DETROIT – Local media icon Sam Logan, the publisher of the Michigan Chronicle newspaper in the city, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 28 after a longtime, pioneering journalism career with the influential black newspaper. The cause of death has not yet been determined. 

Logan (above right) became one of the most influential media figures in Detroit during his time with the Chronicle.

Logan, who was 78, joined the Chronicle in the 1960s and went on to become one of the most respected community voices in the area, interviewing many of Detroit’s most powerful and influential figures over the years including Dennis Archer, Kwame Kilpatrick and Coleman Young. 

Senior Editor Bankole Thompson said he found out when WXYZ-TV called him for comments on the situation, and said he was really surprised because Logan did not seem to have health problems. 

Thompson drove to Logan’s riverfront apartment to console his daughters. 

“All of us were in a state of shock…I just saw him the Friday before, Christmas Eve eve, and everything was okay, I never really expected that he would go so soon.” 

Logan was born in Haynesville, Louisiana but soon became invested in the Detroit community after moving to the city in the 1950s and attending school at the University of Detroit Mercy. He also served as a paratrooper in the U.S. Army, founded another newspaper and became part-owner of Real Times Media, LLC, which managed several black newspapers in the Midwest region and in Memphis. 

Logan joined the Chronicle in the 1960s and rose to the position of publisher in the mid-1980s. 

Thompson describes Logan as a trusted leader who was also diplomatic, and a great motivator as well as a manager of people who made sure his employees were motivated and taken care. His favorite spots in Detroit included Opus One Restaurant, Mr. Mike’s and the Detroit Athletic Club. 

Logan was a lifelong member of the NAACP and the recipient of many awards including a Damon J. Keith Humanitarian Award presented to him by his longtime friend, Judge Damon J. Keith, and the Neal Shine Award presented for his lifetime commitment to Detroit media. 

“Sam wanted to make the paper an active voice for the community, and to reach out to people outside of the normal coverage range of the black press, too,” Thompson said. 

“He was a Detroit icon, definitely we will remember him as someone who really made his mark and that’s why there is so much fanfare and discussion, he’s done so much and seen so many generations, created so many events and shaped so many discussions.” 

The interim publisher for the Chronicle, which is a part of the New Michigan Media partnership along with The Arab American News and three other ethnic newspapers, will be Real Times CEO Hiram Jackson. 

Thompson spoke about how Logan would tell him to continue his legacy. 

“He would tell me to keep it moving, that was always his message,” he said, “and to ‘give ’em hell,’ when you send a message on the important community issues…He always wanted us to come off very strong and boldly.” 

Logan’s funeral service was expected to be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 6th at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit. He is survived by his aunt, Minnie Walker; sister; Anne Marie Green; daughters, Diane Taylor (William ), Rhonda Terry (William ), Tierra Logan and son Rashaad Logan (Latania), as well as five grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins as well as countless friends.