- Published on
Today, I received a sweet reminder of a quest that we took on, back in July of 2005 — the establishment of this area's first black weekly print News Media Publication, which we affectionately named "The People's Voice."
I was reminded by way of a heartwarming birthday greeting from my dear friend, Jeanetta Springer, who was right in there with me, front and center, when I got a groups of our friends and comrads together, and put forward the idea of a Weekly black Newspaper publication of our own design.
The project was one of the very first projects of the Wilkie Clark Memorial Foundation. And it was HUGE. We really wanted to do something HUGE, and impactful.
For months, a large group of interested friends who love our community, regularly met, put our heads together, hammered out the plans, and meticulously pooled our meager resources to put out that HUGE FIRST EDITION of The Peoples Voice.
As a tribute to our effort to establish our own black-owned print news media publication I can't fail to thank all of those, AS WELL AS ALL OF THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES who helped us by supporting our black print publication.
Amazingly, the idea took hold, and in spite of the many many obstacles, and everything working against us, we managed to roll out weekly issues of The People's Voice Weekly News, from July of 2005, until around the early part of 2009 — nearly 5 years. It was a bold undertaking. But, we were up to the task.
It was long overdue for there to exist in our communities, a publication FOR US, BY US, AND ABOUT US!! And this is what we attempted to do.
I was reminded by way of a heartwarming birthday greeting from my dear friend, Jeanetta Springer, who was right in there with me, front and center, when I got a groups of our friends and comrads together, and put forward the idea of a Weekly black Newspaper publication of our own design.
The project was one of the very first projects of the Wilkie Clark Memorial Foundation. And it was HUGE. We really wanted to do something HUGE, and impactful.
For months, a large group of interested friends who love our community, regularly met, put our heads together, hammered out the plans, and meticulously pooled our meager resources to put out that HUGE FIRST EDITION of The Peoples Voice.
As a tribute to our effort to establish our own black-owned print news media publication I can't fail to thank all of those, AS WELL AS ALL OF THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES who helped us by supporting our black print publication.
Amazingly, the idea took hold, and in spite of the many many obstacles, and everything working against us, we managed to roll out weekly issues of The People's Voice Weekly News, from July of 2005, until around the early part of 2009 — nearly 5 years. It was a bold undertaking. But, we were up to the task.
It was long overdue for there to exist in our communities, a publication FOR US, BY US, AND ABOUT US!! And this is what we attempted to do.
Pictured at right is an image similar to many others I have received from Jeanetta every July since 2005 — the month and year the inaugural issue of People's Voice Weekly News was first published here in East Alabama.
I have never forgotten what we did OR why we did it. I KNOW THAT SHE HASN'T EITHER.
It was a phenomenal undertaking for a small rural black community of people who fully understood that "Real Change" was — and is — in order... OVERDUE!!
I have never forgotten what we did OR why we did it. I KNOW THAT SHE HASN'T EITHER.
It was a phenomenal undertaking for a small rural black community of people who fully understood that "Real Change" was — and is — in order... OVERDUE!!
Interested and COURAGEOUS BLACK PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER EAST ALABAMA AND WEST GEORGIA — the eight (8) counties surrounding Randolph which we targeted as our market — diligently helped us hammer out the newspaper, get them printed, and distribute the papers every week.
WHO WAS INVOLVED?
The Wilkie Clark Memorial Foundation (Publisher)
Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson, Roanoke (Co-Publisher)
Wilkie S. Frieson, Roanoke (Co-Publisher)
Je'Lynn M. Frieson, Roanoke (Co-Publisher)
Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke
T. Jeanetta Minnifield Springer, Roanoke (Assoc. Editor)
Carolyn J. Davis, Roanoke, Administrative Assistant
David B. Baker, Anniston (Board Mbr)
WHO WAS INVOLVED?
The Wilkie Clark Memorial Foundation (Publisher)
Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson, Roanoke (Co-Publisher)
Wilkie S. Frieson, Roanoke (Co-Publisher)
Je'Lynn M. Frieson, Roanoke (Co-Publisher)
Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke
T. Jeanetta Minnifield Springer, Roanoke (Assoc. Editor)
Carolyn J. Davis, Roanoke, Administrative Assistant
David B. Baker, Anniston (Board Mbr)
(John Ceroy Bell, Roanoke (Board Mbr)
Esther Brown, Fredonia (contributor)
(Project Hope To Abolish The Death Penalty)
Beotis Clark, Augusta, GA (Board Mbr)
Belle Bennie Saxon Clark, Agusta, GA
Reverend Willilam A. Dean, Roanoke
Christopher Daniel, Roanoke (Board Mbr)
Barbara Evans (Esther's Trumpet)
Lucius Gantt, Florida (The Gantt Report
Jerome A. Gray, Evergreen (Board Mbr)
Darrel Grayson, dec. (Death Row Correspondent)
Bruce W. Griggs, LaGrange (Advertiser)
Reverend R.L. Heflin (Board Mbr)
Elicia Jaxon, Mobile (Contributor)
Esther Brown, Fredonia (contributor)
(Project Hope To Abolish The Death Penalty)
Beotis Clark, Augusta, GA (Board Mbr)
Belle Bennie Saxon Clark, Agusta, GA
Reverend Willilam A. Dean, Roanoke
Christopher Daniel, Roanoke (Board Mbr)
Barbara Evans (Esther's Trumpet)
Lucius Gantt, Florida (The Gantt Report
Jerome A. Gray, Evergreen (Board Mbr)
Darrel Grayson, dec. (Death Row Correspondent)
Bruce W. Griggs, LaGrange (Advertiser)
Reverend R.L. Heflin (Board Mbr)
Elicia Jaxon, Mobile (Contributor)
Sonia Lovelace, LaGrange, Tony D. Malone, Lanett (Editor-In-Chief)
Julia Minnefield, Wedowee
Kimberley A. Minnifield, Roanoke, (Writer)Brenda Poole, Franklin, Georgia
Reverend Jeffery D. Rosser (Board Mbr)
Frances Drake, Roanoke (Board Mbr)
Gene A. Thornton, Roanoke (Board Mbr)
L.C. Thornton, Stone Mtn (Board Mbr)
Earnestine Thornton, Atlanta (Board Mbr)
Mary Turner, Five Points (Board Mbr)
Betty Woody, Five Points (Board Mbr)
Lola Mae Wright, Wedowee (Board Mbr)
Quan Wright, Roanoke (Sports Writer)
Julia Minnefield, Wedowee
Kimberley A. Minnifield, Roanoke, (Writer)Brenda Poole, Franklin, Georgia
Reverend Jeffery D. Rosser (Board Mbr)
Frances Drake, Roanoke (Board Mbr)
Gene A. Thornton, Roanoke (Board Mbr)
L.C. Thornton, Stone Mtn (Board Mbr)
Earnestine Thornton, Atlanta (Board Mbr)
Mary Turner, Five Points (Board Mbr)
Betty Woody, Five Points (Board Mbr)
Lola Mae Wright, Wedowee (Board Mbr)
Quan Wright, Roanoke (Sports Writer)
AND MANY MANY WRITERS AND CONTRIBUTORS FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES
Gratitude To Our Funeral Service Colleagues Who Supported Us By Advertiing & Helping Distribute Newspapers
As we celebrate and remember The 20th Year Anniversary since the People's Voice's debut in East Alabama, we can't forget all of our colleagues in Funeral Service, who were very faithful and supportive with their advertising dollars. Not only did they advertise, but they placed papers in their establishments which helped us tremendously with distribution. They diligently helped to support this publication and kept it alive for the years in print. We will NEVER forget this.
Ms. Je'Lynn Frieson, Roanoke
Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke
Mr. Jeffery Harris, Opelika
Harris Funeral Home, Opelika
Ms. Madelyn Lee, West Point
M.W. Lee Mortuary, West Point
Mr. Samuel Seroyer, (dec)
Silmon-Seroyer Funeral Home, LaFayette
Clark Memorial Funeral Service, Roanoke
Mr. Jeffery Harris, Opelika
Harris Funeral Home, Opelika
Ms. Madelyn Lee, West Point
M.W. Lee Mortuary, West Point
Mr. Samuel Seroyer, (dec)
Silmon-Seroyer Funeral Home, LaFayette
Mr. Clayton Gibson, Jr., (dec)
Unity Mortuary, Valley
Ms. Marilyn Vines,
Vines Funeral Home, LaFayette
Ms. Juanita Harrell,
West Georgia Mortuary, LaGrange, GA
Mr. Greg Wright,
Wright's Funeral Home, Alexander City, AL
Unity Mortuary, Valley
Ms. Marilyn Vines,
Vines Funeral Home, LaFayette
Ms. Juanita Harrell,
West Georgia Mortuary, LaGrange, GA
Mr. Greg Wright,
Wright's Funeral Home, Alexander City, AL
It is our intention to make the history of our publication, along with all the archived back issues of the publication available on the Clark Historic Site, so that our Print Newspaper Publication will NEVER be forgotten. May ALL who come after us, do bigger and better things that we did.
The First Featured Photo
In that first "inaugural issue" we were abundantly clear about why we were doing this. We were doing this to honor of our community heroes and servants... So they would not be FORGOTTEN.
NOT JUST THOSE IN RANDOLPH COUNTY, BUT THROUGHOUT EAST ALABAMA AND WEST GEORGIA!
Here's that featured photo that appeared on our front page of our First Black Weekly Publication. This would be but one of many beautiful full color photographs of black individuals who would capture our hearts, during that majestic period in publication.
I will NEVER forget the first shipment of newspapers that were delivered by Fed-X or UPS (I can't remember). But what I DO REMEMBER, is that everybody rushed over to grab the paper and take a FIRST LOOK. The broadsheet was HUGE! Way bigger than any of us imagined. But what literally took everybody's breath away was the fact that NOBODY could speak. Everybody in the room, sat in SILENCE — and read. Nobody could speak. And for a good 30 to 45 minutes the entire room was silent. That moment was cathartic, to think about what a group of determined black rebels had accomplished.
To learn more about The People's Voice, please visit this link, found on the Clark Memorial Foundation Website.
In the coming weeks and months, we plan to devote an ENTIRE SECTION OF THE CLARK HISTORIC SITE, to preservation of the history of The People's Voice, where we will again revisit the entire journey, for the benefit of those who we will leave behind.
Download and Read The First Issue Of
The People's Voice
The People's Voice
FIRST ISSUE OF THE PEOPLES VOICE WEEKLY NEWS JULY 22, 2005
- Published on
By Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson | aka "Wilkie Clark's Daughter"
Where Courage Lives: The Clark Historic Landmark Site Now on YouTube
Some stories refuse to stay buried.
At the Clark Historic Landmark Site, we’ve always believed in truth-telling — even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it’s inconvenient, and especially when it’s overlooked.
Now, we’re proud to bring that truth to a brand-new platform:
📽️ YouTube.com/@ClarkHistoricSite
We’ve officially launched our YouTube Channel to share the story of two powerful civil rights pioneers — Wilkie Clark and Hattie Lee Peters Clark — and the historic site in Roanoke, Alabama that stands as a living testament to their legacy.
A Legacy Built From Resistance and ResolveIn 1969, Wilkie and Hattie Lee built more than a funeral home — they built a stronghold for dignity, economic empowerment, and civil resistance in a deeply segregated Alabama.
Wilkie Clark was not just a business owner. He was a fighter — a man who stood toe-to-toe with racist power structures and refused to bow. Hattie Lee was more than a teacher — she was a quiet force, lifting young minds while protecting the foundation of a family determined to create change.
Their fight wasn’t waged in front of news cameras. It happened right here, in Roanoke — in boardrooms, courtrooms, church pews, and on porches where Black families learned that they could own, they could vote, and they could stand.
Why YouTube? Why Now?We launched our YouTube Channel because history deserves to be visible. Too often, stories like ours — stories of local Black excellence and resistance — are lost between dusty archives and fading memories.
But not this one.
Through this channel, we’ll be sharing:
Not just to see, but to understand.
Subscribe, Share, and Help Carry the TorchIf you believe in honoring the past while protecting the future — this is your invitation.
📍 Visit our YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/@ClarkHistoricSite
🌐 Learn more about the site: www.clarkhistoricsite.org
📸 Follow along on Facebook and Instagram: [@ClarkHistoricSite]
And most importantly:
📌 Subscribe. Share. Comment. Engage.
This is how we carry the torch forward — one story, one post, one truth at a time.
At the Clark Historic Landmark Site, we’ve always believed in truth-telling — even when it’s uncomfortable, even when it’s inconvenient, and especially when it’s overlooked.
Now, we’re proud to bring that truth to a brand-new platform:
📽️ YouTube.com/@ClarkHistoricSite
We’ve officially launched our YouTube Channel to share the story of two powerful civil rights pioneers — Wilkie Clark and Hattie Lee Peters Clark — and the historic site in Roanoke, Alabama that stands as a living testament to their legacy.
A Legacy Built From Resistance and ResolveIn 1969, Wilkie and Hattie Lee built more than a funeral home — they built a stronghold for dignity, economic empowerment, and civil resistance in a deeply segregated Alabama.
Wilkie Clark was not just a business owner. He was a fighter — a man who stood toe-to-toe with racist power structures and refused to bow. Hattie Lee was more than a teacher — she was a quiet force, lifting young minds while protecting the foundation of a family determined to create change.
Their fight wasn’t waged in front of news cameras. It happened right here, in Roanoke — in boardrooms, courtrooms, church pews, and on porches where Black families learned that they could own, they could vote, and they could stand.
Why YouTube? Why Now?We launched our YouTube Channel because history deserves to be visible. Too often, stories like ours — stories of local Black excellence and resistance — are lost between dusty archives and fading memories.
But not this one.
Through this channel, we’ll be sharing:
- Short videos on the Clark legacy
- Civil Rights history connected to East Alabama
- Family interviews and oral histories
- Behind-the-scenes of the Historic Site itself
- and soon — virtual tours and interactive educational content
Not just to see, but to understand.
Subscribe, Share, and Help Carry the TorchIf you believe in honoring the past while protecting the future — this is your invitation.
📍 Visit our YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/@ClarkHistoricSite
🌐 Learn more about the site: www.clarkhistoricsite.org
📸 Follow along on Facebook and Instagram: [@ClarkHistoricSite]
And most importantly:
📌 Subscribe. Share. Comment. Engage.
This is how we carry the torch forward — one story, one post, one truth at a time.