New Pittsburgh Courier facts for kids

The New Pittsburgh Courier is a weekly newspaper for African-American communities. It is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. This newspaper is owned by a company called Real Times.

A Newspaper's Journey

The New Pittsburgh Courier is named after an older newspaper. This original paper was called the Pittsburgh Courier. It was published from 1907 to 1965.

The Original Pittsburgh Courier

In the 1930s and 1940s, the original Pittsburgh Courier was very important. It was one of the largest and most influential African-American newspapers in the country. At its peak, it sold over 350,000 copies across the nation.

A New Beginning

Sales for the original Courier went down in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1965, a publisher named John H. Sengstacke bought it. He also published The Chicago Defender, another important African-American newspaper.

John H. Sengstacke gave the paper a new name in 1966. He called it the New Pittsburgh Courier. He did this to help manage some old financial issues. He wanted to make sure the newspaper could keep going.

Sengstacke believed the newspaper was very important. He said, "The Black press is the only true voice Black people have." He worked hard to make sure this voice was heard. The New Pittsburgh Courier officially reopened in 1967.

Joining a Newspaper Family

The New Pittsburgh Courier became part of Sengstacke's group of newspapers. This group included the Defender and other well-known African-American publications.

First African-American Woman Editor

In 1974, Sengstacke made Hazel B. Garland the editor-in-chief. This was a big moment in history. She became the first African-American woman to be an editor of a national newspaper.

Sengstacke trusted Hazel Garland a lot. He said she had done a great job before as city editor. He believed she would continue to lead the paper well. He felt she was a "guiding force" for the newspaper's future.

Two years later, in 1976, the New Pittsburgh Courier won an important award. It received the John B. Russwurm Award. This award recognized it as the best national African-American newspaper.

New Owners for the Courier

John H. Sengstacke passed away in 1997. His group of four newspapers was then held in a family trust. In 2003, the newspapers were sold for almost $12 million.

The new owner was Real Times. This group of investors had business and family connections to Sengstacke. One of the new owners was Thomas Sengstacke Picou, Sengstacke's nephew.

In 2002, Thomas Sengstacke Picou shared his plans for the New Pittsburgh Courier. He wanted the paper to focus more on in-depth stories and arts. He also planned to create a website for the paper. At that time, neither the New Pittsburgh Courier nor the Defender had a website. He also mentioned a change in the paper's political view, moving towards "conservative independence."