The Portland Observer is one of the oldest African-American newspapers in Oregon.[2][3][4] Established in 1970, it is published weekly[5] (on Wednesdays), in Portland, Oregon. Rev. Alfred L. Henderson founded the paper in the 1970s, in the tradition of the People's Observer, a 1940s publication that had ceased publication in 1950.[6] That paper also originally went by the name of "Portland Observer."[6]

Portland Observer
TypeWeekly newspaper
Founder(s)Mark Washington Sr.[1]
PublisherMark Washington[1]
EditorMichael Leighton[1]
Headquarters4747 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd
Portland, OR 97211[1]
CityPortland, Oregon
CountryUnited States
Websiteportlandobserver.com
Free online archivesUniversity of Oregon Libraries

Historic Portland Observer

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The Portland Observer was launched by William H. McClendonn in 1938, but due to the Great Depression, folded in 1939.[7]

Another paper had the same title in Portland, Michigan, from 1876 into the 20th century.[8][9]

Post-1980s

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After several changes in ownership, the Washington family acquired the paper in the 1980s, during which Joyce Washington helmed the publication. Upon her death, Washington's son Charles "Chuck" Washington, a Portland native and a graduate of Jefferson High School, briefly took over as publisher until his death in December 2012.[2] The paper was then passed on to Mark Washington who controls the paper today. Portland politician, radio host, restaurateur, and veteran Bruce Broussard has held a leadership position at the paper.[10] Additionally, Albert Williams is currently the general manager of the Portland Observer and is involved in many aspects including hiring, editing, writing, advertising, and editing.[11] In their website, they state their key focus of bringing stories focused on "education, health, politics, and law and justice" to their readers.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Contact Us". The Portland Observer. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Tims, Dana (December 10, 2012). "Charles Washington, longtime Portland Observer publisher, dies at age 60". The Oregonian. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  3. ^ "Portland Observer Publisher Charles Washington, 1951-2012". The Skanner. December 11, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  4. ^ Brenner, Sammy (December 10, 2012). "Charles Washington, Publisher Of Portland Observer, Is Dead". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  5. ^ Sabatier, Julie (December 10, 2012). "Remembering Charles Washington". Think Out Loud. Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  6. ^ a b Stan Fonseca. "William McClendon (1915–1996)". The Oregon Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  7. ^ "Portland Observer | Historic Black Newspapers of Portland | Portland State University". pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  8. ^ "New P. M. Paper for Lansing". Editor and Publisher. Duncan McIntosh. January 15, 1921. p. 38. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  9. ^ "Portland Observer". Chronicling America. Retrieved 2021-02-23.
  10. ^ Perry, Douglas (August 4, 2016). "Oregon Libertarian Party seeks to raise profile with long-time Republican's endorsement". The Oregonian. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  11. ^ White, Brian (September 14, 1987). "Black newspapers add to media". Portland Business Journal. 4.
  12. ^ "Committed to Cultural Diversity | The Portland Observer". portlandobserver.com. Retrieved 2020-02-29.
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45°33′25″N 122°39′43″W / 45.557°N 122.662°W / 45.557; -122.662