May 28, 2024

The Charlotte Post, “the voice of the Black community since 1906,” had a succession of family owners before Gerald and Bob Johnson’s father Bill bought the paper in 1974. None of the previous owners kept the paper in their families. Bill had a plan to do so – hilariously recounted by Gerald Johnson early in Tuesday’s Forum. But Gerald Johnson decided he’d prefer something requiring a bit more preparation. So years of effort and family discussion have led to a living trust, and an eye on grandchild Andre, who has joined the company as chief operating officer.

While succession planning was core to the presentation and Q&A, discussion included the institution’s role as keeper of the historical experience of African-Americans in Charlotte; reshaping the tools of the trade as print advertising withered as an income source, as convening meetings and trainings took off, and as Internet presence became a way to reach a broader audience.

Young people with a vision of a business idea might listen to the entire video below for pointers on making their dreams come true.

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Robert L. ‘Bob’ Johnson, 1940-2024

During the Forum, Gerald Johnson asked for prayers for his brother Robert, who had been scheduled to attend the Forum but was in the hospital. On June 5, the Post announced that Robert Johnson had died June 5, 2024. He was 84.

The Post’s news story is here, with a dowloadable PDF here. Other reports of Robert Johnson’s death were at QCityMetro and the Charlotte Observer.

– Photo courtesy Ché Abdullah