Changing Times Call for Structural Changes at the Dayton Weekly News

Updated: Sep 11, 2023

A Letter from the Editor

Don G. Black, Founder of the Dayton Weekly News

Dear Loyal Readers,

In 1993, my father Don G. Black saw a need for a publication that would tell the stories of our community from our own perspective. He wanted to create a platform for African American voices to be heard. He noticed a void in the media and became determined to fill it. He saw a problem worth risking his own time and money to solve.

For the past 30 years, the Dayton Weekly News has been a vital source of news and information for the African American community in Dayton. We have covered everything from local politics to national news, from business to entertainment, and from sports to culture. We have also been a strong advocate, fighting for equality and justice. Through the Dayton Weekly News, Don Black always strove to provide readers with accurate, unbiased, and informative reporting. That imperative was passed on to me in 2019, when he suffered a stroke that made it impossible for him to continue his life’s work.

We are proud of the work that we have done over the past 30 years, but we know that there is still more work to be done. Our charge to empower our readers with information to make informed decisions about their lives is just as important today, as it was in 1993. We are committed to reporting on the issues that matter most to our community and will continue to be a voice for the voiceless. The marking of our 30th anniversary is in many ways a renewal of our commitment to Dayton. Yet, while the mission is the same, I also need to acknowledge the challenges that we face as a news organization.

The world has changed a lot in the past 30 years. The media landscape is changing rapidly, and we are having to adapt. Rising printing costs, rising distribution costs, a shrinking workforce and advertising opportunities are just a few of the challenges we face in making business decisions.

The way that people consume news has changed dramatically. More and more people are getting their news online, and print newspapers are struggling to stay afloat. The Dayton Weekly News is no exception, and in the same fighting spirit of my father, my team and I continue to try to build a valuable product that meets the needs of our readers.

In the coming weeks, we will be making some changes to our publication schedule. In order to continue providing our readers with the quality news and information you deserve, we have made the difficult decision to transition our weekly publication to a digital-only format. All of our weekly content will be available for online reading and at DaytonWeeklyOnline.com. An additional option to receive the digital edition in your email inbox every Friday will be available for subscribers.

We are also excited to announce that we will be launching a new monthly special edition that will be available in print. This edition will feature the best of the Dayton Weekly News, including in-depth reporting, exclusive interviews, and insightful commentary. Current print subscribers will automatically be transitioned to this plan, which will include the weekly digital edition and online access.

We are excited about the possibilities that a digital-only format offers. We will be able to produce more content, cover more stories, and reach a wider audience. It is our intent not just to deliver news, but also have role in building a vibrant and thriving African American community of which we have and will continue to be a part of. We believe that a digital-only format will allow us to do that more effectively. We will be able to interact with our readers in new ways, and we will be able to provide more opportunities for local creators, businesses, and organizations to contribute.

We are attempting to meet the needs of readers who still appreciate the printed paper while simultaneously providing all readers with the news in a format that is both convenient and affordable. We know that these changes may be disappointing to our readers who still prefer to receive their news in print. However, we believe that this is the best way to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Dayton Weekly News. We apologize for any inconvenience it may cause and hope that you will continue to support us.

This November, we will celebrate our 30th anniversary. We could not have reached this milestone without you. We are grateful for your continued support of the Dayton Weekly News.

Despite our challenges, we are committed to continuing our mission of providing quality news and information to our community. We are confident that we can overcome these challenges and continue to be a vital part of the Dayton community for many years to come.