Thomas H. Watkins, the pioneering media mogul who transformed the landscape of the Black Press by founding New York City’s first Black-owned daily newspaper, has passed away at the age of 88.
A titan of industry and a fierce advocate for the Black press, Watkins served as the founder, CEO, and publisher of the New York Daily Challenge. Based in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, the flagship publication became a cornerstone of the community. At its peak, the award-winning paper generated nearly $30 million in annual revenue, demonstrating that Black-owned media was a necessity and a commercial powerhouse.
Watkins’ influence extended far beyond the five boroughs. He built a formidable media empire that included the Afro Times, New American, and a series of “Challenge” publications across Jersey City, Paterson, and Newark. His leadership was recognized nationally; he served as the Chairman of the National Newspaper Publishers Association from 1989 to 1992 and remained a dedicated board member for decades…