NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Rosetta Miller-Perry, the pioneering founder and publisher of The Tennessee Tribune whose decades of work transformed Black journalism across Tennessee, has died at the age of 91.
Her passing was announced Friday by The Tennessee Tribune, ending a remarkable career that spanned journalism, civil rights advocacy, business leadership, and community service. She passed away peacefully surrounded by family.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Tennessee media, Miller-Perry founded The Tennessee Tribune in 1991 with a mission to ensure Black communities across the state had a trusted voice dedicated to covering issues often overlooked by mainstream media. The publication grew into Tennessee’s only statewide African American newspaper, serving readers in Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville and communities throughout the state.
Throughout her career, Miller-Perry became known as more than a publisher. She was a mentor, entrepreneur, advocate and tireless champion for economic empowerment, education, voting rights and community engagement. She was the founder of the Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce, helped establish Nashville’s chapter of Les Gemmes, and remained a lifelong dedicated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Her leadership and service extended well beyond the newsroom, leaving an enduring impact on civic, business and community organizations throughout Middle Tennessee.
Her contributions earned numerous honors, including the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2019, recognizing her enduring influence on the Black Press and the communities it serves.
For more than three decades, Miller-Perry used the pages of The Tennessee Tribune to highlight stories of achievement, expose injustice, celebrate Black culture and provide a platform for voices that might otherwise have gone unheard. Her leadership also helped launch and mentor the careers of countless journalists, photographers, editors and communications professionals throughout Tennessee.
Her legacy extends well beyond the newspaper she founded. Through her unwavering commitment to truth, representation and service, Rosetta Miller-Perry helped shape the landscape of Black journalism in Tennessee while preserving the stories of communities whose histories deserve to be told.
Funeral arrangements and memorial service information are expected to be announced by the family in the coming days.
Editor’s Note: The publisher and co-owner of The Nashville Voice, Jason Luntz, began his journalism career at The Tennessee Tribune under the mentorship of Rosetta Miller-Perry, where he served as Social Media Director and contributing writer.
