By Macy Meinhardt, Voice & Viewpoint Staff Writer
In the realm of journalism, The Black Press stands to uplift the narrative by voices that have historically gone unheard. As The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint marks its 64th year in service, it not only commemorates its rich legacy but also reaffirms the Black Press as a beacon of empowerment, resilience, and unwavering advocacy for social justice.
During its 11th Gala Event on Feb. 10 at Liberty Station Conference Center, Voice & Viewpoint extended gratitude to the community for the publication’s enduring presence and paid homage to the 197 year–old existence of the Black Press.
“News has no color. But we cover the news from a Black perspective,” said Publisher Dr. John E. Warren, during introductory comments.
An anchor within the community since 1960, through its pages, generations of readers have found inspiration, solidarity, and a sense of belonging–generating a profound impact on the lives of Black San Diegans and beyond.
The night drew a guest list of over three hundred attendees, ranging from community members, sponsors of the paper, and local leaders including Mayor Todd Gloria and Senior Member of his Staff Chida Warren-Darby. In addition to being Director of the City of San Diego’s Boards and Commissions, Warren-Darby is also the daughter of Publisher John E. Warren. Growing up under the legacy of Voice & Viewpoint, her background in community involvement and civic service are traits that are currently shaping Warren-Darby’s campaign trail for District 4 San Diego Councilmember.
“This event is emblematic of what this paper means to our city as the Black community overall. We’re all still here.” Said Mayor Todd Gloria.
“Black history is American history, Black history is San Diego history. We can not rightly claim ourselves to be America’s finest city without the contributions of African Americans to America’s Finest City.”
Additionally, Mayor Gloria also took the chance to acknowledge the thousands of San Diegans affected by the recent historic flooding last month.
In honor of the critical support displayed by the Southeastern community during the storms, Voice & Viewpoint took the opportunity to give special recognition to the ‘Southeastern Disaster Response Team”. The team is made up of a variety of local organizations and volunteers who have had boots on the ground since Jan. 22, providing life-saving services for families and homes who suffered from the catastrophic event.
Furthermore, the Gala also highlighted community leaders, change makers, and unsung heroes through a variety of awards.
Unsung Hero Award Recipients
The Unsung Hero Award is the paper’s effort to recognize people who normally do not get recognized for their continuous labor. The Recipients:
- Jennie Hamilton
- Detlef Andreas Williams
- Peggy Lee Cooper
Additionally, the Organizational Excellence Award on behalf of Voice & Viewpoint went to Samantha Williams, Co-Founder and Executive Director of JIREH Providers.
JIREH Providers, is made up of a dedicated team of community advocates pushing for equity in healthcare.
The Changemaker award went to the Founder and Co-Founder of Black San Diego, Tinicia Smith, and Sheri Jones. The award is representative of leaders of the visionary, innovative, and collaborative work of the next generation of leaders in the community. Black San Diego serves as a social and business network founded in 2016 that has since amassed over 40,000 members.
Highlighting the notable legacy that Voice and Viewpoint has served in the community, upon accepting their awards, Smith and Jones acknowledged the presence the paper had when they were growing up, and the honor it is to be on stage accepting an award now as distinguished adults.
Lastly, the Gerri Warren Humanitarian Award went out to Mark Jenkins, Funeral Director of Preferred Cremation and Burial and Dr. Jerome Robinson, Board Certified Internist and Cardiologist.
Mrs. Gerri Warren was the late publisher of San Diego Voice and Viewpoint. She is recognized first, as a lover of people who had used her visionary abilities and entrepreneurship to always give back to the community. In honor of her spirit, this year’s Humanitarian Award recipients went out to individuals, Jenkins and Robinson, who best embody the spirit of Gerri and her love of the community.
Since its inception in 1960, Voice & Viewpoint has been a champion for Black empowerment, providing a platform for marginalized voices, highlighting issues of systemic injustice, and celebrating the achievements and contributions of the Black community. Standing in its 64th year of service, Voice & Viewpoint recognizes that the Future Is Now, and remains committed to serving as a catalyst for documenting positive change through multimedia storytelling, interactive platforms, and community-driven initiatives.
