Praise For Mr. Sutton
On the death of Inner City’s Percy Sutton, Sherman K. Kizart, managing director of Kizart Media Partners writes: “I find it interesting how we lose giants in all walks as the old year ends and the new year emerges. The passing of Percy Sutton on last Saturday evening is clearly the example of the loss of a giant.
“Mr. Sutton, as I would reverently, respectfully, and compassionately address him, was one of my great heroes. Mr. Sutton helped to transform the lives of African Americans in politics, civil rights and media. He did it with class, dignity, intelligence, warmth, compassion, wit, humility and a common touch.
"Mr. Sutton, as I would as him a question, (would say): ‘Young man, please call me Brother.’ (But) I couldn't do it even at his gentle and classy direction.
“He and I were members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, and shared a special bond as fraternity brothers. Still, He was Mr. Sutton because he had earned it.
“Mr. Sutton and several investors including Betty Shabazz (widow of Malcolm X) and Jessie Jackson purchased WLIB-AM New York in 1971. It was the first African American owned radio station in New York.
“During the civil rights era, no one stood taller than Mr. Sutton. I listened with great intensity to Pierre (Pepe) Sutton's stories about how Mr. Sutton would load him into the station wagon on many civil rights pilgrimages to Mississippi as African Americans were dying to get basic rights to vote.
“Mr. Sutton went on to serve as the attorney for Malcolm X. He didn't stop there. He served in the state legislature, and he became the Manhattan borough president.
“New York City would not have elected David Dinkins as mayor had there not been a Mr. Percy Sutton to champion his election. He earned the title of Mr. Sutton.
“The National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB as it commonly called) was formed with the guidance and support of Mr. Percy Sutton. Today, NABOB represents the interests of 300 African American radio and television owners.
“Mr. Sutton successfully established Inner City Broadcasting Corporation as one of the premier broadcasting and cable companies in the country. Inner City Broadcasting remains one of the leading African American broadcasting companies with radio stations from New York to San Francisco. He earned the title of Mr. Sutton.
“Among the last times that I had the honor of seeing Mr. Sutton, the Broadcast Foundation presented him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Political heavy weights such as Charles Rangel, chairman of House Ways and Means Committee, and Basil Patterson were in attendance.
“Skip Finley, vice chairman of Inner City Broadcasting, saw me in a photo op with Mr. Sutton, Charles Rangel and Basil Patterson. He said jokingly: ‘You take that picture with these giants, you'd better earn it.” He was right.
“Mr. Sutton earned it a long time ago.”
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