It is with deep gratitude, humility and appreciation that we recently celebrated the 80th year of publication of The Roanoke Tribune!
It all began back in 1939 with a man and his dream. The man was F.E. Alexander, then pastor of First Memorial Baptist Church of then Cambria, VA which he renamed (among much opposition by the members) Schaeffer Memorial Baptist Church after its founder, Captain Charles S. Schaeffer.
Some might say that Rev. Alexander was a man “ahead of his time,” having chartered” many bold courses, taken many unpopular stands and making several unsuccessful bids for Roanoke City Council –the first of which was in 1953. I contend that he was simply a pioneer who welcomed challenge and enjoyed a good fight. If he couldn’t find one, he’d start one–win or lose. But his primary dream was to provide a medium through which the Black population could become continuously informed of activities, accomplishments and opportunities of primary concern to the Black population in particular while promoting self-esteem, mutual respect and understanding.
Over the past 80 years now, The Roanoke Tribune has served the local community–and far beyond–as a catalyst proven to be far more influential than many would imagine and is currently sustained by four generations!
It began early in Roanoke with his opposition to the city’s Washington Park being used as a City dump! The Tribune was also instrumental in getting traffic and streetlights installed in various locations within the Black community and played an unparalleled role in the peaceful integration of public schools throughout the Roanoke Valley.
At present, as editor of The Tribune, I remain psychologically emotional about many negligent situations that remain in tact but are currently being more aggressively addressed by several admirable fraternal as well as other organizations including in particular the many facets of the local chapter NAACP.
The once highly acclaimed Black mecca of “Henry Street” still sits idle for the most part with only very limited revitalization in recent years. The lower end remains blighted with the extended property from the newly constructed First Baptist Church off Jefferson Street as the area’s greatest asset.
Under the present second generational ownership on Melrose Ave, NW–following total demolition overnight by the City of Roanoke–(with absolutely NO WARNING,) our biggest detriment is the loss of all former annual book-logs dating before 1977 –1978!
However, having inherited much of my father’s tenacity and pioneer spirit (possibly too much) I still insist on making stepping-stones out of stumbling blocks, subsequently often turning obstacles into opportunities; hoping to become famous, caring, well known and highly respected enough to be an instrument of peace and unity as the old slow turtle continues to crawl and its voice heard indeed throughout the land.
We therefore deem it only proper to salute the pioneer who started it all 80 years ago– the late Rev. F.E. Alexander.
