Dori Maynard, an important voice for diversity in the world of journalism – and on a personal level just a dear person – died yesterday at the age of 56. She ran the Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, which was named for her late father. The Institute “promote[s] diversity in the news media through improved coverage, hiring, business practices & training programs that equip journalists with leadership, multimedia skills and subject expertise for news organizations across platforms.” In addition to being path-breaking journalist and one-time owner and publisher of The Oakland Tribune, some of you may remember Dori’s father Robert Maynard as a regular guest on the MacNeil/Lehrer Newshour before his death in 1993.
I can’t help but note that Dori and her father both died at the very premature age of 56. A statement out late this evening from the Institute said that Dori died of lung cancer.
I did not know Dori that well. But we met for coffee on a number of occasions and she helped keep me grounded in what is really important in what we do as journalists and publishers with what I would call a gentle but persistent coaxing.
She was a dear person.