WHEREAS, Michael I. Days was born and raised in North Philadelphia and graduated from Roman Catholic High School. He later attended the College of the Holy Cross and the University of Missouri; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Days worked as a reporter at the (Louisville) Courier-Journal and the Wall Street Journal before joining the Philadelphia Daily News in 1986. His career blossomed at the Daily News, growing in progressively responsible roles from reporter to Assistant Editor to Managing Editor. In 2005, he was named Editor, becoming the first Black person to lead the newspaper. Under his leadership, the Daily News won dozens of national and state awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting in 2010; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Days was named Managing Editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer in 2011. Five years later, he became Vice President of Reader Engagement, and in 2018, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, where he served until his retirement in 2020; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Days brought a plethora of experience to his new role from his lifetime of mentorship and advocacy for Black journalists. He was a lifetime member of the National Association of Black Journalists and is a member of the NABJ Hall of Fame. He was serving as the inaugural president of NABJ-Philadelphia, the NABJ affiliate chapter, at the time of his death; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Days was additionally a past president of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. He believed in the mission of both NABJ-Philadelphia and PABJ as an advocate for Black journalists, a mentor to emerging journalists and a voice in the community at large; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Days was a pioneering journalist, friend and colleague who was beloved by all who knew him. He was a universally respected leader, defined by his accessibility, directness and sincerity. He was a role model for other Black journalists, showing them how to succeed and thrive in the media; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors the life and legacy of Michael I. Days for his untiring commitment to journalism, his advocacy for diversity in the newsroom and his openness of heart.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to the family of Michael I. Days as a formal acknowledgement and appreciation of his legacy in Philadelphia.
End