Raymond H. Boone Sr., former professor of journalism at Howard University and the founder of the Richmond Free Press, died earlier this month at the age of 76. He had been suffering from pancreatic cancer. He continued to work at the newspaper until the time of his death.
Gracie Lawson-Borders, dean of the School of Communications at Howard University, stated, “We are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Ray Boone, publisher, editor and teacher, who had a profound impact on the Black press, and the national media, using the printed word to convey vital information in the lives of African Americans.”
Boone taught at Howard from 1983 to 1992. He held a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Boston University and a master’s degree in political science from Howard University.