Serving Metropolitan Detroit Since 1944
Serving Metropolitan Detroit Since 1944
The Telegram Newspaper is a multicultural community newspaper that is distributed weekly in Metropolitan Detroit and the Downriver communities in Wayne County. The goal of the Telegram is to connect citizens within the region by publishing information that Educate, Enlighten, Uplift and Empower its readers and deliver consumers to our advertisers’ products and services. The Telegram continues to be unique in its approach to be a newspaper that the entire community turns to for local, state and national information.
The Telegram Newspaper has been African American owned since 1944 when it was established.
The Role of the Telegram
* Gives its readers an opportunity to have a voice. It allows voices, large and small to be heard on issues important to the community.
* Assists local businesses in expanding and succeeding in the communities in which they serve. Its multi-media advertising platform includes print, online, email blasts, free standing inserts and social media.
* Provides information on Health, Beauty, Finances, Sports, Entertainment, Current Events, Automotive, Education, Senior News, Civil Rights and Religion that empowers the readers into action.
The staff at the Telegram is committed to providing excellent customer service for reporting the news and determining personalized advertising campaigns for the businesses in the area to help them reach their goals.
Community Service
The leadership of the Telegram Newspaper develops partnerships with local schools, businesses, non-profit organizations and city governments. They also participate in volunteer opportunities and provide media sponsorships for community events. Some of their national and state business partners include: AARP, DTE, Wal-Mart, GM, Comfort Inn, US Steel, Ford, Marathon, MI Lottery, MET, MDOT, Wayne County Treasurers' Office, Detroit Institute of Arts and Comcast. The Telegram is a member in several Chamber of Commerce organizations, the National Newspaper Publishers Association, the Michigan Publishers Auxiliary and a Life Member of the NAACP.
The Telegram is helping to prepare the next generation of media personnel by establishing Internship programs with local colleges & high schools. They expose youth to newspapers through the Newspapers in Education Program and Write Steps Internship Program. Colleges include Wayne State University, Baker College, University of Michigan—Dearborn and Bethune Cookeman University. School Districts and schools include Westwood, Ecorse, River Rouge, University Preparatory and Romulus.
History of the Telegram
The Telegram Newspaper was founded in 1944 and has been in continuous publication since that time. The late J. C. Wall, who passed away in July 1997, published it for over 50 years. Following J. C. Wall’s death, the Telegram continued to live on through the efforts of Mr. Ben Wade until May 2006.
In June 2006, the Telegram’s reins was passed to Gina C. Wilson and it has experienced exponential growth since that time. The Telegram’s distribution area has increased from three cities to now being distributed through-out the Metropolitan Detroit area with a focus on the Downriver Communities of Wayne County.
The new look, content and diversified coverage of the news and events has helped to make the Telegram Newspaper the newspaper of choice for many in the Wayne County community. The Telegram Newspaper continues to experience a sense of growth as it gains new readers each week. It’s website, www.telegramnews.net, and social media is where loyal readers across the country can opt to read the Telegram online and visit the advertisers’ websites. Readers can follow the Telegram News on Facebook and Twitter @telegramnews and on Instagram @telegramnewspaper. Readers and businesses can also receive a newspaper in the mail with a subscription. In 2010, home delivery was instituted which has increased readership and brought back the ‘Paper Boy’.
The Telegram staff participates as Career Day Speakers, purchase school supplies and equipment, volunteer with various organizations and groups, host Food /Water Drives and make numerous donations to local groups. The Telegram also provides volunteer, community service and work experience opportunities for youth and community residents.
The Telegram Newspaper has received several awards & recognitions. Some include: The Community Award from The Men’s Club of River Rouge, the Image Award for the City of Inkster, the Media Award from Wayne County ARC and certificate of recognition from Downriver Delta CDC, NAACP, Wayne Metro Walk for Warmth, 100 Black Funeral Directors, Feed Da Streetz and many other awards from community groups.
Gina Steward was named Publisher of the Year for 2014 from Michigan Publishers Auxiliary and Mentor of the Year from University Of Michigan Dearborn in 2015. The Telegram was Nationally recognized by NNPA in 2015 and received the Community Leadership Award in 2016 from the River Rouge Community Network Program and the Media Award from the Charles Wright Museum in 2016, the 2021 Community Health Champion by Western Wayne Family Health Center, Woman of the Year in 2022 by the Inkster Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta and the Kyle Stack Leadership Award from the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2022.
The Telegram is the official newspaper for the cities of Ecorse and River Rouge and adjudicated for the cities of Inkster and Wayne. They are also the newspaper of record for the Wayne Westland School District, Ecorse School District, River Rouge School District and Inkster Preparatory Academy.
Gina Steward serves as a Board Member of the Michigan Press Association.