Walker, William O., 1896-1981

  1. Walker, William O., 1896-1981
  2. Version History
September 19, 1896 Born to Alex and Annie Walker in Selma, Alabama. 1914 1916 Attended Wilberforce University, Ohio. Graduated from the Department of Business. 1918 Graduated from Oberlin Business College, OH. 1919 Joined the news staff of the Pittsburgh Courier. After three weeks service he was promoted to City Editor. 1920 1921 Joined the staff of the Norfolk (Virginia) Journal and Guide as City Editor 1921 1930 Joined with the Murray Brothers Printing Company, Washington, D.C. in founding the Washington Tribune. He served as managing editor of this weekly newspaper but left over a stockholder dispute. 1930 1932 Joined the staff of The Fair Department Store, located in downtown Washington, D.C., as Advertising Manager. This was the first major venture to integrate clerks in a retail store. After a few months, he was promoted to Assistant Manager. In 1932, when a branch store was purchased in Baltimore, he was promoted to manager with full charge of the new store. 1932 Returned to the newspaper field, moving to Cleveland, OH and took over the Cleveland Call and Post. Under his editorship, the paper developed into one of the country's leading Black journals. Along with lawyer, Lawrence O. Payne, partnered to form P & W Publishing Company 1939 1945 Elected to the Cleveland City Council; he served for six years 1941? Co-founded the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) 1946 Elected Republican Ward Leader of Ward 17; served for 10 years 1946 Served as member of United States delegation to investigate status of African Americans stationed in Europe 1946 1957 Served as Secretary of the NNPA 1956 Elected from 21st District to Republican State Central and Executive Committee; reelected in 1958 May, 1957 Organized and served as Chairman, Summit meeting of Negro Leaders in Washington, D.C 1957 1958 Elected to two terms President of NNPA 1957 1958 Organizer and Chairman of Cleveland Leadership Council 1960 1980 Served as member of United States delegation to Africa 1963 1971 Ohio Governor James A. Rhodes named him the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations, making him the first African-American to be an Ohio cabinet member November 29, 1981 Died of heart attack in Cleveland, Ohio

William O Walker contributed greatly to the advancement of the Black Press. His activities concerning the Black Press are documented throughout his long career beginning in 1921 when he joined the Murray Brothers Printing Company, in Washington D.C. Walker briefly left the newspaper industry, then returned in 1932, when he took over the Cleveland Call & Post. Under his direction the Call & Post developed into one of the country's leading Black newspapers.

Another area of importance is Walker's activities with the Republican Party. In 1939 Walker was elected and served on the Cleveland City Council. In 1946 Walker was elected and served as Republican Ward Leader of Ward 17. Elected in 1956 Walker served on the 21st Republican State Central and Executive Committee.

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