Ira F. Lewis

Ira Foster Lewis was an American sportswriter, executive editor, president, and business manager of the Pittsburgh Courier. He was involved in the Double V campaign to grant full citizenship rights to African American soldiers serving in World War II and helped integrate major league baseball.

Early life

Lewis was born in Lexington, North Carolina on August 25, 1883. He studied at Biddle Academy for one year.

Career

Along with Robert L. Vann and Bill Nunn, he helped lead the Pittsburgh Courier.
He was a leader in the National Negro Publishers Association. In 1937 he corresponded with W. E. B. Du Bois.
Lewis was photographed with his family in Homewood by Charles "Teenie" Harris.