The Robert Churchwell Foundation Website has been established to keep all of those involved in the foundation as well as those supporting us, up-to-date with the foundation’s progress, activities, and upcoming efforts.  Please stop by regularly for play updates and comments.  If you happen to have any questions, feel free to contact us at info@therobertchurchwell.org.  Thank in advance for your support!

• Who was Robert Churchwell, Sr.?

In 1950, Robert Churchwell was hired at The Nashville Banner, and became one of the first African Americans to work full-time as a reporter at a prominent daily Southern newspaper. At the time, the Banner was known for its defense of the “old South” and its segregationist ways. Churchwell was originally hired to report on the African American community, as a way to increase readership among blacks. “They hired me so the Banner could start running pictures of Negroes and Negro stories all over the paper, not just in one part,” said Churchwell during his videotaped interview with NVLP in 2002. Churchwell later became the paper’s education writer.

Initially, Churchwell was not allowed a desk in the newsroom. For several years, he wrote his stories at home and delivered them to the city editor. Later, when he was given a desk in the newsroom, according to Churchwell, only a few of his Caucasian colleagues would speak to him. For 31 years, Churchwell worked for the Banner, retiring in 1981.

After retirement from the Banner, Churchwell worked at the R.H.Boyd Publishing Corporation as their editorial writer.  He worked there for an additional 25 years.  Churchwell has been honored with several awards including being honored posthumously by the Society of Professional Journalist with the Helen Thomas Award for Lifetime Achievement.   The award was last given to former NBC Newsanchor, Tom Brokaw.  The Monroe Carell, Jr. Children’s Hospital has a lectureship in his honor.  Churchwell was noted for saying:  Of all the awards and honors, my children are my greatest accomplishment.  Today three of Churchwell’s sons work in prominent positions at Vanderbilt University Medical Center where Churchwell once had to view the football games from behind the fence.

On February 1, 2009, Churchwell passed away. He was 91. His wife, Mary Elizabeth Buckingham of 57 years, and their five children are left to cherish Churchwell’s memory.