An
instructor at McLennan Community College in
Waco, Linda Crawford is the co-owner and editor
of the Anchor News. She is a Bible teacher and
motivational speaker. J.L. Crawford, also an
instructor at McLennan Community College, is the
co-owner and administrative assistant of the
Anchor News. He is also a Bible teacher.
The
six-teen page newspaper spotlights individuals,
businesses, and special events and also covers
topics such as health issues and home ownership
education. Distributed in over 300 locations
throughout Waco and Central Texas, the Anchor is
an inexpensive avenue for advertising businesses
and services throughout the area.
We are
dedicated to serving the Central Texas community
and surrounding areas, focusing on positive news
and accomplishments of minorities.
An Anchor in Our Community
By Anna Macias Aguayo
One night last summer, Linda Crawford heard God
speak to her. The message was that she
should restart a newspaper that she once
published with her ex-husband, journalist Larry
Austin, because it would fill a need in the
community. Two nights later, at a Bible
study, a visiting pastor who did not know Linda
Crawford seemed to reveal a prophecy.
“He told me, ‘Sister, the Lord says he told you
to start a business,’” the 47-year-old mother
recalls.
At that point, Crawford , an English instructor at
McLennan Community College, obediently began to
seek training in layout and design. She
had little money, but someone gave her a
1983-model Apple computer that would become a
critical tool for producing The Anchor.
Her daughter, Stasha Austin, a junior at Midway
High School, became associate editor for the
monthly newspaper, and her 27-year-old son, Ray
Austin, became the circulation manager.
The first issue went to press in August 2002.
“The
Anchor
is targeted to the African-American and minority
community in all of Central Texas,” Austin says.
“We try to cover positive, hometown news that
you can’t find in other newspapers.”
Crawford says she doesn’t plan to cover crime,
corruption, or controversy. “Most of the
times when we read about African Americans in
other publications, it’s bad news. I want
people to be able to read positive news about
themselves.”
Crawford says her newspaper, which is distributed
free at more than 100 businesses, is gradually
improving and taking on a more professional
look. Advertisers, like Coca-Cola, are
buying space on The Anchor’s pages.
The publisher knows the public is reading it
because the newspapers fly off the racks and her
phone has not stopped ringing. People are
commenting on stories about religion, health,
education, and features about role models.
The most popular issue featured Jarrod Crawford,
a Waco native who made it to the big screen in
Hollywood.
“I’m getting so much positive feedback,”
Crawford says. “It just blows me away.
I think it’s just timing. I feel
like I’m supposed to do this all the time.”
Azel Cole, a contributing writer for The
Anchor and a San Antonio business owner,
says he thinks Austin’s newspaper strikes a
chord with a huge audience.
“What I like about this newspaper is that it
delivers a message for African Americans at
large. People want to feel a connection.
They want to read positive news. That’s
what makes it completely different from anything
else I’ve read.
“I always distribute copies in San Antonio and
even send some out of state,” Cole says.
It’s just getting started. I think it’s
going to be prevalent all over Texas, at least.”
© 2003 U Magazine
May Issue
