MEDIA GIANT GONE, BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN
DAYTON WEEKLY CEO DON BLACK PASSES; LEAVES LEGACY THAT WILL LAST FOREVER
Deon Cash (L) standing, with Media Legend Don Black (R) sitting at Dayton Weekly Headquarters
One of the true pioneers of Media in the Dayton community passed away earlier this week.
Don Black, the CEO of the ultra-successful and groundbreaking media outlet The Dayton Weekly Newspaper, died from health complications.
Black, who helped make the Dayton and Southwest Ohio community become much more aware of the talent that was being overlooked in the African American neighborhoods, started his own media brand in the 70’s.
He launched his first company, Black Associates Photography, Inc., in the early 1970s. It would be changed to Multi-Western PR / Marketing in 1979.
Black was a true visionary, and a extremely hard worker. He rarely took days off, and it was evident even later in his career as he was involved in a myriad of different organizations.
For Black, it was mostly to create opportunities and positive exposure for African-Americans.
I met Mr. Black at Dayton Television (DATV) when he was doing his critically acclaimed TV Show about 4 years ago.
As someone trying to find my way myself, he gave me some encouraging words which I would heed.
So much so, that I would end up working for the Dayton Weekly, under Mr. Black, as a freelance sports journalist just months later.
It would be my first job in the Media world.
We would meet every week, and Mr. Black had a game plan every week. The cool thing about Mr. Black, was that if you had your plan intact he’d let you implement that as well. He would let you grow and develop as a writer or reporter and let you put your own spin on a topic or story.
He was a motivational expert, and his “Matter of Fact” bravado and speeches was simply from a man, who had seen it all, had done it all, and seemingly was wise beyond his years.
Working with some of the legends in entertainment, politics, and sports, it put Black on a optic level few African-Americans could reach in Southwest Ohio.
The Chicago born Black would start his last big venture, the Dayton Weekly Newspaper, in 1993. This Newspaper still is one of the most popular streams of media in Dayton today and currently provides news to thousands of loyal customers in Southwest Ohio.
The Weekly just celebrated 25 years of service to the Miami Valley.
The Weekly is now being run by his son Donerik, as the brand looks to continue the legacy that his dad started. The Newspaper has already merged with a business to produce a online website and content.
Black, here with his new endeavor, Dayton Weekly Newspaper
Some of the organizations he was heavily involved in were:
The Greater Dayton Association of Black Journalists, Ohio Governor's Conference of Minority Business, the Dayton National Business League, the Dayton Minority Enterprise Small Business Investment Company, Kettering Medical Center, Bank One, the Dayton NAACP and Dayton Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
His right hand man, and son, Donerik Black, who now is CEO of the Dayton Weekly News, had this to say about his father as he passed:
“Today my hero took his last breath at 5:08 p.m. at Hospice of Dayton, surrounded by me, my sister, his granddaughter, daughter-in-law and holding hands with my mom, his wife of 53 years. Words can’t describe the heaviness I feel in my heart right now. I have a void in my soul and I have no idea how to fill it. But if I know my dad he would make me promise to get the paper out on time and make sure that there are lots of pictures. So I’m going to mourn the loss of the man who gave me life and opportunity tonight, but tomorrow I’m getting back to work because I know that’s what he would want me to do.”
Spoken brilliantly, like a son who was prepped to take the reins from his dad.
Rest in peace to a man who dedicated his whole life to making sure that the Black community and people like me, his son, the Dayton Weekly family, and other African-Americans had a real opportunity to make a impact in the world today.
Thank you Mr. Don Black for taking me under your wing and showing me the ropes. I will forever be grateful.
Black was 74 years old. He leaves a son, a daughter, a wife, and a amazing legacy that will be cherished for decades.
Respect to one of the media greats.
