Memorial service this Saturday, April 2nd at University Circle UMC to honor the life of journalism pioneer Thom Greer

This Saturday, April 2, marks another pioneer moment in the life of Cleveland journalist Thom Greer, as friends, associates and family gather at 10:30am at our University Circle United Methodist Church to honor this unique person and his impactful life.

Thom came all this way "on purpose." He was born in segregated Nashville, Tennessee, and went on to study history at traditionally-black Dillard University in New Orleans. He got his first newspaper job in 1964 in Trenton, N.J., when African-American journalists were a rarity even in Northern newsrooms.

In 1983 Thom became the first black sports editor with a major American newspaper, The Plain Dealer, and within three years he was managing the paper's daily news operation. In 1990, he became the paper's Editor, succeeding Thomas Vail, whose family had owned the paper.

Thom brought people together and "full circle" in virtually every aspect of his life. And so it is only fitting that, as a merged congregation, we come "full circle" and, together, honor this pioneer and his exceptional life achievements.

Maxine and family invite you, following the memorial service, to join them in the church’s Great Hall for a luncheon gathering. And in lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the church for the Thom Greer Scholarship Fund.

Posted via email from OneCoolGod at UCUMC