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Published in The Crusader on Feb. 7, 2026
Special to the Black Press
The National Newspaper Publishers Association, founded in 1940 to represent and protect Black-owned newspapers, is facing an internal crisis as the Black Press approaches its 200th anniversary in 2027. Veteran publishers say the turmoil comes at a moment when Black institutions nationwide are under renewed pressure, making the association's instability especially consequential.
The Black Press itself, born with the launch of Freedom's Journal in 1827, has survived slavery, Jim Crow, segregation, and decades of economic exclusion. Publishers now warn that while external forces continue to threaten Black institutions, the most immediate danger to the NNPA is coming from inside.
In an urgent letter to publishers detailing the organization's fiscal distress, NNPA Board Chairman Dr. John Warren, publisher of the San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, acknowledged major cash flow problems, staff furloughs, and the absence of a national salesperson. Warren wrote that a special finance subcommittee had been formed because of the association's financial condition and confirmed that staff were furloughed as of December 15, 2025, due to delayed receivables.
Warren's letter prompted a response from Dorothy R. Leavell, publisher of the Chicago Crusader and Gary Crusader since 1968 and a former NNPA chair. In her reply, Leavell argued that the crisis facing the association "is not from market forces alone, but from failed internal leadership," a statement she directed at NNPA President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Benjamin Chavis.
Leavell cited what she described as well-publicized details of Chavis's past leadership controversies, including his 1994 dismissal as executive director of the NAACP. At the time, the NAACP board reported that the organization went from financial stability to a deficit approaching $3 million within months of Chavis's hiring, a fact documented in contemporaneous reporting.
According to Leavell and other publishers who spoke during recent board discussions, the same pattern has emerged at the NNPA. Several publishers spoke openly during those calls, while others requested anonymity to avoid retaliation. They described expense reports and travel costs that increased sharply under Chavis's leadership, including one year in which expenses reportedly reached about $280,000, exceeding his salary by roughly $80,000.
Publishers have also pointed to major initiatives that failed to deliver promised results. They cited an education project funded through the Gates Foundation and other partnerships intended to support Black-owned newspapers that did not produce required deliverables, leaving smaller papers without anticipated resources.
Warren's letter confirmed that the board has assumed responsibilities typically handled by the president and chief executive officer. He announced the creation of a Transition Committee and additional board-led efforts to stabilize finances, recruit members, and pursue revenue. Critics questioned why board members are volunteering to perform executive functions while Chavis continues to receive his full salary and benefits, which exceed $250,000 annually.
Warren, who became chairman in June 2025, has expressed his displeasure with Chavis on numerous occasions, including telling a reporter that he wouldn't fire the president because that would "be letting him off the hook too easily."
Publishers further raised concerns about declining NNPA membership, the sale of foundation-owned property in a rebounding area, and governance decisions they say weakened the organization's position. They argued these issues amount to a pattern rather than isolated missteps.
Another flashpoint was a recent proposal to drop "Newspaper" from the NNPA's name. Supporters frame the idea as modernization. Leavell rejected that argument, writing that "Newspaper" is not a weakness but a strength, and warning that removing it could undermine access to public notice advertising revenue still reserved for print publications in many states.
The conflict comes during the most challenging of times for the media industry. Advertising revenue at traditional Black-owned newspapers has declined nationwide, yet publishers note that the Black Press remains positioned to benefit from renewed focus on hyperlocal news and increased foundation funding aimed at countering the Trump agenda. Critics say the NNPA failed to secure those larger opportunities, instead pursuing lower-cost digital advertising arrangements that benefited only select publications.
Litigation has also shaped the dispute. In a publicly available lawsuit filed by Leavell, Ward, and Geary, plaintiffs alleged financial mismanagement, retaliation, and improper conduct by Chavis, including an alleged personal relationship with an NNPA employee. The case was dismissed on procedural grounds rather than factual findings.
During that period, bylaw changes were proposed and passed that would bar the litigants from ever holding office and sought to expel them from the association. The membership voted and rejected that proposal.
At a board meeting, Leavell reminded NNPA leaders of her role in supporting the Black Press and civil rights efforts, including leadership and financial support tied to the eventual pardons of the Wilmington 10. She summarized her experience with the pointed observation that "no good deed goes unpunished."
Leavell has criticized Chavis for seeking up to two additional years of compensation while staff remain furloughed and unpaid, calling the request inconsistent with Black Press tradition.
Publishers say Chavis is now using NNPA-funded legal counsel to threaten and silence the organization's senior national correspondent after that journalist criticized his leadership. Critics point to the contradiction. Chavis has publicly condemned President Trump for attacking journalists and free speech, including during controversies involving Don Lemon. But publishers now realize that he is accused of similar conduct inside the Black Press and against the organization's top performer, who has not only written timely news articles for the NNPA but has also helped raise more than $900,000 for the organization and some of its members since 2020.
One publisher described the moment as a breaking point. An institution that survived slavery, Jim Crow, and segregation is now struggling because of internal conduct, the publisher said.
Publishers say the crisis puts internal leadership failures on display. As Chavis secretly held meetings with Target from May of 2025 to December of 2025 while sitting in on boycott meetings with the Rev. Jamal Bryant and others, publishers were mostly kept in the dark.
Leavell closed her letter with a warning that continues to reverberate through Black media circles. "The Black Press is alive. The NNPA is dying," she wrote. "We must act now to save the association before there is nothing left to rename."
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 7, 2026 Media Contact Information: Aunt Millie's Bakeries Melissa Koeneman, director of marketing (260) 417-2581 mkoeneman@auntmillies.com
John F. Popp, President of Aunt Millie’s Bakeries
FORT WAYNE, Indiana — Aunt Millie’s Bakeries is deeply saddened to announce the passing of its President John F. Popp, who died on Friday, July 31, at the age of 94. A third-generation member of the family business, John’s leadership, optimism, faith, and unwavering commitment to people helped shape the company and its culture for more than four decades. John Franke Popp was born March 2, 1932, to Lucile and Les Sr. Popp. He grew up with his older brother, Les Jr., on Forest Park Boulevard in Fort Wayne and graduated from Northside High School in 1950. He went on to attend the University of Michigan, graduating in 1954, and entered the U.S. Army that same year. He served as a second lieutenant before returning home following his military service. John was offered an opportunity to begin a career as an analyst with T. Rowe Price, but his path ultimately led him back to Fort Wayne and the family bakery. At his mother’s urging, he returned home to join the business — a decision that would shape not only his own life, but the future of generations of the Popp family and Aunt Millie’s employees. Long before his career in baking, John developed a love for Lake Wawasee and water skiing, eventually becoming the Indiana state slalom water ski champion. It was at the lake that he met Esther Rolene, the love of his life. They married on June 19, 1960, and spent the next decades building a life together, raising two sons and creating countless memories with family and friends. Even with the demands of running a growing company, John made time for what mattered most, including cheering his sons on from the sidelines at their baseball and football games.
John F. Popp and his wife, Esther Rolene Popp
In 1967, John stepped away from the family bakery to pursue a career in real estate, where he developed the subdivisions of Devil’s Hollow, Manitou, Lakewood, West Hamilton Estates, White Loon, and Winding Brook. In 1980, he returned to Perfection Bakeries, where he helped guide the company through a period of significant growth and expansion. The company that would become known as Aunt Millie’s grew under his leadership into one of the largest family-owned baking companies in the United States. John viewed the people around him as an important part of that success. He loved being part of the team and was known for his optimism, encouragement, and genuine care for employees. His leadership was not simply about growing a business; it was about building an organization where people could grow, contribute, and feel that they were part of something bigger than themselves. A third-generation leader of the family-owned bakery founded in 1901, John was deeply committed to protecting and building upon the legacy established by his grandfather, John B. Franke. His influence also reached beyond Aunt Millie’s. He was a passionate advocate for independent bakeries across the country, working with industry organizations to strengthen and protect family-owned businesses. He believed in the importance of education and workforce development and encouraged lifelong learning within the company while supporting the next generation of leaders in the baking industry. In recognition of his contributions to the baking industry, John was inducted into the Baking Hall of Fame by the American Society of Bakers and Engineers in 2021. He also served the state of Indiana after being appointed by Governor Mike Pence to serve on the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. While John’s professional accomplishments were many, those closest to him knew that his faith and family were at the center of his life. He cherished Bible Study Fellowship and worshiped at The Chapel and Wawasee Lakeside Chapel. He was quietly generous and found joy in serving others through organizations including the Euell Wilson Center, Women’s Care Center, and Ratio Christi. John enjoyed spring breaks in Florida, trips to Maine, his ’61 Corvette, and working on projects at the lake. He appreciated the simple pleasures of life, but most of all, he loved his family. His greatest legacy will not be measured solely by the company he helped build, but by the family he loved, the people he encouraged, the lives he touched, and the values he carried with him throughout his life. “John Popp believed that success was built on people,” said Rick Brown, Chief Customer Officer. “He cared deeply about our employees, our customers, our communities, and the generations of families who have made Aunt Millie’s a trusted name. His leadership was defined by humility, kindness, and an unwavering commitment to doing what was right.” John’s passing leaves a tremendous loss for the Popp family, the Aunt Millie’s family, and the many people and organizations whose lives he touched. While the company mourns his loss, Aunt Millie’s leadership team remains committed to carrying forward the mission, values, and legacy John championed throughout his life. Daily operations will continue uninterrupted as the company moves forward under its established leadership plan. The Popp family extends its heartfelt appreciation for the many expressions of sympathy and support received during this difficult time. Memorial service information will be shared at a later date. About Aunt Millie’s Bakeries Founded in 1901 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Aunt Millie’s Bakeries is one of the largest family-owned bakeries in the Midwest, serving customers across six states with fresh bread, buns, rolls, bagels, and other baked goods. For more than a century, the company has remained committed to quality, innovation, and serving the communities it calls home.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 21, 2026 Media Contact Information: Michael Korman, highway commissioner North Township Road District (847) 728-7055 mike.korman@northfieldtownship.com
Northfield Township Road District’s Phase II project placed in Group 1, the top tier, of MWRD’s 2026 Stormwater Partnership Program; construction could begin as early as 2027
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