For more than 58 years, The Atlanta Voice has ably provided a voice for the voiceless. It is the largest audited African American community newspaper in Georgia. Founded in 1966 by the late Ed Clayton and the late J. Lowell Ware, The Atlanta Voice has evolved and redefined its efforts to better connect with the community it serves.
James A. Washington was 73. Photo Provided by The Atlanta Voice
James Washington, the president and general manager of The Atlanta Voice, a longtime advocate of the Black press, and the 2019 National Association of Black Journalist Legacy Award winner passed away surrounded by family and loved ones onTuesday, April 2 2024.
He was 73.
For over four decades Washington had been involved in nearly every level of the communications field. From his time as the publisher of The Dallas Weekly, a Black-owned and operated publication, to his work as the public relations manager for the Dallas Ballet, Washington had always been a strong representation of Black excellence and intelligence.
Washington has twice served on the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce board, the Dallas Arboretum, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, and the National Newspaper Publishers Association. He is a former tri-chair of Dallas’ Commission on Race Relations and the Dallas Together Forum. He is also a former member of the Federal Reserve Bank’s Small Business and Agriculture Advisory Committee in Dallas. Jim was named “Man of the Year” in 1986 by the Dallas Metropolitan Club of Negro Business and Professional Women. Since then, he has been honored for outstanding community service by organizations such as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, The Links, Inc., United Way, Dallas Independent School District, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, Daniel “Chappie” James Learning Center, the NAACP, KKDA, and KRLD radio stations, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dallas Museum of Arts, and the State Fair of Texas.
Washington earned his bachelor’s degree in English and Instructional Media from Historically Black College and University, Southern University. He also earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Washington is survived by his wife, The Atlanta Voice publisher Janis Ware, his children, daughter Elena Bonifay (husband David Bonifay) and son Patrick Washington (wife Jessica Washington), his grandchildren James Spencer Emanuel Washington, Penelope Elena Jimenez Washington, and William Emmanuel Edward Austin Bonifay, and his nieces and nephews.
For more than 58 years, The Atlanta Voice has ably provided a voice for the voiceless. It is the largest audited African American community newspaper in Georgia. Founded in 1966 by the late Ed Clayton and the late J. Lowell Ware, The Atlanta Voice has evolved and redefined its efforts to better connect with the community it serves.
“Essentially, I think anybody should be held accountable for their actions. It doesn’t matter if you’re a world leader or just some ‘Joe Blow’ on the street. I think, especially if you’re a world leader. Yeah, I know that… there are technicalities and the argument can be made that [he may have to make a critical decision and he can’t be concerned about the legalities of it.] And I think that’s completely BS, to be honest, because at any point you need to be held accountable for your actions, especially if you are a world leader. So my short answer is yes, he should be, held accountable no matter what, no matter who you are.”
The importance of physical, mental, and emotional wellness is something that should always be highlighted in the African American community. Sekou Walton, personal trainer and founder of Body Assassin is an advocate for educating our community about the importance of health and wellness. Walton who founded his personal training business Body Assassin in 2007 says “one thing that I’ve noticed is we lack the knowledge of fitness and wellness.” There are many factors that play a role in gaining beneficial knowledge.
Walton explained that working out plays a role, but the focus must start with nutrition. The food that we eat and how it is prepared needs to be reevaluated. When it comes to the meals, we prepare Walton says, “it has to start with our elders, we have to encourage them to make better choices.” He also explained that the rate of hypertension is high in the African American community. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention African American adults are 30 percent more likely to have high blood pressure.
Some easy tips and tricks that Walton has when it comes to nutrition is understanding how the body works and what it needs to thrive and survive. He says that “in order to see change it is important to keep it simple.” Understand what you are putting into your body. Staying away from processed, fried, and high sugar foods is key. Walton explained that it is important to find grocery stores like Sprouts, Trader Joes, and Whole Foods that can meet those needs.
When it comes to being involved with fitness Walton says, “you do not have to join a gym to be active, use your local parks or places around your area to stay moving.” He also explained that it is important to be aware and check in on the stressors of your life. It is good to know that when you are active it can also help with your mental being as well. Walton has seen since being in this industry that for other cultures and demographics fitness and having a trainer is a lifestyle for them. He is hoping to see that become the same way for our culture. In the future Walton hopes to see more Black families being active together and spreading the importance of it all to others.
Walton’s goal is continuing to educate the African American community on the importance of getting your rest, eating foods that fuel your body, working on staying in a good mental space, and staying active. He believes that when we show up for ourselves, that is when we are able to be seen as the best versions of ourselves. To find out more information, or if you have any questions or inquiries about Sekou and Body Assassin check him out on Instagram @bodyassassin.
For more than 58 years, The Atlanta Voice has ably provided a voice for the voiceless. It is the largest audited African American community newspaper in Georgia. Founded in 1966 by the late Ed Clayton and the late J. Lowell Ware, The Atlanta Voice has evolved and redefined its efforts to better connect with the community it serves.
For more than 58 years, The Atlanta Voice has ably provided a voice for the voiceless. It is the largest audited African American community newspaper in Georgia. Founded in 1966 by the late Ed Clayton and the late J. Lowell Ware, The Atlanta Voice has evolved and redefined its efforts to better connect with the community it serves.
For more than 58 years, The Atlanta Voice has ably provided a voice for the voiceless. It is the largest audited African American community newspaper in Georgia. Founded in 1966 by the late Ed Clayton and the late J. Lowell Ware, The Atlanta Voice has evolved and redefined its efforts to better connect with the community it serves.
For more than 58 years, The Atlanta Voice has ably provided a voice for the voiceless. It is the largest audited African American community newspaper in Georgia. Founded in 1966 by the late Ed Clayton and the late J. Lowell Ware, The Atlanta Voice has evolved and redefined its efforts to better connect with the community it serves.
For more than 58 years, The Atlanta Voice has ably provided a voice for the voiceless. It is the largest audited African American community newspaper in Georgia. Founded in 1966 by the late Ed Clayton and the late J. Lowell Ware, The Atlanta Voice has evolved and redefined its efforts to better connect with the community it serves.
