Friends and family gathered Monday to honor the life and legacy of one of Philadelphia's most respected journalists.
A memorial service was held for Acel Moore at Grace Baptist Church in Germantown. A burial then took place at Ivy Hill Cemetery.
Moore, a former reporter and columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer who mentored scores of aspiring journalists and helped found local and national organizations that advocate for African-American journalists died at his suburban Philadelphia home on Feb. 12. He was 75.
Moore, a Philadelphia native, served as an Army medic before becoming a copy clerk at the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1962. He then went on to become the first black reporter at the Inquirer, working as an investigative reporter, editorial board member and columnist. During his career, he met Presidents Nixon, Carter and Clinton. He also won the Pulitzer Prize in 1977 for his investigation of inmates at Fairvew State Hospital. He was one of the 44 founders of the National Association of Black Journalists(NABJ) and was also a founding member of the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists(PABJ).
Moore's wife, Linda Wright Moore says her husband was most proud of a high school minority journalism program he started that has given scores of aspiring journalists an introduction to the craft.
Moore retired from the Inquirer in 2005, holding the title of associate editor emeritus.
"I'm heartbroken by the passing of my longtime mentor and friend Acel Moore. He was a counselor and impacted the careers of hundreds of NABJ members. Moore left us a wonderful legacy as a humanitarian, truth seeker, fighter for equal opportunity and trailblazer who opened doors for countless journalists, especially those of color," said NABJ President Sarah Glover. "We will honor his memory by continuing the fight for diversity in all newsrooms now more than ever."
