Broadcast veteran remembered

Vince Sanders helped create a national group for black journalists

Broadcaster Vince Sanders, who helped create a national organization for black journalists, died last week in Central Florida, where he had lived since 1997 after retiring from a long career in the news and entertainment fields.

“For a time he worked for NBC News, but his first love was being a broadcaster for what was then called ‘black radio,’ ” said DeWayne Wickham, a friend, retired columnist for USA Today and founding dean of the School of Global Journalism & Communication at Morgan State University, a historically black college in Baltimore.

Wickham remembered his friend’s booming voice, hearty laugh and broad smile.

The Longwood resident died Oct. 10 at 83 after a decade-long struggle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In 1975, Sanders, Wickham and 42 other African-American journalists co-founded the National Association of Black Journalists.

The organization has worked to diversify newsrooms and advocates on behalf of black journalists.

Joyce Sanders, his wife of 40 years, said her husband was encouraged by the organization’s progress and growth over the years. It now boasts 4,100 members.

“He thought the new young group of black journalists were doing a good job, making a difference,” she said. “He thought