doi:10.7916/d8-7x6j-4s59Oral history interview with Paul R. Jervay, Sr., 1971Jervay, Paul R., Sroral historiesmixed materialJournalistsAfrican American pressAfrican American journalistsAfrican Americans--Civil rightsJournalism--Social aspectsFamily-owned business enterprisesUnited States Race relationsRaleigh (N.C.)Norfolk (Va.)Jervay, Paul R., SrNational Newspaper Publishers Association (U.S.)Chicago defenderIn this interview with Henry G. La Brie III, Paul R. Jervay, Sr. discusses his family, education, employment history, and work with several black owned and operated newspapers. Jervay shares information on his grandfather, as well as his father who started the Jervay family in the printing and newspaper businesses. In addition he details his brothers' contribution to the family business and provides information on the various newspapers they published, or with whom they worked, including the Norfolk Journal and Guide, and The Chicago Defender. He discusses his work at The Carolinian, and its growth under his leadership: equipment, circulation, staffing, and revenue sources. Jervay shares his views on the importance of, and challenges facing, the black press; and last, its future and impact on black and white communities. He provides his view on the question of whether a paper's ownership dictates its qualification to be identified a black paper. Jervay also talks about the importance of the black press; The Carolinian's affiliation with Amalgamated Publishers, Inc. and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA); strategies for weeklies to compete with dailies; the importance of the black press as a supplement to the white press; the need for a national news service for African American newspapers; and the importance of investing in the business.