William Florence Reed

1941 - 2024

William Florence Reed, President and Chief Executive Officer of Black Press International, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 25, 2024, after a lengthy illness. He was born on December 13, 1941, in Drew, Mississippi, and spent his formative years in Dayton, Ohio. Known affectionately as Bill, he was a distinguished media entrepreneur whose over four decades of work left an indelible mark on Black media in America.
Reed began his professional journey with Chrysler Airtemps and AT&T in Dayton, later moving to Rochester, NY, and ultimately settling in Washington, DC. It was here that he embarked on his entrepreneurial career in marketing and communications, setting the stage for his remarkable achievements.
As a visionary leader, Reed earned national recognition for his exceptional writing, speaking, and organizational skills. His expertise in public and community relations, grassroots organizing, and legislative affairs made him a trusted advisor to policymakers and community leaders alike.
Reed's commitment to amplifying Black voices in media was evident from his early role as a Media Specialist for Census 2000 in the National Capital Area. He later served as Executive Director of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), where he tirelessly advocated for the significance of Black media in fostering economic development and social change. Reed wrote for several prominent publications, including the Capital Spotlight, Washington Observer, and News Dimensions. His syndicated commentaries reached over 140 Black-oriented newspapers across the nation, inspiring countless readers.
In 1995, Reed was honored by the National Black Masters of Business Administration as the "Outstanding Business Communicator of the Year." He also published the "Who's Who in Black Corporate America - Register," celebrating the achievements of African Americans in business.
Beyond journalism, Reed was a master at developing innovative media strategies for a global audience, having traveled to six of the seven continents. His legacy of elevating the African-American community and his dedication to social justice will continue to inspire future generations of media professionals.
But most important to Bill was that he was an OBSESSIVE Redskins fan and would revel in the fact that his team has now become relevant and successful again in the NFL!
William Reed was preceded in death by his mother, Aubrey Hurskin; father, Willie Reed; brother, Willie Reed; grandparents, James and Hester Hurskin and devoted cousin, Mattie Calhoun. He is survived by his children, Clayton (Ashley) Reed, Victoria (Scott) Shelton, and Wil Reed; his siblings, Sandra Lewis, Larry Russell, Sylvester Reed, Lenora Herring, Robert Reed, Linnie Traylor, and Andre Guy Reed; as well as six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a vast network of nieces, nephews, and cousins. He leaves behind numerous friends and colleagues who admired his unwavering dedication to elevating the African-American community.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to organizations dedicated to supporting Black media initiatives and educational programs. A celebration of Reed's life will be held on his birthdate, December 13, 2024 at Wayman AME Church in Dayton, Ohio at 11 a.m., with visitation with the family starting at 10 a.m. and Live Streaming is available on Wayman's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/share/kva78PKPoK3a1Mjo/?mibextid=LQQJ4d or on their Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@waymandayton.