The Florida Star facts for kids
The 19 April 2014 front page of
The Florida Star |
|
| Type | Weekly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Format | Broadsheet |
| Owner(s) | Clara McLaughlin |
| Founder(s) | Eric O. Simpson |
| Publisher | Clara McLaughlin |
| Founded | April 15, 1951 |
| Headquarters | Jacksonville, Florida |
| Circulation | 21,000 |
| Sister newspapers | The Georgia Star |
Have you ever heard of a newspaper that helped change things? The Florida Star is a weekly newspaper from Jacksonville, Florida. It started way back in 1951. Its main goal was to share important news with the African American community in Jacksonville. It's actually the oldest African-American newspaper in Northeast Florida!
Contents
The Story of The Florida Star
Starting a Newspaper for the Community
The Florida Star was created in 1951 by Eric O. Simpson. He had worked for big national newspapers before. Mr. Simpson wanted Jacksonville to have its own newspaper for the African American community. At that time, other local news sources often ignored or didn't fully cover stories about African Americans and the Civil Rights Movement.
Fighting for Civil Rights
During the 1950s and 1960s, The Florida Star became a very important voice. It strongly supported civil rights in Jacksonville. The newspaper encouraged the government to make fair changes. It also supported African American people who ran for political jobs. The Star kept its readers informed about important events like boycotts and sit-ins. These were peaceful protests where people refused to buy things or sit in certain places to show they wanted equal rights.
Challenges and Rebuilding
The newspaper faced some tough times. In 1977, the office building on Myrtle Street was attacked by fire. This caused damage to the front part of the building. Then, in 1993, another fire completely destroyed the building. A lot of the newspaper's old records were lost.
But Eric Simpson and his family were determined! They worked hard to keep the paper going. They even managed to print that week's newspaper only one day late. This showed how much they cared about their readers.
New Leaders for the Newspaper
Eric Simpson led The Florida Star until he passed away in 1994. His wife, Mary Wooten Simpson, took over. Under her leadership, the newspaper grew. They hired more staff, covered more topics, and reached more readers.
Later, their daughter, Erica Simpson, became the managing editor in 2001. In 2002, a well-known media leader named Clara McLaughlin bought the newspaper from the Simpson family. She is now the publisher. In 2007, The Florida Star even started a new edition for Georgia, called The Georgia Star.
Honors and Special Recognition
Eric Simpson received a special honor after he passed away. In 2003, he was added to the Florida Press Association Hall of Fame. This is a very important award for people who have done great things in journalism. Eric Simpson was the first African American person to be given this honor.
