WHEREAS, On October 28, 2021, Annette John-Hall retired from her work as a journalist after 41 years in the field. In her diverse career, she has covered sports in three cities, interviewed celebrities, written numerous articles, became a podcast host and producer; and
WHEREAS, Annette began covering sports as a student at San Francisco State and became one of the first Black women sports writers, covering high school and college sports for the Oakland Tribune and the NBA for the Rocky Mountain News; and
WHEREAS, Annette won a Pulitzer Prize as part of the San Jose Mercury News team that covered the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989; and
WHEREAS, At her next position, The Philadelphia Inquirer, she produced award-winning work, and worked as a metro columnist where she gained an enormous following
; and
WHEREAS, The influence of her work was substantial, authoring works about issues affecting communities of color and about the campaign and inauguration of President Barack Obama. She was one of 20 Black columnists invited by President Obama to the White House to discuss how to address issues affecting Black communities; and
WHEREAS, As a columnist her passion and understanding for the stories she told was substantial. She took the weeklong Food Stamp Challenge, lived on a weekly food budget of $35 a week, and gained an intimate understanding of how more than 475,000 Philadelphians cope with food deficiency; and
WHEREAS, She was committed to amplifying voices from communities of color, and bringing attention to important issues. She chronicled the plight of a group of African American summer campers who were disinvited from an all-white swim club, harkening back some 50 years ago when racism fueled decisions to drain public pools rather than allow Black people to swim in them; and
WHEREAS, Annette moved to WHYY where she continued to write important articles, and eventually hosted and produced multiple award winning podcasts. She was the host for the Cosby Unraveled podcast, and hosted and produced WHYY podcasts The Why and Real Black History; and
WHEREAS, Annette’s dedication and work has left a distinct impact on journalism in Philadelphia, and will be recognized and honored for years to come; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, This Council hereby recognizes Annette John-Hall on the occasion of her retirement from journalism after a distinguished and celebrated career.
FUTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented Annette John-Hall as evidence of the sincere respect and admiration of this legislative body.
End