HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — In a visit that blended history, family, journalism and politics, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Doug Jones spent part of Wednesday, July 29, at the offices of Speakin’ Out News, where he met with Publisher William D. Smothers, family members and staff for a wide-ranging conversation about Alabama’s future and the enduring role of the Black Press.
Jones was welcomed by Smothers, founder and publisher of North Alabama’s longest-running African American newspaper, now celebrating 46 years of continuous publication. The gathering served as both a campaign stop and a personal opportunity for Jones to learn more about the publication’s remarkable legacy and the family that has helped sustain it for nearly five decades.
During the visit, Smothers introduced the people who have helped shape Speakin’ Out News into one of Alabama’s most recognized African American publications.
Among those introduced were Jemeana Smothers-Roberson, associate publisher and managing editor, who led the newspaper’s transformation from traditional print production to a modern digital publication, dramatically expanding its reach. Today, the newspaper serves approximately 33,000 subscribers and has published more than 2,431 editions, growing from a publication once produced on a kitchen table in Decatur into an established media organization headquartered on Sparkman Drive in Huntsville.
Jones also met Mr. Smothers’ wife, Dr. Deloris Smothers; Knegleshia Smothers-Cobb, the newspaper’s chief financial officer, Director of Dual Enrollment at Drake State Community and Technical College and a doctoral student; Lee Parker, a Vietnam veteran and Senior Sales Executive; Genevia Hughes, database manager; Portia Orr, office manager; Shelly Williams, photographer and circulation manager; and Zoie D. Roberson, community liason and founder of The Human Ledger, a foreign affairs agency based in Washington, D.C. and Huntsville, Alabama.
Throughout the conversation, Smothers reflected on the newspaper’s humble beginnings in September 1980, when he launched Speakin’ Out Magazine with just $797, and on how he evolved it into the weekly newspaper that has become a trusted voice throughout North Alabama.
The discussion soon shifted from history to public policy.
Jones addressed what he described as one of Alabama’s most urgent challenges — the continuing closure of rural hospitals. He said more than a dozen hospitals have closed or significantly reduced services over the past decade, while many others remain financially vulnerable.
According to Jones, expanding Medicaid remains the most effective strategy for preserving rural healthcare and strengthening local economies. He argued that Alabama’s current Medicaid eligibility standards leave many working families without access to affordable healthcare and that additional federal funding could help stabilize struggling hospitals across the state.
Jones also discussed his ability to work across party lines, citing his tenure in the U.S. Senate, where he said he passed bipartisan legislation despite serving in a Republican-controlled Congress. If elected governor, he said he intends to work cooperatively with the Republican-majority Legislature while encouraging lawmakers from both parties to support policies benefiting all Alabamians.
The conversation also explored the rapid growth of data centers throughout Alabama. Jones said he favors a temporary pause on additional large-scale developments until local governments have adequate zoning regulations and infrastructure planning in place to manage continued expansion responsibly.
As the interview concluded, the discussion returned to the importance of civic engagement, public service and preserving the history of leaders who helped shape Alabama and the nation. Smothers reflected on his encounters through the years with influential figures including Rosa Parks, John Lewis, former Governors Guy Hunt, Don Siegelman and George Wallace, former Huntsville Mayor Steve Hettinger, former Birmingham Mayor Richard Arrington Jr., and former Decatur Mayor Bill Dukes, emphasizing the responsibility of future generations to continue the work of civic education and community leadership.
For Smothers, the meeting represented more than a political interview. It reflected nearly half a century of journalism dedicated to informing, educating and advocating for North Alabama’s African American community.
As Alabama’s 2026 gubernatorial campaign continues, Speakin’ Out News remains committed to providing readers with direct access to candidates and the issues shaping the state’s future.
