The Pasadena Journal was here to see the inauguration and swearing in of Nelson Mandela as the President of South Africa, and we were here for the election and inauguration of Barack Obama as the first Black President of the United States. The Journal has been in print since 1989. We’ve watched a number of local newspapers come and go in Pasadena. We are proud of the Journal’s history, though it seems that the struggle is never over. The struggle with Coronavirus seems to have married our continuous struggles to keep us down. However, we keep on going and believe that our commitment and dedication to keep the black voice alive is supported by the community we serve.
We are proud of the local churches and businesses who have supported us over the past thirty plus years. We have survived on the advertising we receive that enables us to provide the paper at no cost to the community. We are grateful to “The Friends of the Journal” who have given contributions to help us keep going. Our beginning was based on the principle of filling a need that no one else was filling. The black community has been the subject of criminal stories, but lacking in affordable announcement of weddings, significant birthdays, graduations, the events hosted by our churches and organizations, and the accomplishments and activities of our children. The Journal provides occupational opportunities for those interested in journalism. We’ve worked with the Pasadena Unified School District academies and placed over 20 African American youth interns. We feel it is of utmost importance to give young people the experience of working in an office setting where they are exposed to the business world, working with the public, learning new skills, professionalism and responsibility. Secondary to the importance of reporting news and information, we feel that we are charged with bringing forth issues of concern to the black community. We have been honored to be in a position to highlight disparities in our community. We have taken issue with what we felt were unfair policies and practices with the Pasadena Playhouse, Tournament of Roses Association, the City of Pasadena, Pasadena City College, and the Pasadena Unified School District, among other local institutions. We also reported on first hand information on the Oklahoma Bombing – the untold story. For instance national media showed a white fireman holding a little black child but failed to show the black fireman who rescued the child from the rubble and handed him to the white fireman. The national and international media touted the white fireman as a hero. The Journal also provides coverage and information on Black History, The Willie Lynch Letter, Junteenth, Kwanza, and Black Music (Blues, Jazz, Gospel) and the Annual Women’s Health Conference. Our celebrations include Black History month, Dr Martin Luther King’s Birthday, Juneteenth and other days of significance, with an emphasis on issues of importance to the Black experience such as Black Writers on Tour, the Trumpet Awards and Historical Black Colleges and Universities. The Pasadena Journal is proud to have hosted the Pasadena Black Expo, Pasadena Marketplaces and the Women of Achievement Breakfast. Throughout our 30 plus years of publishing, wherever we’ve traveled, we’ve shared with our readers information, lifestyles, cultures and the issues of other countries that affect the African Diaspora across the world such as in Europe (Italy, England, and France) Jamaica, Africa and over 20 states and territories in the U.S. including Puerto Rico, San Juan and Hawaii. As we embark on our 31st year we ask you to come with us on this never ending Journey. As you can imagine, the coronavirus has affected the bottom line of the Journal and has caused to seek ways to stay in business during turbulent time. We are looking at social media platforms for some solutions. We ask that you to partner with us by taking out an electronic subscription by visiting our website at https://www.pasadenajournal.com/online-subscription.html. By doing so you will help us to keep you informed and provide a vehicle celebrate you and to voice your issues and concerns. With your support, we will continue…. |
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