Background
Payne, Leslie was born on July 12, 1941 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States. Son of Thomas and Josephine Payne.
columnist journalist newspaper editor author
Payne, Leslie was born on July 12, 1941 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States. Son of Thomas and Josephine Payne.
Bachelor, University Connecticut, 1964. Doctor of Letters (honorary), University Connecticut, 2003. Degree (honorary), Medgar Evers College.
Degree (honorary), Long Island University.
Reporter Newsday, Melville, New York, 1969-1973, copy editor, magazine editor, 1973, minority affairs specialist, 1974-1977, national correspondent, 1977-1981, national editor, 1981-1985, assistant managing editor, associate managing editor, 2000—2001, deputy managing editor for national, science, and international news, 2001—2003, New York editor, since 2003. Columnist Tribune Media Services. Judge Pulitzer Prize Selection Committee, 1983, 84, 2000 Emmy Blue-Ribbon Panel, Academy television Arts and Sciences, 1981, 82, 96.
Inaugural professor for the David Laventhol Chair, Columbia University Graduate School Journalism, 1998. Has appeared on numerous television and radio shows.
Served to captain United States Army, 1963-1969. Member National Association Black Journalists (president 1981-1983, Commentary Award, 1987, 88), Committee to Protect Journalists, International Press Institute.
Married Violet S. Cameron. Children: Tamara Olympia, Jamal Kenyatta, Haile K.