George E. Curry, an award-winning veteran journalist and a fierce advocate for the Black press, died from an apparent heart attack on Saturday evening. He was 69.
The former editor and publisher of Emerge magazine, Curry used the publication’s platform to raise awareness about critical issues that impacted the African American community and to take aim at controversial figures within the Black community like U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who he placed on the magazine’s cover twice, once wearing an Aunt-Jemima-style handkerchief and the other in a lawn jockey suit.
“If I had an opportunity to do it over,” he once quipped about his famous 1993 magazine cover, “I would tie the Aunt Jemima knot tighter.”
Over the weekend, journalists, celebrities and political figures paid tribute to the Tuscaloosa native whose career as a publisher, editor, columnist and reporter spanned across four decades.
“This was my man,” journalist Roland Martin tweeted on Sunday. “Fearless in the face of criticism. Willing to hold Black leadership accountable. Committed to Black media.”
Added Roy S. Johnson, director of sports for the Alabama Media Group:
“George Curry shouted when few wanted to hear, whispered when the message was for our ears only. His voice will long resonate.”
