Otis Sanford holds the Hardin Chair of Excellence in Economic and Managerial Journalism at the University of Memphis, and is the author of the critically acclaimed new book, “From Boss Crump to King Willie: How Race Changed Memphis Politics.” Sanford also serves as the political analyst and commentator for WATN-TV Local 24 News and is a panelist for Local 24 This Week, a weekly public affairs program. Plus, he writes a weekly Viewpoint column for The Commercial Appeal. Before joining the U of M in 2011, Sanford was editorial page editor and director of the editorial board for The Commercial Appeal, and formerly served as the paper’s managing editor, the first African-American to hold those positions.
