In 1914, a lot was happening around the world. In my home town of Highland Park, Mich., Henry Ford introduced the assembly line for the Model T automobile. In Washington, the Lincoln Memorial construction began.
In Brussels, the first successful blood transfusion was completed. Congress established Mother’s Day in the United States.
The first African-American heavyweight boxer, Jack Johnson, beat Frank Moran, in 20 rounds to maintain his boxing title. The U.S. Army started flying planes as World War I began.
And, The Sphinx magazine was born. Thanks to a Midwestern Alpha brother from Minnesota named Raymond Cannon.
Much has happened since Alpha Phi Alpha became the second continuously published African-American magazine in the world — only the NAACP's The Crisis was hitting the press before us. The Sphinx has been a publication of record, of all the major events—especially the events and issues that have impacted people of color, both here in the U.S. and around the world.
In 2014, in our 100th anniversary issue, we ushered in some modifications to ensure that The Sphinx remains on the cutting edge. This includes our storytelling, design, and The Sphinx, will be expanding its digital imprint.
For me, this milestone is also personal.
In 1987, I met Brother Cannon when I was a months-old member in the fraternity at Pi Upsilon Chapter at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. A year later, Cannon, at the time the eldest past general president, administered the oath of office to me as Midwestern assistant vice president to sit on the fraternity’s board of directors.
We would have several conversations about journalism, The Sphinx and its role and mission to serve not only the brothers, but be a journalistic beacon to the world; providing information to, for, by and about the African-American community.
Little did I know at that time, that in its 100th year, I would be the editor-in-chief of the magazine Cannon created. I remain honored and still get emotional about it all whenever the topic comes up.
When Cannon started it, The Sphinx was just a few pages, a typeset publication and folded. I marvel at how it has evolved—and what 24 men before me and our current editorial team have managed to do with "his" magazine. It is a team effort, to make The Sphinx what it is when it lands in mail boxes on nearly every continent.
Whether it has been fighting Jim Crow, joining the battle of the "Greatest Generation" into World War II, making the case for civil rights in the Deep South to the nation's capital, or building a national memorial fit for a "King," or celebrating the election of America's first African-American president, The Sphinx has been there. I am certain that we will continue to shine a light on places, faces and situations that dim or cast darkness.
Of course, like any publication, there are hosts of opinions and differences of opinion. A news director once told me newsrooms are not democracies—but the beauty of our work as journalists is that we play a pivotal role in preserving democracy. I like to believe that since 1914 Alpha men have done a swell job at making it so.
We look forward to even more the next 100 years!
Rick Blalock, a two-time Emmy-winning journalist , was the 25th editor-in-chief of The Sphinx and served as the magazine's centennial-year editor. He led the magazine for more than six years before stepping down in April. You can reach him at rickblalock1906@yahoo.com .
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