Elected officials, business leaders and friends remember Fort Worth Black News founder Jill Darden as a community beacon who spotlighted diverse voices.
Darden, 52, suddenly died April 24 鈥� days before her birthday on May 2, her sister Ginger Darden-Ford confirmed to the Report. She declined to share more information on the cause of death.
鈥淢y sister 鈥� she loved her community,鈥� Darden-Ford said. 鈥淪he loved Fort Worth. She loved people.鈥�
Darden founded Fort Worth Black News in 1997 with her mother Chris Lott鈥檚 help to write about community leaders and activities without any particular agendas, she previously said. She was 23 at the time and had recently graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Texas at Arlington.
https://fortworthreport.org/2022/05/10/fort-worth-black-news-owner-publisher-jill-darden-celebrates-25-years/ The newspaper operates with monthly editions . For some time, the business ran as a local cable show in Cowtown before it was cast on the now-closed Urban America Television Network in the 2000s.
In recent years, Darden grew Fort Worth Black News鈥� online presence by using social media to update readers between the hard copy printing.
The newspaper鈥檚 future is not known at this time, her sister said.
Tarrant County Commissioner Roderick Miles Jr. described Darden as a 鈥渢ruth-teller鈥� who used her platform to lift up the people, places, churches, businesses, family and neighborhoods of Fort Worth鈥檚 Black community.
鈥淪he helped Fort Worth see itself more fully,鈥� he . 鈥淪he celebrated our victories, documented our struggles and gave dignity to the everyday lives and contributions of people who make this community strong.鈥�
Darden previously served as director of communications for the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce. She was from the Texas Association of African American Chambers of Commerce in 2023.
Fort Worth Black Chamber President Michelle Green-Ford said her team was shocked by Darden鈥檚 death, but that she will be remembered as being a 鈥渧ibrant force.鈥�
鈥淪he was a bold, articulate leader who saw service to others as her primary goal, that is second to being the number one cheerleader and supporter of her talented son, Jiles, who is a senior at the I.M. Terrell Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts,鈥� Green-Ford said in a statement.
Tarrant County College board member Gwendolyn Morrison said she鈥檒l miss Darden鈥檚 journalistic integrity and the 鈥溾�� videos focused on Christianity that she posted every Sunday on Facebook.
Beyond her newspaper roles, Darden authored several books, including 鈥淭he Assignment: Raising a Strong Child.鈥�
Forest Hill Public Library manager Aurelia Wilson said Darden was a valued supporter who frequently partnered with the library district for author events.
Darden was scheduled to participate in the library鈥檚 second annual author expo on April 18, but was unable to attend 鈥渄ue to illness,鈥� .
鈥淗er legacy will live on through her stories, which will continue to inspire and uplift our community. Her voice will always be treasured,鈥� Wilson wrote.
Memorial service details will be announced at a later date.
David Moreno is the arts and culture reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at david.moreno@fortworthreport.org or .
The Fort Worth Report鈥檚 arts and culture coverage is supported in part by the Meta Alice Keith Bratten Foundation and the Virginia Hobbs Charitable Trust. At the Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy .
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