Gary McLendon

Gary McLendon, City Issues Reporter of the Democrat and Chronicle relocated to Rochester from New York City in 1999. Prior to his current position, he’s held education and suburban reporting positions at the Democrat and Chronicle.

Gary, a graduate of City College in New York has nearly 20 years journalism experience including work for CBS News and the Queens Tribune in New York City, and for black-owned newspapers in New Orleans and Pensacola, Florida.

Gary is a founding member and the current president of the Rochester Association of Black Journalists (RABJ), an affiliate of the National Association of Black Journalists. The chapter received its charter in 2004.

Since then, RABJ and its members have been involved in the Rochester Black community. They have held journalism workshops to instruct youth interested in journalism careers; held forums with community groups to bridge the gap between Rochester media and the Black community; visited city schools introducing journalism to students; sponsored a mayoral candidates debate; assisted city schools in the production of student newspapers; and initiated a scholarship in the name of pioneering Black TV reporter Wyoma Best.

Through Gary’s efforts, RABJ recently launched its first website - RABJ.net. The website was launched to increase communication among members of Rochester’s Black community, and honor the historic legacy of Rochester’s Black journalists. You are invited to visit RABJ.net, and share your thoughts, concerns, and ideas for improving the quality of life in Rochester’s Black community.

Gary strongly believes that self-improvement, cooperation, and communication, are keys to the development of Rochester’s Black community.

Gary is married and the father of one son.