About Us

Since its founding on November 22, 1962, The Sacramento Observer has been a central voice for the African American community in Sacramento, across California, and along the West Coast. The newspaper was established by Dr. William H. Lee, local radio personality Geno Gladden, and businessman John W. Cole, who recognized the urgent need for a weekly publication that would document and amplify the experiences, achievements, and concerns of Black Americans at a time when mainstream media largely ignored them. The first edition was a four-page newspaper published in Sacramento, providing a platform for news, culture, civic engagement, and advocacy.

Following the untimely passing of Gladden, William and his wife Kathryn C. Lee,  assumed full leadership of the publication in 1965, forming the Lee Publishing Company. Under their guidance, The Observer expanded steadily, producing multiple publications across the West Coast, including editions in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Reno, Solano County, Stockton, and Sacramento. This expansion established The Observer as a prominent regional voice and a model for excellence in reaching the Black consumer.

The newspaper has been recognized extensively for its journalistic and editorial achievements. The John B. Russwurm Trophy, awarded by the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) as the nation’s top Black newspaper, has been conferred upon The Observer eight times, most recently in 2025. In addition to this highest national honor, the publication has received local and regional accolades for excellence in journalism, business, and civic leadership. Collectively, The Observer has received more than 800 awards for its journalism excellence and community service. 

These awards reflect a consistent commitment to both reporting and public service, affirming The Observer’s role as a benchmark in the Black Press.

Beyond reporting, The Observer consistently engages with the community through signature events and initiatives. From large-scale events attracting thousands to more intimate award recognition tributes, The Observer continues to illustrate its ongoing commitment to elevating achievement and fostering opportunity within the communities it serves.

Under the leadership of Larry Lee, President and Publisher of The Observer Media Group, the organization has embraced the digital era and multimedia storytelling. The Observer now produces video content, livestreams community events, and delivers reporting through its flagship website, SacObserver.com, providing comprehensive coverage of local, state, and regional news, as well as business, health, education, culture, and politics. The digital transformation has allowed The Observer to expand its services to its audience, reaching the Black community through a variety of mediums while maintaining the depth and perspective that has always defined its mission.

The organization is also a leading participant in collaborative journalism initiatives, including Word In Black, a national consortium of Black publishers dedicated to addressing inequities and elevating the Black experience through shared reporting, and Solving Sacramento, a local effort focused on identifying and addressing the region’s most pressing social, economic, and civic challenges. These collaborations allow The Observer to extend its impact, amplify underrepresented voices, and provide solutions-oriented coverage on issues critical to its audience.

From its founding to its present-day operation as a multimedia news organization and community institution, The Observer continues to operate guided by its founding principles of integrity, innovation, and service. Its history of service, record of awards, and ongoing evolution into digital, multimedia, and collaborative local news efforts position The Observer not only as a trusted source for local information but also as a forward-looking news organization committed to documenting and amplifying the experiences, challenges, and accomplishments of the community it serves.