Former editor of The Philadelphia Daily News and The Philadelphia Inquirer, Michael Days, participated in a roundtable discussion on the 40th anniversary of the MOVE bombing at The Philadelphia Tribune in May 2025.
Philadelphia City Council honored the life and legacy of pioneer reporter and editor Michael Days on Thursday. Days died on October 18 at the age of 72.
He served as the first Black editor and the last overall editor of the Philadelphia Daily News before its merger with The Philadelphia Inquirer, where he was managing editor from 2011 to 2012. A Roman Catholic graduate, Days worked for both papers from 1986 until his retirement in 2020.
Even after leaving the industry full-time, the NABJ Hall of Famer remained deeply invested in journalism. He helped start the NABJ-Philadelphia chapter in August 2023 and served as its president.
“His resume was extensive and impressive but there was so much more,” said Inquirer reporter and NABJ-Philly’s President Melanie Burney during public comment. “Husband, father, grandfather, brother, mentor, and friend to many. He was a proud son of Philadelphia. He often reminded us he was from North Philadelphia, and the beauty of Michael Days was his ability to make everyone feel special.”
Majority Leader Katherine Gilmore Richardson introduced the resolution on behalf of Council President Kenyatta Johnson. The resolution passed unanimously with a moment of silence.
Inquirer columnist Jenice Armstrong called on NABJ members and working journalists “whose lives have been impacted by Michael Days” to stand during her remarks.
“He was fair, he was compassionate and he was committed, especially committed, to helping underserved communities,” Armstrong said. “Our city is better because of his work at The Daily News and The Inquirer, and I’m better, as a person and a journalist, for having had him as a boss, as editor, mentor, and a friend.”
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https://www.phillytrib.com/news/local_news/philadelphias-city-council-honors-pioneer-journalist-michael-days-with-resolution/article_a9649361-3ae3-4b0b-9fa7-379756d393fc.html