CNN
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Lorenzo “Lo” Jelks, Atlanta’s first black television reporter, has died at age 83, according to the Atlanta Press Club and CNN affiliate. WSB.
After graduating from Clark College (now known as Clark Atlanta University), Jelks was hired in 1967 by WSB-TV, where he worked for nearly a decade, according to the Atlanta Press Club.
“Once upon a time (WSB) took the opportunity to go with a green guy like me with someone who had never been to a TV station, I think maybe that helped with other stations,” Jelks said. Atlanta Journal-Constitution in an interview last year.
According to the Atlanta Press Club, after leaving WSB-TV, he created an AM radio station covering historic black colleges and universities and helped run a newspaper serving the local HBCU group.
“He really shed light on the importance of education, and I think his reporting has done a lot to change the landscape of race relations in Atlanta and certainly in Georgia,” said Jocelyn Dorsey, former director of editorial and public affairs at WSB. video for Jelks posted by the Atlanta Press Club.
In 2022 Jelks was inducted Atlanta Press Club Hall of Fame.
“The Atlanta Press Club is deeply saddened by the passing of Lorenzo “Lo” Jelks,” the organization said in a statement. statement after his death. “His legacy will live on through Lorenzo “Lo” Jelks’ 2023 Communications and Marketing Internship sponsored by the Georgia Power Foundation.”
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp also paid tribute to Jelks on Saturday.
“As a man in our state’s history, he paved the way for other African Americans in the media at a defining moment,” Kemp said. said in a statement posted on Twitter.
“As we pray for his loved ones, we also remember his valuable contribution,” the governor added.
CNN contacted Jelks’ family on Saturday but received no response.