Roanoke Tribune reflects on 86 years of print journalism
He is the son of current Tribune publisher Claudia Whitworth, who took things over in 1971 from her own father, and founder of the paper, Reverend F.E. Alexander.
Hale helped his mother out from the time he was 11 or 12 years old, but it took a little while for the significance of his family's paper to sink in as an adult.
'I had certain friends that kept stressing the importance of the paper to me and I was like, 'Wait a minute. What am I missing?'' said Hale, who has now been with the paper for around 40 years.
In his youth, Hale explored other passions before ultimately being drawn back to the family business.
The oldest and most successful African American-owned newspaper celebrates over 80 years of history
Years later, he said the decision was immensely fulfilling.
'I get a little bummed out because I'm in the news and I'm inundated with it,' he said. 'But I keep thinking, 'It's going to be alright because goodness always rises.''
Hale's grandfather founded the paper in 1939, along with several other publications throughout southwest Virginia.
More than eight decades later, only The Roanoke Tribune remains, and the family's commitment deserves the credit.
'I love these people,' said Hale. 'I mean I do. Because I need them and they are my subsistence. You can't do anything on your own.'
More 'Black History Month' stories on WFXRtv.com
In an increasingly negative world, the Tribune provides a fresh perspective for its readers by highlighting the region's positive moments.
'That's what we do,' said Hale. 'We try to inspire through our little paper with a purpose.'
'We put news that's important as well, but it's mostly good news,' said Tribune volunteer Lee Pierre. 'Positive things that are going on in this area and we need that.'
Pierre interned with the paper while a student at Roanoke College and returned in a volunteer capacity after finishing a career in education.
She believes the paper has survived the test of time because it hasn't lost touch with the area it serves.
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'I think that's why this paper's lasted so long,' she said. 'It reaches out to churches, it reaches out to schools, it reaches out to the elderly who are stuck at home and want to know what's going on with their friends down the street.'
Hale and the Tribune know the world is becoming more digital by the day, and they intend to expand their online footprint.
But the Tribune's roots are firmly planted in paper and ink, and the paper has no intention of abandoning that.
'I know it's a dot com world we're living in,' said Hale. 'But people still call in here when they don't get their paper.'
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