Alesia Woolridge continues to make history as one of the few African American newspaper publishers in Texas.
She first made history in 2014 when she became the first African American Managing Editor of The Eagle Lake Headlight.
Eagle Lake is located in Colorado County, about an hour west of Houston.
The newspaper dates back to the 1890s.
Woolridge served as Managing Editor there until February 2016, when she accepted the same position at The Colorado County Citizen in Columbus.
She was the first African American Managing Editor there as well.
The Colorado County Citizen started publishing in 1857.
Woolridge purchased The Eagle Lake Headlight in August 2017 and became the first African American newspaper publisher in Colorado County.
That purchase also made her one of only a handful of African American newspaper publishers in the state who is not producing niche content geared toward the African American community.
In June 2020, Woolridge made history again when she returned to The Colorado County Citizen to serve as publisher.
She was the first African American to lead the county’s newspaper in its 163-year history.
“I’m the first, but I won’t be the last,” Woolridge said. “I will continue to do my best to make The Citizen the most diverse, inclusive news sources in this county, region and state.”
Woolridge is an award-winning writer.
She has won several journalism awards from the Texas Press Association, among other organizations.
She continues to serve her community through her leadership at The Citizen.
Woolridge also serves as a Fine Arts volunteer and mentor for cadets at the Rice Campus of Texas Challenge Academy.
She also volunteers with a journalism class at Rice High School. There, she mentors students on the importance of effective communication skills, telling stories with photography and finding their voice through writing.
Woolridge publishes weekly columns written by TCA cadets in The Citizen.
Her work with TCA helping students once at risk of dropping out of school discover a love for reading and writing has earned her local and statewide recognition.
According to Woolridge, the TCA campus unique in its relationship with their local newspaper.