Lu Palmer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lu Palmer
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| Born |
Lutrelle Fleming Palmer, Jr.
March 28, 1922 Newport News, Virginia, U.S.
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| Died | September 12, 2004 (aged 82) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation |
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| Spouse(s) | Georgia Palmer |
| Children | 7 |
| Relatives | Ruth Apilado (second cousin) |
Lu Palmer (born March 28, 1922 – died September 12, 2004) was an important American journalist, activist, and radio host. He was well-known in Chicago for his work as a reporter and for starting his own newspaper. Lu Palmer spent his life fighting for fairness and giving a voice to the Black community.
Contents
Lu Palmer's Story
Lu Palmer was born in Newport News, Virginia. His parents were Myrtle and Lutrelle Sr., who was a school principal. Lu had two sisters who also worked in education.
Early Life and Career
Lu Palmer became a journalist after finishing college. He earned a degree from Virginia Union University in 1942. Later, he got a master's degree from Syracuse University in 1948. He then earned his Ph.D. in Chicago in 1950 from the University of Iowa.
For the next fifty years, Lu Palmer worked as a reporter, newspaper publisher, and radio commentator. He focused on sharing news and opinions important to the Black community. From 1983 until 2013, he also hosted a talk show about important issues.
His Work as a Journalist
Palmer wrote for several newspapers. He was a reporter for the Chicago Defender. He also wrote columns for newspapers like the Chicago Daily News and the Tri-State Defender.
He later started his very own newspaper called Black X-Press Info. This allowed him to share news and ideas that he felt were important.
Political Activism
Lu Palmer was known for speaking his mind. He was a strong supporter of Harold Washington. With Palmer's help, Harold Washington became the first African American Mayor of Chicago. Palmer worked to recruit and organize people. He was also a mentor for the Associated Colleges of the Midwest from 1970 to 1990.
Awards and Recognition
Lu Palmer received many awards for his important work. He was honored for his writing and activism.
- He was added to the Black Writers' Hall of Fame at Chicago State University.
- He was also inducted into the Black Journalists Hall of Fame.
- He received the Jomo Kenyatta Award for Political Activism.
- Grambling State University gave him an Outstanding Service Award.
- In 1982, he received Bell Labs' Black Achievement Against the Odds Award.
- He was given the Proclamation of Unity Award in 1976.
Family Life
Lu Palmer had seven children with his wife, Jorja English Palmer. They lived in the South Side of Chicago. His second cousin was Ruth Apilado, who was also a newspaper editor and writer. She started America's Intercultural Magazine.
