Over the course of his more than 50 years in journalism, George Collins held nearly every position in every type of media outlet. He started his career as a reporter for the Afro American in 1950. When he left in 1968, he was editor-in-chief. That same year, he joined WMAR TV as an anchor. In 1986 he started a public affairs show on WEAA, the NPR member station on the campus of Morgan State University.
Collins covered significant events in the civil rights movement, including the March on Washington, and the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In 2003 Collins was cited by several organizations, including the Smithsonian Institution as “one of the best American journalists of the 20th century.” Last Thursday, George Collins passed away at the age of 88.
As family and friends prepare to lay him to rest this week, we wanted to pause to remember his contributions to the city. Charles Robinson, correspondent for Maryland Public Television, joins SheilahKast in the studio to share his memories of Collins.
There will be a public viewing for George Collins from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Estep Brothers Funeral Services on 1300-1302 N. Eutaw Place in Baltimore. A celebration service will be held tomorrow at 11 a.m. at the New Shiloh Baptist Church on 2100 N. Monroe Street.
More about Collins
Maryland Morning's Tom Hall spoke with Collins in October 2013 about the 1963 death of Hattie Carroll, a 51-year-old woman injured while working as a waitress at a Baltimore ball. Collins covered that story.
You can read an October 14, 1978 issue of the Afro American which detailed Collins' role in 'The Great Route 40 Hoax' here.
