**FILE** People throughout the District are remembering Washington Informer writer James L. Wright Jr., who recently died. (WI photo)
Remembering Washington Informer Writer James Wright: D.C. Area Mourns Loss of Veteran Journalist
by Micha Green and Hamil R. Harris
James L. Wright Jr., a beloved and longtime Washington Informer staff writer with more than three decades experience reporting across the D.C. area, nation and worldwide, has died.
Having worked with the publication for years in many capacities, Wright was a critical part of The Washington Informer family and his news comes as a major shock to the entire team.
“No words can express the sadness I feel over James Wright’s passing. He was a passionate journalist who loved history and enjoyed writing stories about the people who make the nation’s capital the great place he called home,” said WI Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes. “He will be sorely missed by the Informer staff, his colleagues and the community he served.”
The Washington Informer has spoken to authorities who confirmed he died of natural causes in his home in Seat Pleasant, Maryland.
As an Informer staff writer, Wright, 63, covered business and politics. He worked for AFRO-American Newspapers as a reporter, city editor and freelance writer and copy editor for The Washington Post.
Working as a journalist for more than three decades, Wright interviewed foreign leaders such as Libya’s Moammar Quadafi and South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki, and countless U.S. Black political leaders. His work took him throughout the United States, as well as Libya, Afghanistan, Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom and Italy.
In addition to his fearless journalism, Wright was a proud Texas native and member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Mu Lambda Chapter.
“Brother James Wright carried a pleasant spirit everywhere he went — whether I crossed paths with him covering the annual MLK Day Parade in Southeast D.C., reporting from the halls of CBC, or standing proudly on the prow of multiple political meetings in the community where truth needed a voice. His dedication to his craft as a writer and reporter for The Washington Informer was matched only by his pride in becoming an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Mu Lambda Chapter this September,” said Mikael LaRoche, Mu Lambda president. “He pledged the fraternity in 1984, at the Eta Gamma Chapter seated in Prairie View University. His presence, his professionalism, and the warmth he brought to every encounter will be deeply missed. We honor his legacy and the impact he made on our Brotherhood and our city.”
#JamesWrightLegacy #VeteranJournalist #WashingtonInformer
