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Denise Rolark Barnes
(As they would like it to appear in both print and online)
Denise Rolark Barnes
(Prefix, Middle, and Suffix where applicable)
Affiliation: The Washington Informer
Title:Publisher
Point of Contact:
(If different from above)
Phone Number: 202-561-4100
Email: [email protected]
Session Name: Resistance and the Black Press (Valerie Maholmes)
Bio:
Denise Rolark Barnes
Publisher
The Washington Informer
Denise Rolark Barnes is the publisher of The Washington Informer, the award-winning weekly newspaper serving the African American community in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. She is a second-generation publisher, succeeding her father, Dr. Calvin W. Rolark, who published the first issue on October 16, 1964.
Under Rolark Barnes’ leadership, The Washington Informer has expanded to an online publication, including a weekly e-newsletter, and a broad social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Additionally, she oversees a staff of nearly 25 full and part-time employees, as well as freelancers who produce monthly issue-oriented special editions on topics including Homeownership, Financial Literacy, Sustainability and the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference issue. Most recently, she launched WI Bridge, a monthly publication targeting millennials that also brings the conversations to life at a WI Bridge All Night video podcast held at notable venues across the District.
Rolark-Barnes also maintains The Washington Informer Charities, a non-profit organization that promotes literacy and sponsors internship opportunities, writing competitions and scholarships for students interested in pursuing careers in journalism. The Washington Informer Charities is the official sponsor of the annual D.C. City-Wide Spelling Bee, and the Prince George’s Spelling Bee. Winners from both represent their respective jurisdictions in the annual Scripps National Spelling Bee.
Rolark Barnes is a dedicated community servant who has launched a variety of local initiatives serving underserved youths in the DC, Maryland and Virginia areas. She coordinated an effort to erect an anti-gang mural project in Southeast, D.C.; as well as a day of social and personal development for girls at Ballou Senior High School called Girl Talk. She re-established the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Peace Walk and Parade in Ward 8 now in its 14th year. She established the Annual Washington Informer African American Heritage Tour that attracts nearly 300 participants each year.
Rolark Barnes serves on the boards of several local non-profit, community and municipal organizations, including the Washington Convention and Sports Authority (Events DC), the DC Martin Luther King Holiday Commission, the Maryland, Delaware, DC Press Association (MDDC), the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the NNPA Foundation, Pan African Collective and Leadership Greater Washington. She is an inductee in the D.C. Hall of Fame, and a recipient of numerous honors and awards.
Rolark-Barnes is a graduate of Howard University where she received a BA degree in journalism and a JD degree from Howard University School of Law. She lives in the District of Columbia with her husband, Lafayette Barnes. They have two adult sons.
Denise Rolark Barnes • The Washington Informer • 3117 MLK Jr. Ave., S.E. • WDC 20032 • (202) 561-4100 [email protected] • www.washingtoninformer.com
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