By Samuel P Martin | President and Publisher
It is with both gratitude and a sense of bittersweet reflection to announce the resignation of Barnett Wright, Executive Editor of The Birmingham Times Media Group. After a decade of dedicated service, he has decided to step down from his role effective Feb. 27, 2026 marking the end of a remarkable chapter in the history of our newspaper.
Wright joined The Birmingham Times 10 years ago, embarking on this journey alongside me at a pivotal moment. The newspaper had just changed hands, as the Foundation for Progress and Journalism (now known as the Bronze Valley Foundation) acquired The Birmingham Times from its founder, Dr. Jesse J. Lewis Sr.. This transition of The Times marked the beginning of an era defined by vision, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to journalistic excellence.
Wright brought with him a wealth of experience, over 30 years in the field of journalism, including more than 15 years at Alabama Media Group, which publishes AL.com and had produced The Birmingham News, where he distinguished himself as a leading reporter covering local government. His reputation for thorough, insightful, and fair reporting followed him to our newsroom, instantly raising the standards and expectations for our publication.
He guided the newsroom as The Birmingham Times transitioned from its traditional format to a reimagined, modern publication that both honored its legacy and embraced the future. This evolution was not merely cosmetic; it reflected an understanding of the evolving media landscape and a commitment to telling the stories of Birmingham and its people with integrity and relevance.
During Wright’s time as executive editor, The Birmingham Times earned nearly 80 awards at both the state and national levels, including commendations from the Alabama Press Association (APA), the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), where Wright was a 2023 Salute to Excellence winner in The Newspaper Category.
It has never been our policy to write for awards, but these honors are a testament to his leadership and the gifted reporters, photographers. page designers, copy editors and freelancers in our newsroom and his ability to find compelling stories and nurture the writers who tell them.
Over the last 10 years, our coverage has broadened, bringing attention to a diverse range of topics that reflect the vibrancy and complexity of Birmingham and the surrounding region. He championed in-depth reporting on issues most important to our readers — stories of resilience, progress, and the everyday lives of the people who make our community unique.
Beyond the stories themselves, Wright provided The Times with renewed visibility in the community. He leveraged his community ties to strengthen our relationships with local organizations, leaders, and residents, ensuring the newspaper remained part of the conversation as people sought to understand and navigate it.
He has been a mentor and developer of many young journalists—many fresh out of journalism school—who have worked at The Times over the last 10 years. Wright invested time and expertise in nurturing this next generation of reporters, instilling values of accuracy, fairness, and community service.
As Wright prepares to embark on a new chapter, we extend our heartfelt best wishes and deepest appreciation for his years of leadership. While we will miss his perspective and daily presence in our newsroom, we are confident that his influence will continue to resonate across The Times.
Wright’s impact on The Times is lasting, leaving a legacy of excellence, innovation, and community engagement. Though his official tenure has ended, Wright will remain an integral part of the publication through February 27 and his final issue on March 5.
On behalf of the staff, readers, and the entire community, we thank Barnett for his dedication and wish him every success as he takes the next steps in a new chapter of his career. He will remain a cherished member of The Birmingham Times family.
