Ethel Payne was a pioneering African American journalist who is often referred to as the "First Lady of the Black Press." Born on August 14, 1911, in Chicago, Illinois, Payne began her career in journalism in the 1940s and quickly made a name for herself as a fearless and tenacious reporter.

Payne's reporting primarily focused on civil rights issues and racial injustice, becoming a prominent voice for the African American community during the civil rights movement. She covered major events such as the Montgomery bus boycott, the desegregation of schools, and the March on Washington in 1963, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

Throughout her career, Ethel Payne faced discrimination and obstacles as a Black woman in journalism but persevered in order to amplify the voices and stories of African Americans. Her work was instrumental in bringing attention to the struggles and achievements of Black Americans during a critical time in U.S. history.

Ethel Payne's legacy as a trailblazing journalist and advocate for social justice continues to inspire aspiring journalists and activists today.