Word In Black Named Ed Graves Chief Executive Officer

The media collaborative has appointed the veteran publisher to lead its next phase of organizational growth.

Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in People

Word In Black Named Ed Graves Chief Executive Officer

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Word In Black has appointed Ed Graves as its new chief executive officer to oversee the organization's expansion. Graves transitions to the role as the collaborative enters a new phase focused on sustainable revenue and partnership opportunities.

Why it matters

The organization is seeking to build on its foundations to increase its influence and reach within the media landscape. Graves will lead efforts to grow the publisher affiliate network while launching new research and event initiatives.

Word In Black maintains a network of 10 publishing partners. The organization has also reported three consecutive years of advertising revenue growth.

The players

Ed Graves

He is the newly appointed CEO of Word In Black who previously served as the leader of New Mexico Magazine and held executive roles at GateHouse Media and The Jackson Sun.

Word In Black

This is a collaborative media organization founded in 2021 that consists of 10 Black publishing partners focused on sustainable revenue and partnership development.

The details

Graves will work alongside the board of directors and staff to strengthen existing partnerships and develop new sustainable revenue models. He brings two decades of media leadership experience to the role, including past positions at New Mexico Magazine, GateHouse Media, and The Jackson Sun.

Word In Black launched as a media collaborative in 2021.
New Mexico Magazine received the 2024 Magazine of the Year award.
Ed Graves was officially appointed as CEO in October 2026.

Market Landscape

This leadership change reflects the broader trend of independent news organizations consolidating resources to improve long-term viability. By expanding its affiliate network, Word In Black aims to solidify its position against larger, traditional media competitors.

Readers can expect to see an expanded network of publishers and new research projects emerging from the organization under this new leadership. These changes are designed to stabilize the business model and improve the quality of reporting provided to the public.

The takeaway

The appointment of a veteran publisher signals a strategic pivot toward professionalized management and sustainable fiscal growth. Such leadership transitions are critical for independent media groups looking to scale operations while maintaining their core editorial missions.