The Society of Professional Journalists – Detroit Chapter will posthumously honor Mr. Sam Logan, the late publisher of the Michigan Chronicle, at its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award during its May 14, 2025, annual banquet.
For those who knew Mr. Logan personally—or those who knew him through the pages of the Chronicle—this honor is a powerful recognition of a life dedicated to journalism, justice, and the enduring power of the Black press.
Mr. Logan was more than a publisher. He was a truth-teller, a community advocate, a businessman, and a mentor. He believed that journalism was a calling, not just a career. He understood the weight and responsibility that came with telling the stories of Black Detroit with dignity, accuracy, and purpose.
Under Mr. Logan’s leadership, the Michigan Chronicle became more than a newspaper. It was a vital thread in the social and political fabric of Detroit, a lifeline for the city’s Black community, a defender of civil rights, and a platform for advocacy and empowerment.
Logan’s relationship with the Chronicle began in the 1960s, during a pivotal moment in American history. The civil rights movement was gaining momentum, and Black communities across the country were demanding recognition and justice. Mr. Logan, drawn to the power of media as a tool for change, joined the Michigan Chronicle with a deep understanding of how important it was for Black stories to be told by Black voices.
He started in advertising and business operations but quickly rose through the ranks thanks to his keen insight, strong leadership, and unshakeable commitment to the Chronicle’s mission. Over time, he became publisher, taking the helm of one of the most influential Black newspapers in the country. Yet, Mr. Logan never let the title define him. What mattered most to him wasn’t his role—it was his responsibility. He knew the Chronicle was more than just a publication. It was a mirror held up to the city, reflecting the challenges, triumphs, and truth of Black Detroit.
Founded in 1936 during the depths of the Great Depression, the Michigan Chronicle emerged at a time when Black perspectives were largely excluded from mainstream media. The paper gave voice to a growing and dynamic Black population in Detroit—chronicling everything from economic struggles and segregation to social movements and cultural milestones.
By the time Mr. Logan joined the team, the Chronicle had already established itself as a critical voice in the city. But under his guidance, it evolved to meet the moment. Whether the topic was education reform, voting rights, police accountability, or business development in underserved communities, Mr. Logan made sure the Chronicle was there, reporting with clarity and courage.
He didn’t shy away from hard conversations. He insisted that the Chronicle reflect the real Detroit—not just its celebrations, but its struggles. Through thoughtful editorials, investigative features, and relentless community reporting, Mr. Logan helped shape the way Detroit’s Black residents understood their power, their challenges, and their potential.
Mr. Logan’s work extended beyond the newsroom. He was deeply involved in civic life, offering his time and wisdom to community leaders, elected officials, business owners, and young people looking to make a difference.
The late Rev. JoAnn Watson, a longtime friend and colleague, once called him “a drum major for truth in Detroit—steady, fair, but never afraid.” He wasn’t loud, but his presence was always felt. He spoke softly but carried a sharp sense of purpose.
Business and civic leader Frank Venegas described Mr. Logan as “a rock in our neighborhood. If you wanted to understand the heartbeat of Black Detroit, you read the Chronicle—and Mr. Logan made sure it kept beating.”
Mr. Logan was also a mentor to generations of young journalists and media professionals. He believed in investing in the next generation, giving people opportunities even when their résumés weren’t perfect—because he understood potential, and he understood people.
While Mr. Logan’s professional life was remarkable, those closest to him knew another side—the father, the friend, the steady hand. He loved his family deeply and carried that same sense of loyalty and commitment into every aspect of his work.
Mr. Logan passed away in 2011, but his legacy remains deeply woven into the spirit of the Michigan Chronicle. It lives on in every byline that tells the truth, in every editorial that demands justice, and in every reader who turns to the paper for guidance and clarity.
As his daughters accept this Lifetime Achievement Award on his behalf, they carry forward not just his name, but the mission he held so dearly: to uplift Black voices, to inform and empower, and to never lose sight of the truth.
Today at the Michigan Chronicle, we continue to walk the path Mr. Logan helped pave. We remain committed to fearless reporting, to elevating the stories that matter, and to serving the people of Detroit with the same passion and integrity that Mr. Logan brought to the newsroom every day.