Elinor Tatum
Encyclopedia
Elinor Ruth Tatum is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of the New York Amsterdam News, the oldest and largest black newspaper in the City of New York, and one of the oldest ethnic papers in the Country.
Ms. Tatum was appointed to her position by her father Wilbert Tatum
in 1997, and became one of the youngest publishers in the history of the Afro-American Press. As editor and publisher Ms. Tatum oversees a staff of twenty-five full time employees. Under her watch, the newspaper was modernized, and changes have included: a new layout for the paper, and refocusing content to emphasize more current issues facing Harlem and the wider African American community in New York and the Nation. Under her leadership, The Amsterdam News has also gone online and is seen nationally as part of the Black Press USA Network.
Elinor Tatum also produces and co-hosts a weekly segment of Al Sharpton
’s Weekly Radio Show “Keep’in It Real”-- inviting members of the Black Press to discuss national issues facing the African American community. She has guest hosted the WWRL
Radio morning and afternoon drive programs. Ms. Tatum has appeared on The O'Reilly Factor
, 20/20, New York 1
, CUNY TV
, The Today Show, and NBC Nightly News
.
Ms. Tatum born and raised in New York City. She studied Government at St. Lawrence University
in Canton, New York
where she graduated in 1993. She continued her education at Stockholm University
in Stockholm, Sweden. While abroad, she studied International relations and the Swedish model of government.
In 1994, Ms. Tatum returned to New York to join her father at the New York Amsterdam News. She accepted a position as Assistant to the Publisher, her work included reporting for the paper. While reporting, she filed stories on topics ranging from the Million Man March
, to Boxing, to a student strike at the City University of New York
.
In 1996, Ms. Tatum was promoted to Associate Publisher and Chief Operating Officer of the newspaper. That fall, she entered New York University
working toward her Master’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, while continuing to work full time at the Amsterdam News. In December 1997, she completed the course work for her Master’s Degree and was promoted to Publisher and Editor-in-Chief.
In addition to her career in journalism, Ms. Tatum is also an active member of the greater New York community. She is currently, a member of the Board of Trustees of her college alma mater, St. Lawrence University. In addition she sits on the Board of the New York Urban League, The Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem,The Creative Vision Foundation , The Chinatown YMCA, and until recently served on the Board of Inner City Broadcasting, The South Street Seaport Museum and The New York Press Association . She is also the former Secretary of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. She also sits on Community Board 3 in Manhattan.
Ms. Tatum has been received numerous honors for her work including: inclusion in Who’s Who of American Women (the Millennium Edition and subsequent editions), a Doctor Of Humane Letters Honorus Causae from Metropolitan College (New York City), Manhattan Borough Presidents’ Women’s History Month Award, Public Advocates Award, Women Who Make A Difference, Outstanding Business Empowerment from the New York Chapter of Black Business and Professional Women, Award, Standing On their Shoulders Award from the National Action Network, and the Good Scout Award.
Ms. Tatum is married to Curtis R. Simmons. They have one daughter, Willa.
Ms. Tatum was appointed to her position by her father Wilbert Tatum
Wilbert Tatum
Wilbert "Bill" Tatum was an American newspaper executive who variously served as the editor, publisher, chairman and chief executive officer of the New York Amsterdam News, a weekly newspaper that serves the African American community of New York City.-Early years:Wilbert Arnold Tatum was born in...
in 1997, and became one of the youngest publishers in the history of the Afro-American Press. As editor and publisher Ms. Tatum oversees a staff of twenty-five full time employees. Under her watch, the newspaper was modernized, and changes have included: a new layout for the paper, and refocusing content to emphasize more current issues facing Harlem and the wider African American community in New York and the Nation. Under her leadership, The Amsterdam News has also gone online and is seen nationally as part of the Black Press USA Network.
Elinor Tatum also produces and co-hosts a weekly segment of Al Sharpton
Al Sharpton
Alfred Charles "Al" Sharpton, Jr. is an American Baptist minister, civil rights activist, and television/radio talk show host. In 2004, he was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. presidential election...
’s Weekly Radio Show “Keep’in It Real”-- inviting members of the Black Press to discuss national issues facing the African American community. She has guest hosted the WWRL
WWRL
WWRL is a radio station in New York City, broadcasting at 1600 kHz AM owned by Access.1 Communications. Since September 1, 2006, its format has been progressive talk radio...
Radio morning and afternoon drive programs. Ms. Tatum has appeared on The O'Reilly Factor
The O'Reilly Factor
The O'Reilly Factor, originally titled The O'Reilly Report from 1996 to 1998 and often called The Factor, is an American talk show on the Fox News Channel hosted by commentator Bill O'Reilly, who often discusses current controversial political issues with guests.The program was the most watched...
, 20/20, New York 1
NY1
NY1, New York One, is a 24-hour cable-news television channel focusing on the five boroughs of New York City. In addition to news and weather forecasts, the channel also features human-interest segments such as the "New Yorker of the Week" and the "Scholar Athlete of the Week", and specialty...
, CUNY TV
CUNY TV
CUNY TV is a non-commercial Educational-access television cable station in New York City, part of The City University of New York's university system. It provides tele-course programming varying from mathematics, physics and biology to history, art and social studies. It also provides cultural...
, The Today Show, and NBC Nightly News
NBC Nightly News
NBC Nightly News is the flagship daily evening television news program for NBC News and broadcasts. NBC Nightly News has aired from Studio 3B, located on floors 3 of the NBC Studios is the headquarters of the GE Building forms the centerpiece of 30th Rockefeller Center it is located in the center...
.
Ms. Tatum born and raised in New York City. She studied Government at St. Lawrence University
St. Lawrence University
St. Lawrence University is a four-year liberal arts college located in the village of Canton in Saint Lawrence County, New York, United States. It has roughly 2300 undergraduate and 100 graduate students, about equally split between male and female....
in Canton, New York
Canton (village), New York
Canton is a village in St. Lawrence County, New York, United States. The village is centrally located in both the town of Canton and the county of St. Lawrence. The population was 5,882 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of St. Lawrence County...
where she graduated in 1993. She continued her education at Stockholm University
Stockholm University
Stockholm University is a state university in Stockholm, Sweden. It has over 28,000 students at four faculties, making it one of the largest universities in Scandinavia. The institution is also frequently regarded as one of the top 100 universities in the world...
in Stockholm, Sweden. While abroad, she studied International relations and the Swedish model of government.
In 1994, Ms. Tatum returned to New York to join her father at the New York Amsterdam News. She accepted a position as Assistant to the Publisher, her work included reporting for the paper. While reporting, she filed stories on topics ranging from the Million Man March
Million Man March
The Million Man March was a gathering of social activists, en masse, held on and around the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on October 16, 1995...
, to Boxing, to a student strike at the City University of New York
City University of New York
The City University of New York is the public university system of New York City, with its administrative offices in Yorkville in Manhattan. It is the largest urban university in the United States, consisting of 23 institutions: 11 senior colleges, six community colleges, the William E...
.
In 1996, Ms. Tatum was promoted to Associate Publisher and Chief Operating Officer of the newspaper. That fall, she entered New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
working toward her Master’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, while continuing to work full time at the Amsterdam News. In December 1997, she completed the course work for her Master’s Degree and was promoted to Publisher and Editor-in-Chief.
In addition to her career in journalism, Ms. Tatum is also an active member of the greater New York community. She is currently, a member of the Board of Trustees of her college alma mater, St. Lawrence University. In addition she sits on the Board of the New York Urban League, The Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem,The Creative Vision Foundation , The Chinatown YMCA, and until recently served on the Board of Inner City Broadcasting, The South Street Seaport Museum and The New York Press Association . She is also the former Secretary of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. She also sits on Community Board 3 in Manhattan.
Ms. Tatum has been received numerous honors for her work including: inclusion in Who’s Who of American Women (the Millennium Edition and subsequent editions), a Doctor Of Humane Letters Honorus Causae from Metropolitan College (New York City), Manhattan Borough Presidents’ Women’s History Month Award, Public Advocates Award, Women Who Make A Difference, Outstanding Business Empowerment from the New York Chapter of Black Business and Professional Women, Award, Standing On their Shoulders Award from the National Action Network, and the Good Scout Award.
Ms. Tatum is married to Curtis R. Simmons. They have one daughter, Willa.