WASHINGTON, DC — Rod Doss, editor and publisher of the New Pittsburgh Courier will receive the NNPA Lifetime Achievement Award at JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort and Spa hotel during the NNPA Mid-Winter Conference January 24-27, 2018.
Rod Doss has helped improve and elevate the status of the “Pittsburgh Courier,” one of the nation’s premier Black newspapers, throughout his tenure. A Pittsburgh native, he’s a graduate of the Pittsburgh Technical Institute and also attended the University of Pittsburgh. His long career with the paper dates back to his days as a sales rep in the late ‘60s.
After working for the Courier over three decades, Doss was promoted to publisher/editor following the death of his mentor, the paper’s legendary owner John H. Sengstacke. Sengstacke also was the founder of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, and is as important a figure in American publishing history as any of the better known white industry figures like Hearst or Pulitzer.
Despite having only 12 fulltime employees, under Rod Doss’ leadership the “Pittsburgh Courier” has constantly presented hard-hitting news stories, yet always depicted the Black community’s positive aspects and achievements. Doss’ many honors include the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania Service to Journalism Award, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s Man of the Year Award and the Duquesne Light African American Leadership Award. He’s also been honored by the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners and Pittsburgh City council.
Most noteworthy among past initiatives and projects was a trip to Washington D.C. by Doss and the Pittsburgh Courier Archives Committee . This was to petition U.S. Representatives John Lewis, Mike Doyle and Jason Altmire for funding on a project to restore and digitize more than 750,000 images spanning a century of the Courier’s photographic legacy. Their efforts resulted in the presentation of a $150,000 check towards that goal, just another among several numerous impressive things that have occurred during Rod Doss’ time at the Pittsburgh Courier.