Rosetta Miller-Perry, the founder and publisher of the Tennessee Tribune and a lifelong civil rights advocate, has died at the age of 91.
Miller-Perry passed away on June 26, surrounded by her family. Her death marks the loss of one of Tennessee’s most influential journalists and community leaders. Tributes have poured in from across the state, with many remembering her as a fearless publisher who dedicated her life to giving a voice to the African American community.
Before entering the newspaper business, Miller-Perry spent more than 25 years in public service. She worked with the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and later served with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, helping advance equal opportunities and fight discrimination. She was also a U.S. Navy veteran and among the first Black students to graduate from Memphis State University.
In 1991, after several banks declined to finance her vision, Miller-Perry invested $70,000 of her own savings to launch the Tennessee Tribune. What began as a bold personal investment grew into one of the most respected Black-owned newspapers in Tennessee, covering Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga and Knoxville. Under her leadership, the publication became a trusted source for news, civil rights advocacy, business and community affairs.
Her commitment to empowering the Black community extended far beyond journalism. Miller-Perry founded the Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce and helped establish Nashville’s chapter of Les Gemmes, an organization focused on education, culture and community service. Throughout her career, she remained a passionate supporter of Black-owned businesses and worked tirelessly to ensure that stories often overlooked by mainstream media were told with fairness and dignity.
Following news of her passing, civic leaders, educators and journalists praised Miller-Perry’s extraordinary legacy. Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell described her as a legend, while community leaders remembered her as a trailblazer whose determination opened doors for generations of journalists and entrepreneurs.
Rosetta Miller-Perry leaves behind a legacy built on courage, perseverance and service. Through her newspaper and decades of advocacy, she helped preserve the stories of Tennessee’s Black communities and inspired countless people to use journalism as a force for justice and positive change.