By Dr. Deborah Bailey
AFRO Contributing Editor
James L. Wright Jr., the internationally respected former AFRO reporter and editor, has died at age 62.
(Courtesy photo/Washington Informer)
Wright was a resolute and focused sports, political and public affairs reporter who also served as a city editor for the AFRO American Newspaper for many years. At the time of his death, he worked as business and political correspondent for the Washington Informer.
Wright, who died of natural causes at his home in Seat Pleasant, Md., will be greatly missed by his AFRO News family.
Dr. Frances “Toni” Murphy Draper, AFRO CEO and publisher, spoke to Wright’s time with publication.
“I remember James Wright as a young reporter working under my mother, Frances L. Murphy II—eager to learn, eager to serve our readers and always determined to get the story right,” said Draper. “Over the years, James grew into a trusted voice at the AFRO, serving as a reporter, our D.C. editor, and later as a dedicated freelancer. In every role, he remained a consummate professional whose work reflected both integrity and deep love for the community.”
AFRO Publisher Emeritus, John Jake Oliver Jr. reflected on Wright’s impact on the AFRO enterprise.
“James was a great journalist and major contributor to the AFRO’s growth and successes during my tenure as publisher,” said Oliver. “His talented journalism will be greatly missed.”
Wright captured the political, business and community life of the Washington and Baltimore regions as well as national and world news for more than three decades. His work with both AFRO News and the Washington Informer took him to Capitol Hill and beyond. Wright worked throughout the United States, but also delivered on the ground coverage from Africa and the Middle East. In July 2006 he traveled to Afghanistan to provide the AFRO with coverage of what was happening in the war torn country. But that wasn’t his first time representing the Black Press on the international stage.
In January 1998 Wright interviewed Muammar al-Qaddafi, who –at the time- was the leader of Libya.
His travels as a Black journalist also took him to Iraq, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
AFRO freelancer Kevin McNeir, another veteran of the Black Press, worked with Wright at both the AFRO and the Washington Informer and deeply respected Wright personally and professionally.
“James loved talking to people, authoring stories that gave voice to the voiceless and always approached his work with integrity,” said McNeir. “We both were members of the same fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., so we connected pretty quickly. But what I really admired about him was his willingness to do whatever was necessary to master his craft.”
“James was passionate about doing all he could to bring local stories that improved the paper and which were often overlooked by mainstream media. He was a Black Press reporter in every sense of the word,” said McNeir.
AFRO Freelancer Reginald Williams paid homage to Wright and their time in the newsroom together.
“By the time James served under my leadership, he was already a well-established and highly respected journalist. Astute and well-versed, he exemplified the ideals to which every journalist should aspire,” said Williams. “His integrity and grit in getting the story and getting it right were impeccable. James was influenced only by the story’s truth. His body of work stands as a testament to his name: James Wright got it right.”
Veteran Washington Post and Black Press reporter Hamil R. Harris worked with Wright at all of his major reporting stops in the Washington D.C. region: The AFRO, The Washington Post, and the Washington Informer.
“James was a consummate professional in his work ethic. But what I loved and admired most about James in every role was his humility, and his love for everyday people,” said Harris. “James was effective, yet he was gentle. His life and work reflected the voice of the communities he loved.”
Wright not only reported on communities throughout the Washington, D.C. region, he served his community with diligence and integrity. Recently, Wright stepped out of his role of reporter to serve the residents of Seat Pleasant as a member of the Seat Pleasant City County (2022 to 2024). On the same council, he also served as vice president.
Wright was a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He served through the Mu Lambda Chapter and was a dedicated member of the Asbury United Methodist Church (UMC) in Washington, D.C., where he served as church historian.
“James put in many hours serving as chair of Asbury’s Archives and History Committee. He organized his fraternity to serve breakfast at our Neighbor 2 Neighbor breakfasts every Sunday. He was truly a “Methodist Man, ” said Tawana Jackson, Asbury UMC Stephen Minister.
Rev. Dorothy Scott Boulware, former AFRO managing editor, had the following to say about Wright:
“James was a grounded writer and good team member who was always willing to press his way to get a story.”
Final arrangements for Wright’s funeral services are still underway.
A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the age of Mr. James L. Wright at the time of his death as 63. Mr. Wright was born on Nov. 9, 1963 and died on Dec. 2. He was 62 years old. The AFRO deeply regrets this error.