by Shawn Nowlin
The word “indomitable” has multiple meanings. While Webster’s Dictionary defines the adjective as “a person that cannot be subdued or conquered,” the term also speaks of one who embodies a purposeful spirit.
Equipped with his indomitable spirit, Stan Hale is an individual who for over 40 years has embraced the responsibility that comes with running a family-owned weekly newspaper which is not for the faint of heart.
As the Roanoke Tribune’s Associate Editor, Hale often wears many hats simultaneously. Because he stands on the shoulders of family giants, he has been able to overcome countless obstacles that have come his way over the years.
A Christiansburg native, Hale’s grandfather, Rev. F.E. Alexander, founded the Roanoke Tribune in 1939 during the height of the Great Depression. Thirty-two years later, primarily due to poor health from a car accident, Alexander sold the paper to his daughter, Claudia A. Whitworth.
Hale and his two siblings grew up watching their mother work tirelessly to keep the family business afloat. Originally headquartered at 5 Gilmer Avenue, the paper later moved to 312 Henry Street before relocating to its current location, 2318 Melrose Avenue.
As a longstanding member of Asbury United Methodist Church in Christiansburg, Dr. Nathaniel Bishop, Hale’s longtime friend and confidant, recently invited him to share his story at the church during a Black History celebration held Sunday, Feb. 22.
“Our friendship began when I was president at Jefferson College of Health Sciences and from there it truly began to blossom. A great man, Stan has spent practically his whole life in Roanoke. His mother and my older sister, Eleanor, were classmates at the Christiansburg Institute. A graduate of William Fleming High School, Hale went on to study political science and English at Roanoke College,” Bishop explained during Hale’s introduction.
“Stan chose to work with his mother at the Tribune,” He added. “He could have done many other things. Instead, he chose to use his life promoting the vehicle that serves as a voice for the African American community – his family’s newspaper.”
During his remarks, Hale opened briefly chronicling the newspaper’s history starting with his grandfather as founder, his mother who followed as editor and now at 98, sits comfortably in the Tribune office every day.
“Please understand that at 71, it seems like I am quickly turning into Black history,” Hale said to those who sat amused by the comment.
He spoke on the concept of gratitude and how love was the thread that kept the family and the newspaper together, even when he and his mother as editor, didn’t always see eye to eye.
“I am supremely grateful to be a product of a consciousness rooted in several religions,” he said referring to the level of faith that stabilized him through it all.
“Raised in the Christian church, I sat for years amazed by the sermons of Rev. William Lee, all while delicately holding the hand of my paternal grandmother Robbie Board who passed at the ripe age of 100.”
Hale’s five-decade career is a testament to what can be accomplished if you cling to certain principles and surround yourself with the right people who believe in the greatness of the collective mission of a “newspaper with a positive purpose.”
Over the years, many subscribers, advertisers and other supporters have contributed to the newspaper’s longevity and success. The small but dedicated staff currently consists of his sister, Eva Shaw-Gill, Rico Robertson, Lee Pierre, Leslie Terry, Shawn Nowlin and Tessy Abade who collectively keep the paper’s primary objective alive.
This coming April the paper will celebrate 87 years of “Making and Recording Black History” continuing its legacy as one of the few remaining African American-owned newspapers in the country.
The Black History celebration also included a 90th birthday salute to Dr. Randy Grayson, a seasoned multi-degreed researcher, scholar and teacher with over 44 years of multicultural experience in higher education initiatives, activities and programs.
Grayson was presented an elaborate birthday cake served during the soul food dinner that concluded this auspicious occasion.
