Reporter Who Integrated 'New York World-Telegram and Sun' Newsroom Dies at 86

By: A noted black journalist who was the first reporter to integrate the newsroom at the old New York World-Telegram and Sun newspaper has died. Dale R. Wright was 86.

Daughter Kimberly Wright-King says her father died at a Bronx nursing home of chronic kidney disease and cardiopulmonary arrest on Dec. 13.

Wright's 10-article series in the early 1960s on the plight of migrant workers won numerous awards and sparked legislative action to improve working conditions. It also was considered among four Pulitzer Prize entries.

Wright also worked as a press secretary to former New York Mayor Edward Koch (kahch) and the late Sen. Jacob K. Javits and Gov. Nelson Rockefeller. He owned and operated public relations firm Dale Wright Associates, serving New York-area black businesses.

Wright is survived by his daughter and a son.