'Tony Brown's Journal' Host Dies at 93

[Mark Jeffries]

Mr. Brown began his career at Detroit pubcaster WTVS producing a program called (in 1968!) "Colored People's Time"--by 1971, he had moved to NY and taken over the PBS public afairs series "Black Journal," which he continued to host for 37 years (the show eventually was renamed to include his name and eventually moved to commercial syndication), where he became known for his direct interview style and unwavering support for Black participation in all walks of society (including a protest with his home station WNET over airing a Swedish documentary portraying Harlem as a hellole)--over the years, he did move politically to the right, claiming the Democrats were more interested in handouts than actually helping the community--coronary heart disease at his Newport News, VA home on June 17:

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/27/arts/television/tony-brown-dead.html?unlocked_article_code=1.tlA.YqXR.-BxwhF8u3HZR&smid=url-share