The legacy of Bernal E. Smith II, the late Tri-State Defender publisher, will be honored on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, when he is enshrined in the Gallery of Distinguished Black Publishers by the National Newspaper Publishers Association Fund (NNPAF).
The ceremony recognizing Smith’s contributions to the Black Press and his impact as a leader, journalist and publisher will take place at 10 a.m. on the campus of Howard University in the Blackburn Ballroom.
The NNPA Fund Black Press Archives and Gallery of Distinguished Black Publishers, established in 1973 as a joint project between the NNPA and Howard University, celebrates the pioneers and leaders who shaped African American journalism. Located in the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, the gallery honors distinguished publishers each year during Black Press Week.
Those enshrined represent a powerful list of trailblazers, including Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells and Marcus Garvey — leaders who used journalism as a platform for justice, advocacy and empowerment.
“The National Newspaper Publishers Association Fund is proud and honored to induct Bernal E. Smith II, the late Publisher of the Tri-State Defender, into the Black Press Gallery of Distinguished Black Publishers,” said Karen Carter Richards, chairman of NNPA Fund and CEO and publisher of Forward Times Media Group in Houston.
“Bernal represented the very best of the next generation of Black Press leadership. He brought incredible energy, creativity, and a bold vision for the future of the National Newspaper Publishers Association and the Black Press as a whole,” Richards added.
Smith was widely recognized as a transformative force in Memphis media. A Memphis native, he led the historic Black newspaper beginning in 2010 and played a pivotal role in returning it to local ownership in 2013. That year, Smith led a group of investors to purchase the publication from Real Times Media, ensuring the newspaper would remain locally owned and operated.
As publisher, Smith centered his work on preserving the legacy and purpose of Black journalism. Under his leadership, the Tri-State Defender expanded its role as a voice for community advocacy, social justice, and economic opportunity in Memphis and beyond. He was also known for elevating local leaders and unsung heroes through signature community events and recognition galas that celebrated achievement across the city.
Smith passed away in October 2017 at age 45.
His enshrinement into the Gallery of Distinguished Black Publishers ensures that his work — and the work of the Tri-State Defender — will remain part of the historical record of the Black Press. The gallery also serves as a critical archive, preserving the contributions of more than 200 African American-owned community newspapers.
“Those of us in the NNPA were extremely proud of Bernal and believed deeply in his leadership and innovative ideas to help move our organization forward,” Carter said.
