Acel Moore facts for kids

Acel Moore (born October 5, 1940 – died February 12, 2016) was a very important American journalist. He worked for a long time as a reporter, writer, and editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper. In 1977, Acel Moore won a special award called the Pulitzer Prize for his excellent reporting. He was also one of the first Black journalists to be hired at The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Early Life and Service

Acel Moore and his twin brother were born in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He went to Overbrook High School in 1958. After high school, he joined the United States Army. He worked as a medic for three years until 1962.

A Career in Journalism

Acel Moore began his newspaper career in 1962 at The Philadelphia Inquirer. He started as a copy boy, which meant he helped move news stories and messages around the office. By 1968, his hard work paid off, and he became a full reporter.

Winning the Pulitzer Prize

In 1977, Acel Moore and another reporter, Wendell Rawls, Jr., won a Pulitzer Prize. This award is one of the highest honors in journalism. They won for their special investigative reporting. They looked into the conditions at a hospital for people with mental illness in Pennsylvania. Their work helped to show what was happening there.

Championing Diversity in News

Acel Moore was a leader in making sure more people from different backgrounds could become journalists. In 1973, he helped start the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. He later also helped create the National Association of Black Journalists. These groups work to support Black journalists and encourage diversity in newsrooms.

Moore also worked on a PBS television show called "Black Perspectives on the News" in the 1970s. He shared his knowledge by teaching journalism at several universities. These included the University of California-Berkeley, Temple University, and Florida A & M University.

The Nieman Foundation at Harvard University said he was a "champion of newsroom diversity." This means he strongly supported having many different voices and viewpoints in the news. Michel Martin of National Public Radio said Moore helped many young journalists. He was a mentor, guiding them and helping them start their careers.

Acel Moore retired from journalism in 2005. In 2011, he received a special lifetime achievement award from the National Association of Black Journalists.

Personal Life

Acel Moore was married to Linda Wright. They had two children, a daughter named Mariah and a son named Acel Jr. Acel Moore Sr. passed away on February 12, 2016. He was buried at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.

A Lasting Legacy

Acel Moore's impact on journalism continues today. The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper holds an event every year called the Acel Moore High School Journalism Workshop. This program helps high school students in the Philadelphia area learn about journalism. They get hands-on experience in writing, digital news, and photography.

The School District of Philadelphia once considered renaming a school after him. The Andrew Jackson School (Philadelphia) was being renamed, and "Acel Moore School" was one of the final choices. Although it wasn't chosen, it shows how much he was respected in his community.