Launa Q. Newman facts for kids

Launa Q. Newman (born December 30, 1920 – died February 3, 2009) was an important American journalist. She was also a dedicated social activist. She lived in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Launa is remembered for her big contributions to the African-American community in South Minneapolis. She also helped publish two newspapers, The Minneapolis Spokesman and St. Paul Recorder. These newspapers later joined together to become the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. She worked on these papers with her husband, Cecil Newman.

Early Life and Family

Launa Newman was born in Topeka, Kansas. Her parents were Gilber and Ethel Quincy. When she was two years old, her family moved to Des Moines, Iowa. In Des Moines, her father Gilber started a business. He worked as a tailor and also cleaned clothes.

Launa married her first husband, Wallace O’Neal Jackman, in Des Moines. They had two children together. In 1958, she moved to the Twin Cities area. Nine years later, in 1967, she married her second husband, Cecil Earl Newman.

A Career in Journalism

Cecil and Launa Newman strongly believed in a fair and equal Minneapolis and St. Paul. They worked hard to fight against racism. Cecil started the Minneapolis Spokesman and the St. Paul Recorder newspapers in 1934. In 1958, the newspaper office moved to a new location.

When Cecil was in charge, Launa began helping him. She managed how the newspapers were distributed. She also handled public relations. Slowly, she took on more management duties. She became a trusted helper and advisor to Cecil.

Leading the Newspaper

After her husband Cecil passed away in 1978, Launa took over the newspapers. She made many important changes. She updated the printing system. She also improved how the business ran. In 2000, the two separate newspapers officially merged. They became the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder.

Launa later passed the business on to her children. These included Oscar Newman (Cecil's son), Norma Jean Williams, and Wallace Jackman (her children with Wallace O’Neal Jackman). After this, she spent more time helping her community. She was on the board of the Minneapolis Boy's Club. She was also a member of the Minneapolis Women's Club. In 2007, she sold the newspaper business to her granddaughter, Tracey Williams. Launa retired from journalism after working for the newspaper for 32 years.

Lasting Legacy

In November 2019, the Mayor and City Council of Minneapolis honored Launa Newman. They also honored another activist named Clarissa Walker. They renamed a street corridor after them. The announcement said that "Launa Q. Newman Way" would be along 4th Avenue South in Minneapolis. It runs from East 36th Street to East 42nd Street. This honor remembers her important work and contributions to the community.

See also

• 38th Street (Minneapolis)