Founded 60 years ago, The Atlanta Voice newspaper has remained the longest-running Black-owned newspaper in metro Atlanta. The publication birthed during the Civil Rights Movement, was founded by J. Lowell Ware and Ed Clayton.
The first edition of the paper was published on May 11, 1966. Its founding motto, “A People Without A Voice Cannot Be Heard,” is still being amplified today through the publication’s diverse storytelling that centers news and information, while also offering close-up coverage of the social and political stories about Black life in metro Atlanta.
“The fact they were trying to tell the other side of the story, because mainstream newspapers told it from their vantage point — and we have to always ensure that we have a way of hearing our side of the story from our vantage point, and what changes we need to make and adapt to be able to continue to survive,” explained Janis Ware, the publisher of The Atlanta Voice.
Mr. Ware passed away in 1991, and his daughter Janis followed in his footsteps, becoming the publisher of the paper. She said it’s an honor to continue her father’s legacy and vision.
“ Actually, I completed the University of Georgia back in 1977, and when I finished, I thought I would work for my father for three years, and that would kind of pay him back for that college education ’cause I came out debt-free,” said Ware on Tuesday’s edition of “Closer Look.” “And now, 49 years later, I’m still working under that same roof.”
