His sister, Christie Love, confirmed the news in a message:
“It is with deep regret to inform everyone that my brother, George passed away earlier today.”
Curry, who graduated from Knoxville College in Tennessee, where he edited the school paper and played football, played a major role in the overnight rise of Emerge magazine—recently, in an effort to address topics relevant to the black community, he had been raising money to relaunch Emerge as an online magazine. From NBC News:
“He also served as editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine in the 1990s, and within the past year, he had been raising money to relaunch Emerge as a digital magazine covering racial injustice and other issues important to the black community.”
“He became the first African-American to be elected president of the American Society of Magazine Editors,” reported NBC News.
Curry was considered to be a “giant in journalism.” His work, in fact, helped open doors for others, and in particular black journalists climbing the ladder.
The HBCU community, and the whole world remembered him on Twitter:
I met George Curry as a student at Howard. He was kind & encouraging to me & my opinionated self. Rest well, sir: https://t.co/yimIbPBlHC
— Michael Arceneaux (@youngsinick) August 22, 2016
#GeorgeCurry was the magazine version of Twitter. He was bold, provocative. Always took on police brutality. pic.twitter.com/bJ2orW6AAi
— Terrell J. Starr (@Russian_Starr) August 21, 2016
I am saddened beyond words upon hearing of the death of George Curry, Publisher of Emerge Magazine. He was a giant and trailblazer. RIP.
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) August 21, 2016
TMCF Mourns the Loss of Longtime Journalist George E. Curry:https://t.co/XHhV1NUG7U pic.twitter.com/cZVQyBAYYP
— TMCF (@tmcf_hbcu) August 22, 2016
He never forgot my birthday because it was the same day (9/8) as his mom’s. This year I will miss receiving his message. #GeorgeCurry
— Margena A. Christian (@DrMargenaXan) August 22, 2016
.@NABJ Mourns the Passing of Longtime Black Press Advocate George E. Curry https://t.co/UWEXqCUqQN @currygeorge pic.twitter.com/eBENx00ghM
— NABJ Headquarters (@NABJ) August 22, 2016
Suffice to say, we all laughed a lot when #GeorgeCurry was in the house. A committed brother who did not lose sight of life & light. RIP
— gwen ifill (@gwenifill) August 21, 2016
Morehouse Professor Marc Lamont Hill said, “George Curry loved us so much. And he gave freely, without worry of reciprocity or reward.”
Lamont added, “He was a hero. This hurts.”
George Curry loved us so much. And he gave freely, without worry of reciprocity or reward. He was a hero. This hurts.
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) August 21, 2016
