John H. Sengstacke
Encyclopedia
John Herman Henry Sengstacke (November 25, 1912 – May 28, 1997) was an African American
newspaper publisher. He worked with President Franklin D. Roosevelt
to have African American reporters in the White House and to create jobs in the United States Postal Service
for African Americans. One of John’s biggest objectives was to desegregate the armed forces. Ultimately, President Harry Truman named Sengstacke to the commission he formed to integrate the military. Sengstacke established the National Newspaper Publishers Association, which was an endeavor to unify and strengthen African-American owned papers. He served seven terms as president of the association.
, Georgia
to Alexander Sengstacke on November 25, 1912. At a young age, John worked for the Woodville Times, which was owned by his grandfather and later his father Alexander Sengstacke.
His uncle Robert Sengstacke Abbott
, founded The Chicago Defender in 1905 and was the publisher, trained John to be heir of this newspaper. The Chicago Defender was a widely read black newspaper. John’s uncle paid for his education at the Hampton Institute in Virginia, where he graduated in 1934. It was then that he became Vice President and General Manager of The Robert S. Abbott Publishing Company. In 1940, Robert Abbott died and John Sengstacke inherited his uncle’s newspaper.
In 1956, Sengstacke had another huge milestone in his career; he turned his weekly newspaper into a daily newspaper. At that time, The Chicago Defender was the nations largest African American owned daily paper. Sengstacke also owned the Michigan Chronicle in Detroit, and the Tri-State Defender in Memphis, TN. In the late 1980's he purchased another of history's great Black newspapers, The Pittsburgh Courier. John Sengstacke died on May 28, 1997.
by President William Clinton
. Thomas Sengstacke Picou, nephew of John, headed a group of business people that included Senstacke's son, Robert, that purchased Sengstacke's chain of four newspapers, which at that time was the largest owned chain of African American newspapers in the country.
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
newspaper publisher. He worked with President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
to have African American reporters in the White House and to create jobs in the United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
for African Americans. One of John’s biggest objectives was to desegregate the armed forces. Ultimately, President Harry Truman named Sengstacke to the commission he formed to integrate the military. Sengstacke established the National Newspaper Publishers Association, which was an endeavor to unify and strengthen African-American owned papers. He served seven terms as president of the association.
Biography
He was born in SavannahSavannah
Savannah or savanna is a type of grassland.It can also mean:-People:* Savannah King, a Canadian freestyle swimmer* Savannah Outen, a singer who gained popularity on You Tube...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
to Alexander Sengstacke on November 25, 1912. At a young age, John worked for the Woodville Times, which was owned by his grandfather and later his father Alexander Sengstacke.
His uncle Robert Sengstacke Abbott
Robert Sengstacke Abbott
Robert Sengstacke Abbott was an African American lawyer and newspaper publisher.-Biography:Born on November 24, 1870 in St. Island, Georgia to former slave parents. Abbott was still a baby when his father, Thomas Abbott, died...
, founded The Chicago Defender in 1905 and was the publisher, trained John to be heir of this newspaper. The Chicago Defender was a widely read black newspaper. John’s uncle paid for his education at the Hampton Institute in Virginia, where he graduated in 1934. It was then that he became Vice President and General Manager of The Robert S. Abbott Publishing Company. In 1940, Robert Abbott died and John Sengstacke inherited his uncle’s newspaper.
In 1956, Sengstacke had another huge milestone in his career; he turned his weekly newspaper into a daily newspaper. At that time, The Chicago Defender was the nations largest African American owned daily paper. Sengstacke also owned the Michigan Chronicle in Detroit, and the Tri-State Defender in Memphis, TN. In the late 1980's he purchased another of history's great Black newspapers, The Pittsburgh Courier. John Sengstacke died on May 28, 1997.
Legacy
On January 8, 2001, he was presented, posthumously, with the Presidential Citizens MedalPresidential Citizens Medal
The Presidential Citizens Medal is the second highest civilian award in the United States, second only to the Presidential Medal of Freedom. It is awarded by the President of the United States, and may be given posthumously....
by President William Clinton
William Clinton
Bill Clinton is the 42nd President of the United States. William Clinton may also refer to:*William de Clinton, 1st Earl of Huntingdon , English nobleman from prominent Norman family dating to William the Conqueror; Lord High Admiral as of 1333*William Henry Clinton , British general from...
. Thomas Sengstacke Picou, nephew of John, headed a group of business people that included Senstacke's son, Robert, that purchased Sengstacke's chain of four newspapers, which at that time was the largest owned chain of African American newspapers in the country.
Further reading
- Alkalimat, Abdul. The African American Experience in Cyberspace. Pluto Press, 1994.