The Skanner facts for kids
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| Type | Weekly newspaper |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Bernard V. Foster |
| Founded | October 1975 |
| Headquarters | Portland, Oregon |
| Circulation | 75,000 |
| ISSN | 1543-6357 |
| OCLC number | 12566075 |
The Skanner or The Skanner News is a newspaper that focuses on the African-American community. It covers news in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Its main office is in Portland, Oregon. It also has an office in Seattle, Washington. Before 2020, The Skanner printed a newspaper every week. It also had a daily website and an online copy of the printed paper.
Bernard Foster started the newspaper in 1975. He later became a part-owner of another newspaper, the Northwest Dispatch, in Tacoma, Washington in 1985. In 1996, he launched a Seattle version of The Skanner.
Foster was a leader in the West Coast Black Publishers Association. In 1992, as president of the group, he helped make a deal with the company Nordstrom. This deal meant Nordstrom would spend $220,000 on ads in 20 Black newspapers in the western U.S.
About The Skanner Newspaper
In a time when many newspapers are owned by large companies, The Skanner News is special. It is one of the few newspapers that is still privately owned. This means it is not part of a big media group.
The Skanner's own reporters look into important issues for all minority groups in the Pacific Northwest. But the newspaper also covers news from around the country and the world.
The Skanner often speaks up against governments or large organizations. It does this when they are not treating minority groups fairly. The paper discusses topics like how neighborhoods change due to gentrification, education, and police accountability.
Every week, The Skanner publishes opinion articles from well-known writers. These include Benjamin Chavis, Marian Wright Edelman, Earl Ofari Hutchinson, Jesse Jackson, Julianne Malveaux, Marc Morial, and Al Sharpton.
The newspaper also features reviews of books and movies. It has interviews with celebrities, all from an African-American point of view. These are often written by Kam Williams.
Sometimes, The Oregonian, a major newspaper in Oregon, shares stories from The Skanner on its website, Oregon Live.
The Skanner's Mission
The Skanner sees its newspaper and website as tools for the community. They help people learn what is happening around them. They also give readers a chance to share their own thoughts. The Skanner works hard to help the Black Press grow in the Northwestern United States. Its mission statement is: "Challenging People to Shape a Better Future Now."
History of The Skanner
The Skanner has been publishing news in Portland since October 1975. It has been publishing in Seattle since 1990.
Bernie Foster and Bobbie Doré Foster started the newspaper in 1975. They were inspired by the ideas of Martin Luther King Jr.. Even today, The Skanner publishes a special issue every January. It also holds a breakfast to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. At this event, they give college scholarships to students who have done well in school.
In 1979, the newspaper's building was badly damaged by fire. Much of its supplies and equipment were destroyed. But the owners kept the paper going. Some people thought the fire was set on purpose, but this was never proven.
In 1989, The Skanner started a campaign to change the name of Union Avenue in Portland. They wanted to rename it Martin Luther King Boulevard. Their campaign was successful!
In 2009, the newspaper's owners put security cameras on their main office in North Portland. After the cameras were installed, crime in the area went down by 50 percent. Police said that the newspaper's watchfulness helped reduce crime.
Since 2012, The Skanner has shown a solar meter. This meter tracks the energy they get from the many solar panels on the roof and awning of their North Killingsworth building.
