUNDATION appeared first on Arizona Informant.
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