Gerald M. Boyd: Thanks

Gerald M. Boyd (center) with former NYABJ President Errol Cockfield (left) and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at the 2002 NYABJ Awards Dinner at Columbia University.

Photo Copyright 2006, Robert S. Anthony, Stadium Circle Features


Thanks Gerald. I think that's the best thing I can say to someone who worked so selflessly to help others. The passing of former New York Times Managing Editor Gerald M. Boyd on Thanksgiving Day leaves a major void in newspaper journalism.
Gerald is on my personal "Never Thought I'd See The Day" list. Just as I never thought I'd see the day when a black person would serve as mayor of New York City, lead a National Football League team to the Super Bowl or serve as a NASA astronaut, I never thought I'd see the day when a black man would help lead one of New York City's major dailies. Thanks for scratching a line off my list Gerald.

I serve as parliamentarian--the keeper of the bylaws--for the New York Association of Black Journalists (NYABJ). One bylaw states that the NYABJ shall "Work to expand opportunities for black journalists in managerial and supervisory positions." Few people worked to this end with more dedication and fervor than Gerald.
Then again, if you needed someone to "hook you up" with a good job at the Times, Gerald was not the person to see. He had no time for those bereft of talent or devoid of dedication. If you came to him with a proven track record and the desire to put in a 110 per cent effort to be accurate and fair with your work, he'd lend an ear and offer some honest advice.
I'll let others who knew him better write the longer accolades. For now, I'll just say thanks. But Gerald, if you find yourself in a position to edit St. Peter's master list...