North Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Robert Churchwell, Sr.

"The Jackie Robinson of Journalism"

— 1917 - 2009 —

Robert Churchwell, Sr. Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 13, 2026

1. Robert Churchwell, Sr. Marker

Inscription.
Born in Clifton, Tenn. Robert Churchwell, Sr., graduated from Pearl High School and then served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He married Mary E. Buckingham, with whom he had five children. A 1949 Fisk University graduate, Churchwell was a columnist for The Commentator, a weekly African American newspaper. In 1950, he became the first African American journalist to write full-time for a daily Southern newspaper when he joined the Nashville Banner.

Enduring workplace racism, Churchwell persisted, against all odds, to enjoy a notable and distinguished career. To honor his contributions to journalism, Churchwell's typewriter and other possessions are on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. In 2010, Metro Nashville Public Schools renamed Wharton Junior High School to honor Churchwell's legacy and his impact on the Nashville community.

Erected 2026 by The Historical Commission of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County. (Marker Number 290.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Communications • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.

Location. 36° 10.55′ N,

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86° 48.563′ W. Marker is in Nashville, Tennessee, in Davidson County. It is in North Nashville. It is at the intersection of Doctor DB Todd Junior Boulevard and Wheless Street, on the left when traveling north on Doctor DB Todd Junior Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1688 Dr DB Todd Jr Blvd, Nashville TN 37208, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Community Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Engine Company No. 11 (approx. ¼ mile away); St. Vincent de Paul Church and School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Meharry Medical College and the United Methodist Church (Worship of God through service to mankind)

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 13, 2026

2. Robert Churchwell, Sr. Marker

(approx. half a mile away); Nashville Student Movement Office (approx. half a mile away); Looby Bombing (approx. half a mile away); Jefferson Street's Rich History (approx. half a mile away); Pearl High Athletics (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Nashville.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 13, 2026

3. Robert Churchwell, Sr. Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 11 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 13, 2026, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.