Executive Summary

We consider The People’s Voice The NEW black voice of East Alabama and West Georgia, including, Chambers, Clay, Cleburne, Lee and Randolph Counties in East Alabama, and Heard and Troup Counties in West Georgia.   

The People’s Voice is a subsidiary of The Wilkie Clark Memorial Foundation, Inc. (WCMF) based in Roanoke, Alabama. 

The People’s Voice was initially conceived in connection with the launching of the Wilkie Clark Memorial Foundation, on February 16, 2005.  A short time after its inception, The Clark Memorial Foundation’s board appointed a “Task Force” to explore the feasibility of launching a black weekly newspaper.   This task force was composed of Ms. Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson, Ms. T. Jeanetta Minnifield Stevens, Reverend William A. Dean, Mr. Christopher Daniel, Mrs. Doris Baker, Mrs. Betty Woody and Ms. Lola Mae Wright. This task force met religiously and developed a survey form to poll the black populations of Randolph and the surrounding counties.   

Using data from Census 2000, Ms. Clark-Frieson conducted demographic studies to determine the black populations that inhabit the proposed distribution area, arriving at a total black population of 77,000.  Understanding the power of the pen, and the press, it was apparent that  this project had to be further pursued in an effort to empower such a large number of African-American citizens and consumers.

The Foundation’s Board Of Directors through its task force, devoted it’s first several months of operation to launching this dynamic print medium.  This task force met the challenge of naming the publication, developing both a mission statement and a motto (or slogan), colors, logo, icons, and everything that you see when you read this paper.  The decision was made to issue the paper on Friday morning of each week, with the deadline set for the Friday preceding publication.    The first publication was issued July 22, 2005. 

The People’s Voice launched Volume I Number 1 with a circulation of 1000.  The second week Volume II Number 2 doubled to 2000. 

Our present distribution strategy is a multi-dimensional approach which includes:  1. door to door distribution, 2. retail sales, 3. subscription mailings, 4. Church Readership Groups, 5. Curbside Vending.  The first issue of The People’s Voice was well-received by all who read it.  And distribution has grown steadily ever since.   Upon release of the first publication, subscription numbers tripled.  And the number of subscribers increases daily.

During the initial launch of The People’s Voice, the production of the weekly publication was accomplished out of the home-office of Ms. Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson, where it was electronically formatted, and out sourced.   It is now the goal of The Clark Memorial Foundation to find a  temporary facility in which to house the complete operation while we work to construct the African-American Archives & Empowerment Center, where the Paper will ultimately be housed.

TPV prides itself on high journalistic standards through the promotion and distribution of culturally relevant, objective news and information which vitally impacts the African American (and other minority) Communities.

Our Philosophy

We, at The Voice, consider ourselves the black historians of East Alabama and West Georgia area.  We consider it our duty to set the record straight, where issues and events in the African-American communities are concerned.   We strive to make our readers and our advertisers proud they support a publication that portrays the African-American as a multidimensional person capable of excelling in areas other than sports, entertainment, and politics.

The content of the People’s Voice is based first on our own judgment and our knowledge of African-American people and our issues, in collaboration with that of our Editorial Staff, and secondly on the issues, ideas and informational needs of our readers.   Therefore, our main goal is to engage our readers by seeking their opinions and ideas, and maintaining an “open–door policy” when it comes to developing and setting ideas in motion, as well as delivering coverage that reflects our culture.  We are committed to the betterment of our readers, our community, our society and our world and we will continue such by the demanding standards of truth.

Currently, The People’s Voice consists of 12.5” X 22.75” Broad Sheet, presented in one section (A) ranging from 10 to 16 pages depending upon the amount of material to be covered in a particular issue. These pages include News Features which focus on both national and local news of interest, An Editorial Section, News and Commentaries covering the Faith Community and Events Section, Historical Highlights, the "KidScoop" Educational Supplement and Other News Of Interest.  Each issue also includes a “Foundation” section, devoted totally to the WCMF.  This section is included in order to keep before “the people,” the focus of the publishers.    Every effort is made to present news of interest at the National, State, and Local level.  Periodically, other features appear such as relationship pieces, or guest editorials.

The Faith Community Section is usually presented in the form of a 12.5” X 22.75”  one page Broad Sheet that contains information on activities that are of particular interest to the church community, regardless of denomination. This section  also contains an Events Calendar.

A number of our papers are read by people outside the East Alabama/West Georgia area  (primarily reached through subscriptions) yet our information focus remains on local activities and issues.  

Our Market

The People’s Voice’s target market is the African-American Community in Randolph County, and the seven counties on it’s perimeter, which includes:   Chambers, Clay, Cleburne and Lee Counties in East Alabama, and Heard and Troup Counties in West Georgia.  Demographic studies indicate this market to be composed of approximately 77,000 black voices that must continue to be heard.

 Future Outlook For The People’s Voice

 It is within our immediate future plans to employ both full and part-time employees performing a range of duties from news reporting, processing to layout, production and sales. Additionally, we look forward to being able to employ the services of freelance writers to assist us in generating and preparing content for our Newspaper.

In an effort to engage our young readers, THE VOICE would also like to see inserted inside the main pages, a magazine insert, sports section, tabloid, which will carry entertainment news including book, movie and record reviews.

Supplements. As we endeaver to broaden our outreach, we would also like to reach our neighbors by the addition of special edition supplements (i.e. Black History month, Coupon Distribution, Black College Sports Report, Health Care and coverage of the college Classics.)

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