In Memoriam: Rosetta Miller Perry, ‘Queen Mother of the Black Press of America,’ dies at 91
Rosetta Miller Perry, founder, president and CEO of the Tennessee Tribune and widely known as the "Queen Mother of the Black Press of America," died June 26 at age 91. A pioneering publisher, civil rights leader and entrepreneur, Perry built one of Tennessee's most influential Black-owned newspapers after launching it with her personal savings in 1991, leaving a lasting legacy in journalism and community advocacy. The post In Memoriam: Rosetta Miller Perry, ‘Queen Mother of the Black Press of America,’ dies at 91 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
Black News 
By AFRO Staff
The AFRO expresses its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Rosetta Miller Perry, and the staff of the Tennessee Tribune, of which Perry was the founder, president and CEO.
On June 28, NNPA President and CEO Benjamin F. Chavis Jr. advised the newspaper network – of which the AFRO is a member – of their colleague’s death on June 26.
“On behalf of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), we express our profound sense of sadness on the passing of Rosetta Miller Perry, the distinguished founder, publisher, and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Tennessee Tribune, and an admired national civil rights leader,” Chavis’ statement read. “On Friday, June 26, 2026, Rosetta Perry at the age of 91 joined the pantheon of freedom-fighting ancestors. She passed away peacefully in Nashville, Tenn., in the presence of her immediate family.”
Perry was affectionately known as the “Queen Mother of the Black Press of America,” Chavis said. She served on the National Board of Directors of both the National Newspaper Publishers Association and the National Newspaper Publishers Association Fund. She was also the recipient of the NNPA Lifetime Achievement Award.
“A trailblazing publisher, civil rights pioneer, author, and entrepreneur, Miller-Perry dedicated her life to ensuring the stories, achievements and voices of Tennessee’s African American community were told with accuracy, dignity and purpose,” her obituary read.
Before founding the Tennessee Tribune in 1991, Perry spent more than a quarter-century in public service, including working for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and serving with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
In 1991, Perry turned her attention to the media space, intending to launch a newspaper. She sought out financing at local banks and was denied. But that didn’t defer her dreams. Perry invested $70,000 of her personal savings to launch the Tennessee Tribune. The newspaper’s permanent home was eventually established on Jefferson Street, in the heart of Nashville’s historic Black community.
“Under her leadership, the newspaper grew into one of Tennessee’s most influential Black-owned, statewide newspapers that remains as a ‘trusted voice’ for civil rights, community advocacy and Black-owned businesses,” Chavis said.
Perry was also founder of the Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce and charter member of Nashville’s Les Gemmes.
Though details for Perry’s “Celebration of Life” remain tentative, the funeral will be held on July 11, 2026, at a time to be later determined, according to Lewis & Wright Funeral Directors in Nashville.
The post In Memoriam: Rosetta Miller Perry, ‘Queen Mother of the Black Press of America,’ dies at 91 appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
