The NABJ Family Mourns the Loss of Journalism Pioneer Walt Elder

The NABJ family mourns the loss of pioneering journalist Walt Elder, who passed away on Feb. 22 at 81.  

His legacy was honored at a celebration of life service on March 7 in Atlanta, as family, friends, colleagues, and those he inspired came together to pay tribute to his courage and commitment to paving the way for generations of Black journalists.  

Elder made history as one of Atlanta’s first Black male anchors. His journey in journalism began with a passion for media, despite the reality that few Black-owned outlets existed at the time and most white-owned stations were not hiring Black staff.  

That changed one day on the Morehouse College campus, when Elder saw a bulletin from WQXI, a white-owned radio and television outlet, announcing an opening. He applied, was hired as a reporter for WQXI radio, and helped break down barriers. His talent quickly caught the attention of WSB-TV’s general manager, who later called to offer him an on-air role. Elder eventually became featured on the station’s morning news, delivering reports at 7:25 a.m. and 8:25 a.m.  

He made history again as WSB’s first Black manager of public affairs. This role allowed him to influence programming and news coverage to better serve the local community and beyond.  

Though Elder achieved many firsts, he remained focused on building a legacy of excellence—one that would serve as a model for future journalists around the globe.