Photojournalist Reflects on 28 Years at The Skanner

As the Black-owned newspaper closes after five decades, Susan Fried shares insights on covering Seattle's African American community.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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After nearly three decades as a photojournalist at The Skanner, a prominent Black-owned newspaper in Seattle, Susan Fried is reflecting on the trust she built with the city's African American community and the unique challenges of her work covering local events and issues.

Why it matters

The Skanner's closure after 50 years marks the end of an era for Seattle's Black community, which has long relied on the newspaper as a trusted source of news and a platform for its voices. Fried's experience provides a window into the importance of representation and relationship-building in journalism, especially for marginalized communities.

The details

Fried was initially hired by The Skanner without any mention of her being white, and her first assignment was to photograph a rehearsal of the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Over the years, she developed a close working relationship with the publishers' daughter, who would send her on various assignments. Fried would then develop the film, print the photos, and drive them to the Greyhound station in downtown Seattle to be sent to the newspaper's Portland office for publication.

  • Fried was hired by The Skanner in the late 1990s.
  • The Skanner had an office in downtown Seattle.
  • Fried would drive the printed photos to the Greyhound station in downtown Seattle, where they would be sent to the newspaper's Portland office.

The players

Susan Fried

A photojournalist who worked at The Skanner for nearly 30 years, covering Seattle's African American community.

The Skanner

A prominent Black-owned newspaper in Seattle that has served the city's African American community for over 50 years.

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What they’re saying

“There was never any mention of me being white. Instead, for my first assignment, she sent me to photograph a rehearsal of the Pacific Northwest Ballet.”

— Susan Fried, Photojournalist (southseattleemerald.org)

“After taking photos, I'd develop the film, print three or four images, and then drive them to the Greyhound station in downtown Seattle — it used to be at Eighth Avenue and Stewart Street — where images would be put on a bus to Portland.”

— Susan Fried, Photojournalist (southseattleemerald.org)

The takeaway

Fried's experience at The Skanner highlights the importance of trust and representation in journalism, especially for marginalized communities. Her long-standing relationship with the newspaper and its publishers' daughter allowed her to build deep connections with Seattle's Black community and provide a valuable perspective through her photographic work.