Founder Of NYC’s First Black Daily Newspaper Dies At 88

Thomas H. Watkins, the pioneering media mogul who transformed the landscape of the Black Press by founding New York City’s first Black-owned daily newspaper, has passed away at the age of 88.

A titan of industry and a fierce advocate for the Black press, Watkins served as the founder, CEO, and publisher of the New York Daily Challenge. Based in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, the flagship publication became a cornerstone of the community. At its peak, the award-winning paper generated nearly $30 million in annual revenue, demonstrating that Black-owned media was a necessity and a commercial powerhouse.

Watkins’ influence extended far beyond the five boroughs. He built a formidable media empire that included the Afro Times, New American, and a series of “Challenge” publications across Jersey City, Paterson, and Newark. His leadership was recognized nationally; he served as the Chairman of the National Newspaper Publishers Association from 1989 to 1992 and remained a dedicated board member for decades.

Journalism and activism were central to the Watkins family legacy. His grandfather once argued before Congress for federal anti-lynching protections, and his father was instrumental in the growth of the Amsterdam News. Watkins famously challenged the status quo, often asking, “The question isn’t why do we have one African-American newspaper. It’s why don’t we have more?”

Watkins was a frequent keynote speaker at nonprofits and HBCUs, including Bethune-Cookman University and Johnson C. Smith University. He was also a member of the Omega Psi Phi and Sigma Pi Phi fraternities.

Watkins is survived by his brother, Kevin; his children, Kerri and Thomas III; and eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. His mission to empower the Black voice remains a guiding light for the next generation of journalists.