William Alexander Scott II Statue

Was it courage or foolishness that drove William Alexander Scott II? Here at his statue, we ponder the man who dared to dream of a daily newspaper for Black Atlantans in 1928. The William Alexander Scott II statue commemorates the founder of the Atlanta Daily World. It stands as a testament to his vision, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his tragic demise. William Alexander Scott II, a Morehouse College graduate, saw a void. The Black community in Atlanta, vibrant and growing, lacked a voice that truly represented its triumphs and struggles. Existing papers barely scratched the surface. They often focused on crime or overlooked the richness of Black life altogether. Scott, still in his twenties, launched the Atlanta World. He envisioned a paper that would celebrate Black businesses, educational institutions, churches, and influential figures. He started by publishing business directories, first in Jacksonville, then in Atlanta. This laid the groundwork for his ambitious newspaper project. He started small, with weekly publications. Yet, through tireless effort, door-to-door subscriptions, and the use of newsboys, the paper gained traction. By 1930, the Atlanta World was a respected voice throughout the Deep South. Scott’s ambition didn’t stop there. He sought advertising from both Black and white businesses, a bold move at the time. He even secured ads from Coca-Cola, Sears, Roebuck & Company, and Rich’s, demonstrating his business acumen. The Atlanta World transitioned to a semi-weekly, then tri-weekly publication. It eventually became the Atlanta Daily World in 1932, a groundbreaking achievement. This made it the first successful Black daily newspaper in the United States. This success made Scott a target. In 1934, at the young age of 32, he was tragically murdered in his home. The crime remains unsolved, a somber note in the otherwise inspiring story of the Atlanta Daily World. His legacy, however, lived on through his brother, C. A. Scott. Here, before the William Alexander Scott II statue, we remember not just a newspaperman, but a visionary. He gave a voice to a community. He dared to challenge the status quo. He paved the way for generations of Black journalists and publishers.