Bakewell Family to Purchase LA Watts Times

Publishers Celebrate Historic Change. Melanie Polk and Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. (Photo Credit: Brittani Tilford)

Brandon I. Brooks
Entertainment Editor

Publishers of two of Los Angeles' most historic Black newspapers, Danny Bakewell, Sr., Publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel and Melanie Polk, Publisher of the L.A. Watts Times announced that they are in the final stages of an exclusive negotiation for Bakewell Media to purchase the L.A. Watts Times. Los Angeles Sentinel Publisher and Chairman of Bakewell Media, Danny Bakewell, Sr. said, "I am proud and honored that Melanie chose me and my family to continue the great legacy of the Watts Times, its founders and her parents. We thank and applaud her for the great work she has done in making this newspaper one of Black L.A.'s finest."

Melanie Polk, publisher of the LA Watts Times said, "The L.A. Watts Times has been a part of my life since I was very young and while it is bittersweet for me to move on, it has been my commitment to see that the L.A. Watts Times lives on. Long before Danny Bakewell purchased the Los Angeles Sentinel, he demonstrated his love and commitment for the Black press. Having witnessed and benefited from his work on our behalf, I am confident he will carry the L.A. Watts Times to new heights for our community and advertisers alike."

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