By Kia Chenelle

We never stop to think about who pioneered the way for people like Oprah, Tyra and Wendy. We never stop to ask, what black journalist reported on the black experience from the black perspective. Well, since you are asking yourself now, her name is Belva Davis and she was the Black voice at the time when the Black voice didn’t exist.

Born to a 15 year old laundress during the Great Depression, Belva Davis found herself in an Oakland projects dealing with racism and abuse and decided to change that. She soon became a young single mother determined to have a flourishing career and wouldn’t let race stop her. Her determination to break into journalism at this time was not only inspirational but needed. Her goal was to provide mainstream news stories for African Americans and women alike. This was something that was rarely seen at the time. She heard everything from “blacks aren’t smart enough to pronounce long words” to “your lips are too big enunciate properly” to “I’m just not hiring any Negresses.” Never looking back, Belva took the insults and used them to fuel a fire that slowly burned for the African American community.

Rising to become one of the most respected journalists in the country, Belva Davis made history. In her career she covered the birth of the Black Panther party, the mass suicides at Jonestown, the beginning of the AIDS epidemic and more. She also battled for racial equality alongside some greats like Malcolm X, Alex Haley, Huey Newton and Muhammad Ali. Ms. Davis went on to win eight local Emmy’s and was honored by the International Women’s Media Foundation, the National Association of Black Journalist and the Northern California chapter of The National Association of Television Arts and Sciences.

Because of people like Ms. Davis, I am compelled to write. It makes me extremely proud to be another African American woman dedicating her life to the African American voice.  Even with the advancement of the African American community, it is still my mission to make sure that we never go unheard or ignored.

Thank you Belva Davis.

Thank you Oprah Winfrey.

Thank you Tyra Banks.

Thank you Ida B. Wells.

Thank You Margaret Fuller.

Thank You Nellie Bly

Thank You Alice Dunnigan

Thank You Ethel Payne