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Dr. Charles Alexander Simmons Jr. was born on July 26, 1933 in Savannah, Georgia, and passed away on November 5, 2015 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. His final resting place is Temple & Sons Funeral Home. Dr. Simmons was a distinguished academic, military veteran, and author whose life spanned fundamental historical movements in both education and civil rights.
The son of Charles Alexander Simmons Sr. and Lillie Mae Price, Dr. Simmons had one sibling, Edythe Alistar Simmons. He married Alice Simmons and they had one son, Jason Alexander Simmons.
Simmons pursued higher education after completing 26 years of military service. He earned a bachelor's degree (1980) and a masters (1981) from Central State University, now named the University of Central Oklahoma. He earned a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Oklahoma State University in 1995 publishing the doctoral dissertation, "A Comparative Look at Four Black Newspapers and Their Editorial Philosophies During the Eras of the Northern Migration, World War I, World War I, World War II, and the Civil Rights Movement".
Master Sergeant Simmons served in the United States Air Force from 1949 to 1977 until retirement. Over three decades he contributed to National Defense in various capacities including Radio Communications, automated telephonic operator, instructor, and squadron historian.
After military service, Dr. Simmons transitioned into academia, joining the Central State University faculty in fall 1982. He played a pivotal role in the Department of Mass Communications teaching courses in journalism and photography and helped establish several college clubs including Sigma Delta Chi, the Society of Professional Journalists. His influence extended beyond the classroom, as he mentored numerous students during his tenure.
PublicationsIn addition to academic service, Dr. Simmons authored The African American Press, a comprehensive study of the editorial strategies of four prominent African American newspapers—The Chicago Defender, The Pittsburgh Courier, The Jackson Advocate, and The Black Dispatch. His work examined the coverage of Northern and Southern events and movements, focusing on how these newspapers contributed to the African American experience.
Dr. Simmons's life and work impacted journalism, education, African American history, and Indigenous studies. His scholarship and dedication to military and academic service continue to be remembered and honored at the University of Central Oklahoma.
What is value, but the materials, ideas, and physical tolling of one's accomplishments provided in a historical vault for all? That's the Charles Alexander Simmons Jr. Collection at the University of Central Oklahoma Archives & Special Collections, a contribution for future researchers to examine.
Simmons donated valued resources resulting from his passion for journalism that can guide those investigating multiple fields. These include 38 cubic boxes of newspapers, magazines, and published works ranging from 1969-2007. He had an interesting view on journalism and the life of African Americans and Indigenous cultures in America. Like his father, Simmons Jr. worked with the Black Press at The Savannah Tribune and Savannah Herald, writing what readers needed to understand on behalf of minorities living in Georgia.
From an early age, Chuck was driven by a family legacy of educated writers. As a practicing journalist and reporter at his high school, he described speaking with students, which revealed an honest, down-to-earth perception of the Black community in Savannah. He replied, "I just wrote what people were talking about." Dr. Simmons then joined the United States Air Force and traveled to many stateside and overseas locations including Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Canada. After retiring in 1977, he settled in Oklahoma where he pursued higher education in the field of journalism and began teaching photography and journalism in CSU's Department of Mass Communications. The program was in need of thoughtful consideration at the time, and he accepted the challenge. As the university transitioned in 1991 from Central State University to the University of Central Oklahoma, Simmons reported on the atmosphere of the college and current events.
In 1995, he published The African American Press with Special Reference to Four Newspapers, 1927-1965. This allowed others to have a rare insight into his experience as a Black man in the United States and his perspective of events affecting African Americans. The book explains the impact of news from four major sources and their reporting styles. UCO students would benefit from studying the experience of a published professor from their community. His collection provides insight into Black History and Indigenous Studies, particularly in Oklahoma.
Though colleagues described him as a quiet man, his archive allows for a glance into his mind and illustrates his persona. To learn more about Dr. Charles A. Simmons, start at the UCO Archive & Special Collections on the second floor of Max Chambers Library. Ask to see Dr. Simmons vertical file and an inventory of his book and periodical collection. You would do well to explore his influence at the University and immerse yourself in the thousands of informational nuggets that call out for additional research by anyone seeking knowledge about 20th century Oklahoma history and the Black Press nationwide.
Dr. Simmons sponsored UCO's chapter of Sigma Delta Chi, the Society of Professional Journalists.
Dr. Simmons discusses publication of The African American Press.
Marc A. Richard is a first-generation college student graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma in Fall 2024 as a member of the Veterans Salute program, the American Indian Association, and PSI Beta Club of Rose State College. The graduate holds an associates in American History and a bachelors degree in General History.
The University of Central Oklahoma recognizes the university's main campus is located on the traditional lands of the Caddo and Wichita people.
View the full Land Acknowledgement.
