INTRODUCTION
Shortly after the news of Les Payne’s passing reached me, the editors of The Undefeated, an online news platform that explores the intersection of race, sports and culture — and whose very name exemplifies the life Les lived — asked me to write a tribute to this journalism giant.
This book begins with a reprint of that piece. Interspersed throughout the remaining pages are tributes written by NABJ’s president and a selection of NABJ Founders and members of the William Monroe Trotter Group, an organization of black columnists that Les cofounded. Also to be found on these pages is a selection of what I call “Payne-isms,” some of Les’ musings, introspections and verbal jousts.
More than a decade ago, Les shared with me his “Tips for Young Journalists.” Now, in turn, I share them with you. As with other tributes to this fallen hero, the pieces in this book are meant to ensure that Les Payne, through our remembrance of his voice and our reflections, finds eternal life.
DeWayne Wickham is a founding member and former president of NABJ. He and Les were friends for 43 years.
This tribute booklet was distributed at the annual convention of the National Association of Black Journalists in Detroit on Aug. 2, 2018. Les Payne was a founder and fourth president of the organization, as well as co-founder of the Trotter Group.CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PDF