Carl Rowan Settles His Suit Against Chicago Sun-Times Newspaper

Jet, Sept 4, 2000

The Chicago Sun-Times recently announced a $250,000 gift for minority scholarships in honor of award-winning nationally syndicated columnist Carl T. Rowan.

The donation resolves a lawsuit which Rowan filed last year against the daily newspaper alleging breach of contract (JET, July 26,1999). Rowan wrote a column for the newspaper for 33 years.

The Sun-Times will give the money to Rowan's Project Excellence, a college scholarship program for Black high school students. The newspaper will also hire two Black student interns during the summers from 2001 through 2004, according to a story in the Sun-Times.

Rowan said in the Sun-Times story: "I am pleased with the settlement and delighted that the Sun-Times is an active participant in the campaign for diversity among American newspapers. I am honored that the Sun-Times has created two internships, in my name, that will be for the benefit of African-American journalism students and will be making a substantial contribution for the next several years to Project Excellence. Many youngsters will benefit greatly from this agreement, and I am happy the case is resolved."

Michael Cooke, editor-in-chief of the Sun-Times, stated: "We would rather salute Carl than litigate with him. We want to remember him positively for his historic, barrier-breaking career and to help African-American students at the same time."