The City Sun

The City Sun was an African American-oriented weekly newspaper published in Brooklyn, New York, from 1984 through 1996. Founded by journalists Andrew W. Cooper and Utrice C. Leid, it operated as a locally rooted publication serving readers interested in New York City politics, civic affairs, culture, and social issues affecting African American communities. Cooper served as publisher, while Leid was managing editor; film critic Armond White held the position of arts editor. The newspaper positioned itself as an independent and frequently confrontational voice within New York's Black press. Its motto, “Speaking Truth to Power,” reflected an editorial approach that was willing to criticize influential African American politicians and institutions rather than treating racial solidarity as a reason to avoid scrutiny. This stance distinguished The City Sun from publications that might have adopted a more deferential relationship with Black political leadership. In 1993, for example, a front-page editorial sharply criticized David Dinkins, New York City's first African American mayor, arguing that his public leadership was becoming weak. The paper also became known for its willingness to challenge mainstream media conventions and standards. In 1989, The City Sun and the Amsterdam News published the name of the woman later identified as Trisha Meili, who had been assaulted in Central Park. Utrice Leid defended the decision by pointing to what she regarded as an unequal media standard: mainstream outlets had previously identified a minor involved in the Tawana Brawley case while withholding the identity of the Central Park victim. The decision was controversial and remains one of the most consequential episodes associated with the newspaper's history. The City Sun received recognition for its journalism. In 1987, Andrew W. Cooper was named Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists for his work with the publication. The newspaper reportedly had a circulation of approximately 18,500 in 1987, according to The New York Times. Despite its influence and local readership, it faced financial difficulties. Cooper closed the newspaper in 1996, ending twelve years of publication. The New York Times reported at the time that the paper's circulation at closure could not be determined.

The City Sun emerged in Brooklyn in 1984 as a weekly newspaper serving African American readers in New York City. Its founders, journalist and publisher Andrew W. Cooper and managing editor Utrice C. Leid, created a publication intended to address community concerns while also engaging directly with the city's broader political and cultural life. The paper's editorial identity was summarized by the motto “Speaking Truth to Power.” Rather than limiting itself to celebratory coverage of African American institutions or leaders, The City Sun adopted a critical posture. It scrutinized African American politicians and community figures as well as predominantly white institutions, reflecting a view that a Black-owned newspaper could serve its audience best by maintaining editorial independence. Its coverage included local affairs, political commentary, community issues, and arts reporting. Film critic Armond White served as arts editor, adding a cultural dimension to the publication's journalism. The newspaper gained recognition during the 1980s. In 1987, The New York Times reported a circulation of about 18,500, indicating a significant local readership for a specialized weekly. That same year, the National Association of Black Journalists named Andrew W. Cooper Journalist of the Year for his work at The City Sun. The award reinforced the paper's standing within African American journalism and highlighted Cooper's role as both an editor-publisher and a public voice. One of the most controversial moments in the paper's history occurred in 1989. The City Sun, together with the Amsterdam News, published the name of the woman who had been attacked in Central Park and later became publicly known as Trisha Meili. The choice contrasted with the approach of mainstream outlets that generally did not identify her. Utrice Leid justified the decision by arguing that the media had previously identified Tawana Brawley, a minor who said she had been raped, and had invaded her privacy, while applying a different standard to the Central Park case. The episode raised difficult questions about victim privacy, journalistic ethics, racial representation, and whether different communities received equal treatment from the press. It remains a defining and contentious part of The City Sun's legacy. The paper continued to express its independence in political coverage. A 1993 front-page editorial advised David Dinkins, New York's first African American mayor, that he was beginning to appear weak in office. The criticism demonstrated that the newspaper did not regard shared racial identity as a basis for shielding public officials from scrutiny. It also reflected the publication's broader role as an internal critic of Black political leadership in New York. The City Sun ultimately faced financial problems that made continued publication unsustainable. Cooper closed the paper in 1996, ending its run after approximately twelve years. The New York Times stated that circulation at the time of closure could not be determined. Although defunct, The City Sun is remembered as part of New York's Black press tradition and as an example of a locally focused publication that combined community service, political independence, and cultural criticism.

• 1996

  Publication ends

  [1]The City Sunen.wikipedia.org

  Financial difficulties lead Cooper to shut down The City Sun.

• 1993

  Front-page criticism of Mayor David Dinkins

  [1]The City Sunen.wikipedia.org

  The newspaper publicly challenges New York Mayor David Dinkins in a sharply worded editorial, reinforcing its independent editorial posture.

• 1989

  The paper publishes the Central Park victim's name

  [1]The City Sunen.wikipedia.org

  The City Sun and the Amsterdam News identify the woman attacked in Central Park, generating controversy over privacy and unequal media treatment.

• 1987

  Cooper receives national journalism recognition

  [1]The City Sunen.wikipedia.org

  The National Association of Black Journalists names publisher Andrew W. Cooper Journalist of the Year for his work with The City Sun.

• 1984

  The City Sun is founded in Brooklyn

  [1]The City Sunen.wikipedia.org

  Andrew W. Cooper and Utrice C. Leid establish the weekly newspaper to cover issues of particular interest to African Americans in New York City.

An independent Black-owned community newspaper that combined local reporting, political criticism, and cultural coverage with an intentionally outspoken editorial stance.

• Newspaper · 1984

  The City Sun weekly newspaper

  The brand's principal and apparently sole product was a weekly print newspaper published in Brooklyn. It focused on New York City issues affecting African American communities, combining reporting, editorials, political commentary, and cultural coverage. Its distinctive value was its willingness to criticize Black political leaders and institutions while maintaining a community-oriented editorial perspective.

• 1989

  Publication of the Central Park victim's identity

  The City Sun and the Amsterdam News published the name of the woman attacked in Central Park. Managing editor Utrice C. Leid defended the decision as a response to what she viewed as unequal media treatment in the earlier Tawana Brawley case. The action became a contentious episode involving victim privacy, journalistic ethics, and racialized differences in news coverage.

  Source

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• 1993

  Public criticism of Mayor David DinkinsStrategy

  Background

  The City Sun maintained that a Black-owned newspaper should not avoid criticizing prominent African American officials.

  Action taken

  A front-page editorial sharply criticized Mayor David Dinkins's performance and public leadership.

  Aftermath

  The editorial reinforced the paper's reputation for holding African American political leaders accountable rather than adopting a protective or deferential editorial line.

  Source

• 1989

  Decision to identify the Central Park victimOther

  Background

  Mainstream news organizations generally withheld the identity of the woman attacked in Central Park, while The City Sun and the Amsterdam News took a different approach.

  Action taken

  The newspapers published her name. Utrice C. Leid explained the decision by pointing to what she considered a contrasting media standard in the Tawana Brawley case.

  Aftermath

  The decision generated controversy and became a lasting example of the newspaper's confrontational editorial independence and its engagement with questions of race, privacy, and media fairness.

  Source

1. 1The City Sunen.wikipedia.org