Every year, Black Press Week (March 11-16) is an opportunity to celebrate and promote the achievements of Black journalists and media professionals, and to discuss the challenges facing the industry. This year marks the 197th year of the Black Press of America, with the first Black newspaper being published in 1827 called Freedom’s Journal. During this year’s Black Press Week, the Defender unveils its new direction.
“For more than 90 years, the Defender has stood as a beacon of truth in the Black community,” said Defender Managing Editor ReShonda Tate. “We have shown that the legacy of the Black press endures, reminding us of the power of storytelling, the importance of representation, and the necessity of speaking truth to power. We are excited to be on the forefront of continuing to tell our stories.”
The Houston Defender story
When C.F. Richardson founded the Houston Defender in 1930, he made a commitment to use the paper to tell stories that would have otherwise gone untold. He published reports on the dehumanizing of Blacks in the familiar and militant style for which he was known. His writings drew attention locally and nationally, eventually making him and his family the victims of threats. Richardson was beaten by members of the Ku Klux Klan in response to his outspoken commentary. Still, the publication prevailed.
His son, C.F. Richardson Jr., continued that legacy until 1981 when he sold the paper to Sonceria “Sonny” Messiah Jiles, who had been working under him to learn the newspaper business. Richardson helped Messiah Jiles grow her awareness of the impact and historical value of the Black press.
From covering the battles of Black judges against attempts to remove them from ballots to exposing voter suppression tactics, the Defender has been instrumental in amplifying voices often marginalized by mainstream media.
Focusing on the future
For decades, The Defender’s primary source of information dissemination has been the newspaper. But with changing times came a change in how the news is delivered. According to a Pew Research study, 86% of Americans get their news from smartphones, tablets or computers at least some of the time. Additionally, Americans prefer to get their news from digital sources, with 58% choosing apps and websites over any other kind of news. Just 27% tap TV as their first pick and only 5% prefer print.
“We’ve looked at the data,” Messiah Jiles said, “and while we remain committed to our print customers, we had to shift our focus to the ever-expanding digital platforms where our audience is. We will continue to deliver a print product, but we are growing our digital presence to reach more readers who rely on mobile devices and laptops for news consumption.”
Messiah Jiles says this includes producing innovative videos, focusing on solution-oriented journalism, and delivering engaging, empowering and impactful news.
Weathering the storm
Running a business like the Defender Network hasn’t been easy. Like many businesses, there have been challenges. Issues like rebounding after COVID, declining capital, and keeping up with changes in the marketplace and technology have made progress a struggle. Still, the Defender has weathered many storms to not only survive but thrive.
Messiah Jiles thinks the Defender has continued to operate for a number of reasons. But she gives most of the credit to her staff.
“Our staff is what makes the difference. They care about the community and the product we produce. Too often people try to pigeonhole the business into being all about the publisher/CEO. It’s so much more than that,” said Messiah Jiles. “I’ve worked diligently to assemble a top-notch staff that is committed to amplifying Black voices. Any business that survives and thrives for over 90 years is a testament to Black resilience.”
As CEO/Publisher, Messiah Jiles leads a team that includes:
Audience Engagement Manager, Clyde Jiles – Jiles, the youngest son of Sonny and her husband, Jodie, has grown up immersed in all things Defender. Recently, he came on board as Audience Engagement Manager, overseeing the growth and development of the Defender Network.
Managing Editor, ReShonda Tate – A long-time journalist and former Houston television news reporter, Tate has been with the Defender in some capacity since graduating from The University of Texas at Austin in 1991. A national bestselling author of more than 50 books, she oversees the editorial department, as well as writes solution-oriented, engaging and informative stories.
Web Manager/Sports Reporter, Terrance Harris – A longtime journalist in the area, Harris has worked for the Defender since 2019. He started out giving our readers the latest on the Texans, Rockets, Texas Southern and Prairie View and much more. Recently, he has added Digital Manager to his duties, where he oversees the Defender’s website coverage and look each day.
Associate Editor, Aswad Walker – A journalist, minister, and college lecturer, Walker has been actively involved in all things Black since his college activist days at the University of Texas in the 80s. Walker has been with the Defender since 2006, serving in several capacities, including his current role as associate editor.
Reporter, Laura Onyeneho – A multimedia journalist covering Houston’s education system as it relates to the Black community, Onyeneho is a Report for America corps member who has reported on social, cultural, lifestyle, and community news for seven years and counting. She is also a traveling emcee who facilitates a diverse range of events from conventions to weddings nationwide.
Reporter, Tannistha Sinha – A special assignments reporter for the Defender and a Report for America corps member, Tannistha graduated with a master of science in journalism from the University of Southern California in 2022. Since her first news assignment in a renowned newsroom in 2015, Sinha’s works have been published by American and Indian publications like BuzzFeed News, USC Annenberg Media, HousingWire, The Telegraph and The Hindu.
Sports Reporter/Photographer, Jimmie Aggison – Since 2017 Jimmie has been capturing various events in the Black community on behalf of the Defender. Dedicated to professionalism with a unique level of creativity, he now oversees high school sports as he tells the stories of young athletes who are often overlooked.
Video Editor, Bryan Erdy
Special Projects/Advertising, Jodie B. Jiles – Formerly the high school sports reporter and the oldest son of Sonny, Jodie has transitioned to client customer service handling advertising and building new coalitions and collaborations.
Amplifying Black Voices
In an effort to continue amplifying Black voices, the Defender has a number of endeavors already in the works, with more on the way. Those include:
Revamped Sports Programming – Led by Jimmie Aggison and Jodie B. Jiles, this combination of high quality photography and videography has attracted national attention and earned this dynamic duo acclaim for their coverage of local sports.
Channels – The Defender’s new concept called DN+ is a collection of channels entitled Black Women, Community Central and Under 40. Mini-publishers include Tate (Black Women’s Channel), Walker (Community Channel) and Onyeneho (Under 40 Channel). Visitors can expect engaging, enlightening and educational original stories geared toward those groups.
Top 5 Newsletter – Every morning, at 7 a.m., the Defender sends out a newsletter of the Top 5 Stories that readers need to be aware of. Sign up today.
Video, video and more video – The Defender is amping up our video strategy with the hiring of award-winning videographer Bryan Erdy.
More promotion – The Defender has launched the “Raising Black Voices” campaign, made possible by funding from the Google News Initiative, community donations, and the creative work of the agency Carlberg Branding & Advertising. This initiative will include billboards, commercials, and other efforts to further promote the Defender brand in 2024.
Partnerships – One of the things you can expect to see more of from the Defender is partnerships and collaborations. Currently, the Defender has partnered with Fox26 and many Word in Black partners including Chaz Zuckerberg, Deloitte, Robert Woods Johnson and several others to produce content relevant to the Black community. The Defender has also established alliances with various organizations like Texas Children’s Hospital, JPMorgan Chase, Kelsey Seybold Clinic, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and more.
Forging ahead
Through the years, the Defender’s commitment to the Black community has paid off. The Houston Defender is the recipient of two prestigious A. Philip Randolph Messenger Awards, numerous NNPA Merit Awards and named the “Best Black Newspaper Website” in America for 2022 and 2023 by Editor & Publisher, the industry trade publication. The Defender is one of the most widely distributed African-American newspapers in the Greater Houston area. With all that’s in store, readers can expect even greater things from the Defender.
“The Black press serves as a vehicle for economic empowerment, providing opportunities for Black journalists, editors and publishers to thrive in an industry historically dominated by white voices. By creating spaces for Black professionals to tell their own stories and shape their own narratives, the Black press fosters greater diversity and representation in media. The Houston Defender is proud to be a part of the Black press story,” said Defender Network Associate Editor Aswad Walker.
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Awards & Honors
The Defender’s commitment to excellence has been recognized with numerous awards:
“Best website,” Editor & Publisher
Local Media Association
1st Place: Best Virtual Event
1st Place: Best Social Media Engagement Strategy
2nd Place: Best Philanthropy Journalism Fundraising
2nd Place: Best Product Initiative
3rd Place: Best Event
3rd Place: BestContest | Promotion
National Newspaper Publishers Association Awards
1st Place: Layout & Design
1st Place: Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle
2nd Place: Sports
2nd Place: Newspaper Excellence
2nd Place: Original Advertising Campaign
3rd Place: Health
3rd Place: Education
3rd Place: Community Engagement