1879 – African American publisher Robert Lee Vann is born in
Ahoskie, North Carolina. He will become a publisher,
lawyer and the nurturing editor of the Black newspaper,
The Pittsburgh Courier. He will attend Western University
of Pennsylvania. He will graduate from Law School in June,
1909. In 1910, he will become the Pittsburgh Courier’s
editor and publisher. Under his leadership, The Courier
will develop into one of the leading Black newspapers of
the era. By the 1930s, it will be one of the highest
circulated Black newspapers in the United States.
As many as 14 different editions will be circulated throughout the
country. He will become involved in politics throughout
his association with The Courier. In 1918, he will be
appointed the fourth assistant city solicitor in Pittsburgh,
the highest position held by an African American in the city
government. Initially a Republican, he will grow
disillusioned with the party and convert to the Democratic
Party. On September 11, 1932, he will deliver a famous speech
at the St. James Literary Forum in Cleveland, Ohio entitled
“The Patriot and the Partisan” and will urge African Americans
throughout the nation to turn away from the Republican party
which had failed them, and support the Democratic party of
Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1932 election. He will support
Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1932 election, and will
subsequently be named special assistant to the U.S. attorney
general. In 1935, he will help campaign for the enactment of
an equal rights law in the State of Pennsylvania. He will
serve as editor and publisher of The Pittsburgh Courier until
he joins the ancestors on October 24, 1940.
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