Merrick Washington
Magazine
The Merrick Washington Magazine of African American Culture was founded in 1952. It is published in large print and includes often missed important evergreen articles. We distribute close to 1,000 copies twice a year through a network of distribution partners and it is also available on the DCL website.
Our Recent
Issues
Fall / Winter 2023
Spring / Summer 2023
Summer / Fall 2022
Fall / Winter 2022
About
MW Magazine
The Durham Colored Library became part of the Durham Public Library System with the advent of integration in 1969. At that time, DCL, Inc. re-focused its attention to the Merrick Washington Magazine for the Blind.
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The Merrick Washington Magazine Initiative (MWM) is a publication founded in 1952 that collects and presents news articles relating to African American culture, current events and history to a sight-challenged population. It was founded with those in mind who do not have access to Braille or large-print editions of major publications. We continue to strive to give our readers the independence to read these materials on their own, rather than rely on other people or devices to convey it to them.
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The articles featured in each issue cover everything from American politics to health and are culled from a range of top-notch news sources, including The New York Times, Essence Magazine, and National Geographic Magazine, to name a few. This biannual publication is now available only in large print and is distributed to readers through our distribution partners, both individual and organizational.
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Our target audience demographic includes people who are dealing with disease and medical conditions that affect their eyesight. We also provide copies to nursing homes, healthcare providers, and upper elementary and middle schools whose teachers are using the magazine to enhance reading, history and civics lessons.
Support
MW Magazine
Honoring
Our History
We publish MWM in memory and honor of its founders: Mrs. Lyda Moore Merrick (our founder Dr. Moore’s daughter, who also chaired the DCL, Inc. Board for a number of years) and Mr. John Carter Washington.
We honor all of the civic leaders who have believed in and supported this historic Initiative. In particular, we honor the memory of John H. Wheeler, who in 1969 called together the members of the board and led the decision to bring MWM under the DCL, Inc.'s guidance.
We also honor the memories of Josephine Dobbs Clement, the first editorial board chair under this new arrangement, and the other members of that board: Constance Merrick Watts (Treasurer & daughter of Lyda Moore Merrick and Edward R. Merrick), and W.C. Bennett.
Over the years, many more civic and private organizations have continued to lend their support. We are grateful for their faith and trust.