News Release

Black Talent Making Headway in Print and Web Syndication

KANSAS CITY, Mo.  (02/04/2004)  Black artists and writers have found more of a receptive home in the nation's comics pages and opinion pages as newspapers continue to reach for a more diverse audience base. “We have a long way to go to accurately represent this country’s rich diversity on the pages of America’s newspapers,” says Lee Salem, editor of Universal Press Syndicate, the world's largest independent newspaper syndicate.

Universal’s African-American creators include Aaron McGruder, cartoonist for “The Boondocks;” Timothy Parker, the world’s most syndicated puzzle compiler and crossword editor for USA Today; Cynthia Tucker, editorial page editor of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution who writes the politically moderate column “As I See It;” and Barbara Brandon-Croft, cartoonist for “Where I’m Coming From.” Gerald Boyd, former managing editor of The New York Times, will write a weekly media analysis column for U.S. newspaper readers that will be introduced in newspapers in March 2004.

“If I hadn't seen -- with my own eyes -- that a comic strip about black people, penned by black hands could be done, I don't think I would have ever pursued it,” said Brandon-Croft, who is the daughter of Brumsic Brandon Jr., creator of the comic strip “Luther.”

Brandon-Croft is the creator of the weekly cartoon strip “Where I’m Coming From,” in which nine black women speak their minds freely, clearly and directly. Her feature is the country's first --and still only-- internationally syndicated cartoon feature created by an African-American woman. Her characters’ conversations range from motherhood to adult acne, from race relations to coupons and politics.

Boyd, currently the director of case studies at Columbia University, will act as a kind of national ombudsman in his column by bringing readers on the inside of journalism’s most heated controversies and covered topics. Boyd was the first African-American to head The Times. Under his direction, the Times garnered six Pulitzer Prizes for its groundbreaking coverage of September 11, 2001.

Cartoonist McGruder brought a politically charged voice to the funny pages when the country’s only hip-hop cartoon feature, The Boondocks, debuted in more than 175 newspapers more than three years ago. Now in 250 papers, Boondocks continues to reflect the complexity of racial issues in America. Print success has led to his feature’s conversion to television and film in a deal currently in development with Sony Pictures.

Parker, named the most syndicated puzzle compiler by Guinness World Records, continues to create challenging puzzles for the Web, for books, and even for television. "By focusing on the fact that I was an American, as well as an African-American, I was able to maximize opportunities that should be available to every single person in this land of opportunity," Parker emphasizes. His journey from strong family values, to working as an assistant pastor at his church, to the corporate world to becoming a wealthy puzzle entrepreneur in America is his and his alone. Parker was named the new crossword editor of USA Today in May 2003. Parents and kids are encouraged to play together in his newest feature “Family Time Crossword Puzzle.”

Tucker makes editorial page decisions on The Journal-Constitution’s coverage of topics such as foreign policy and local school board elections. In her column “As I See It,” syndicated in dozens of newspapers across the country, Tucker deftly brings the facts and her views together and writes gracefully on the most important topics of our day, such as the high rates of black incarceration in this country; America’s involvement in Iraq—but lack of involvement in The Congo, in Africa; and Attorney John Ashcroft’s performance in office. She is a commentator on shows such as News Hour with Jim Lehrer and CNN and Company.

The work of most creators for Universal Press Syndicate can be viewed at www.ucomics.com. Universal Press Syndicate has more plans for announcing another creator of color later in the year.

Universal Press Syndicate, Andrews McMeel Publishing, and uclick are companies of Andrews McMeel Universal, based in Kansas City, Mo. Consumer Web sites include www.ucomics.com, www.uPuzzles.com and mycomicspage.com.

Creator(s):

Contact(s): Lillian Kuras, 816/360-6933

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