McMillan, Allan W., 1900-1991

Allan W. McMillan, a longtime columnist for The Amsterdam News and the first black syndicated columnist, made his reputation as an entertainment writer, Broadway columnist and publicist. His column for The Amsterdam News "Allan's Alley," was syndicated in the late 1930's; he wrote a similar gossip column entitled "On Broadway" in the 1970's for the weekly The New York Voice, which billed itself as "New York's fastest growing interracial newspaper."

McMillan headed several public relations firms primarily for black entertainers, with the bulk of his clients being singers and musicians. The companies, all in New York City, were Allan McMillan and Associates, D'Or Recording Company, Jay-R-Jay Magazine and News Publishing Corporation, and T.P. Productions. He was also a personal press representative and president of the New York Business, Civic and Cultural Association as well as editor-in-chief of the International News and Picture Syndicate.

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