Act Daily News
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Lorenzo “Lo” Jelks, Atlanta’s first Black tv news reporter, has died at 83, in line with the Atlanta Press Club and Act Daily News affiliate WSB.
After graduating from Clark College (now often known as Clark Atlanta University), Jelks was employed in 1967 by WSB-TV, the place he stayed for practically a decade, in line with the Atlanta Press Club.
“Once (WSB) took that opportunity of going with someone green like me, someone who had never been inside a television station, I think perhaps that helped with the other stations,” Jelks informed the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an interview final 12 months.
After leaving WSB-TV, he created an AM radio station highlighting traditionally Black schools and universities, and helped run a newspaper serving a gaggle of native HBCUs, in line with the Atlanta Press Club.
“He really shined the light on the importance of education and I think in many ways changed the landscape of race relations in Atlanta and certainly in Georgia by his reporting,” Jocelyn Dorsey, former WSB director of editorials and public affairs, mentioned in a tribute video for Jelks posted by the Atlanta Press Club.
In 2022, Jelks was inducted into the Atlanta Press Club Hall of Fame.
“The Atlanta Press Club is deeply saddened by the passing of Lorenzo ‘Lo’ Jelks,” the group mentioned in a press release after his demise. “His legacy will live on with the 2023 Lorenzo ‘Lo’ Jelks Communications and Marketing Internship sponsored by the Georgia Power Foundation.”
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp additionally paid tribute to Jelks on Saturday.
“As someone who made history for our state, he paved the way for other African Americans in media during a pivotal time,” Kemp mentioned in a press release posted on Twitter.
“As we pray for his loved ones, we’re also remembering his valued contributions,” the governor added.
Act Daily News reached out to Jelks’ household Saturday however didn’t obtain a response.
Source: www.cnn.com