We at The Austin Times would like to take this time to share a few things about Joyce. The Austin Times started in December of 1997. My partner and I were new to the city and didn’t know anyone. But that quickly changed when we met an art gallery owner named Joyce Hunt. When we met Joyce things seemed to accelerate. Joyce was a major player in the community. She knew everyone and seemingly everything about Austin especially the minority community. After knowing her 16 years , that never changed.
As the owner of a small business, we have had our share of ups and downs here at the paper. Joyce was our biggest supporter. Her support was unwavering. She purchased advertising. She offered us story ideas and she gave out and promoted our publication more than anyone. She was even stronger supporter of our special editions, MLK, anniversary and she worked with us on the Obama commemorative issue. She would always greet us at the door when we delivered the weekly edition. While servicing her customers, she would stuff their bag with a copy of our paper and say “Here’s a great community paper.” Even after 15 years of publishing she would refer to our paper as the new community paper.
I admired Joyce and I admired here as a business person. She had a marvelous energy and passion. Not only was she passionate about her work, she was just as passionate about her causes. She wore many hats but none as important as the work she did with Mothers Against Drunk Drivers. Anyone who knew her knew of her remarkable love for her son Mitchie. I remember her working 16 hour long days all while caring for him. Several times I stayed after just to help her carry him to her car late at night. But that’s something any parent would do, yet I marveled at her strength.
I will miss her in many ways. I will miss her eagerness to tell me how to do my job. I will miss her calls asking me “have you heard about…”, I’ll miss her strong person. I’ll miss my friend Joyce.
A few years ago I had a birthday party and get together at my home with a few close friends. Joyce and her husband showed up and we had a great time. We sat on the patio and had a lovely evening. That may not seem all that important to you, but if you knew me and how little I socialize, you would know that was a big deal. Just another wonderful memory I will have of Joyce.
Joyce was a warrior. If any of us is going to be successful, we will need a little of Joyce Hunt Adejumo in us.
By Sedric Walker
Publisher, The Austin Times
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