Mitchell, John, Jr (1863–1929)

US publisher and banker. Editor of the Planet, a Richmond newspaper started by 13 former slaves, until 1929, Mitchell used the newspaper to attack the race question, and made it one of the few successful black American newspapers of its time.

Born in Laburnam, Virginia, he left high school in 1880 and taught until he and several others were dismissed for protesting in the Planet, the expected dismissal of several black American principals (1884). Mitchell became editor and manager of the paper for which he organized the Planet Printing Company. After a creditor's suit and sale of the newspaper for $400 to a friend, the newspaper was turned over to Mitchell. In 1890 he entered politics, becoming political boss of the black American section of Richmond (Jackson Ward) and prominent in the Knights of Pythias (a parallel organization to the white one bearing the same name) and its related orders (1898–1929). Then, in a move around which there is considerable mystery, in 1899 or 1900, he abdicated his position among black Americans and began supporting his white associates. In 1902 he founded Mechanics Savings Bank, which failed in 1922 resulting in criminal charges against him that were later dropped. In 1920 he ran for governor of Virginia on an all-black ticket and was defeated.