NNPA extends condolences to the family and friends of Al Thomas, distinguished publisher of the South Jersey Journal and Bridgeton Journal. The story was published by the Front Runner New Jersey.com. Publisher Al Thomas passed on Friday, March 7, 2025.
Al Thomas was a veteran advertising executive with the Philadelphia Tribune for many years before starting his own newspaper. Al also assisted the national office in securing sponsorships with Compassion and Choices, Comcast, and American Cancer Society.
Al spent his career building on his efforts to keep the Black Press relevant until his health challenges got in the way. He had many friends in the media industry in New Jersey with whom he privately shared his health challenges. NNPA member publisher Penda Howell and Al were close friends. Mr. Howell referred to Al as a “dedicated Black Press member publisher and community leader.” He was a member of the coalition in Philadelphia that helped to get the U.S. Postal Service to establish a Forever Stamp for Wilt Chamberlain, with the Philadelphia Tribune leading the charge. Another friend, Cassandra Etienne, Associate Director, Center for Cooperative Media, worked with Al “specifically through initiatives supporting the local news ecosystem in South Jersey and the growing Black Press across the state.”
Al is another loss for the Black Press of America who we wish to rest in peace and power forever more.
[Photo: uptownstandard]
