• by Ray Schultz , January 16, 2023

Rochell Sleets is leaving her post as co-news director of the Chicago Tribune to become managing editor of Long Island newspaper Newsday. 

Sleets has served at the Tribune for 16 years, starting as a design editor and taking on her current role in 2020. 

“It was a really difficult decision,” said Sleets, according to the Tribune. “I’ve broken history here as the first Black person to be news director. To have that opportunity to be able to make that impact in a beautiful, complicated city, I don’t take for granted.”

Sleets produced live COVID-19 Facebook events with medical experts, increased coverage of Black and Latino communities, and promoted diversity and inclusion within the newsroom, the Tribune reports. 

“Obviously, it is disappointing to see such a talented journalist and passionate leader leave our newsroom,” Mitch Pugh, executive editor of the Tribune, said in a memo to employees. “Rochell’s influence on the Tribune has been profound.”

Sleet’s new job starts on Feb. 27. Her last day at the Tribune will be Jan. 20. A New Jersey native, Sleets and her husband will be moving to Long Island. 

The Tribune’s former parent, Tribune Co., owned Newsday until selling it to Cablevision in 2008 for $650 million. The paper is now owned by Patrick Dolan.