Mark Tyler
Founder
Mark Tyler graduated from Atlantic City High School and went on to Columbia Union College, in Takoma Park, MD, which is now Washington Adventist University.
Mark earned a BA degree in Journalism. His major was Journalism/Publications. His minor was Communications. Upon graduation, he accepted a three-month internship with his hometown paper The Press of Atlantic City. That three-month internship was extended to six months and in the fifth month he was hired as a professional Staff Writer.
Mark worked as a Staff Writer for The Press for approximately six years before also being given responsibilities as a Weekend Assignment Coordinator.
During his 10 years at The Press, he won the following awards:
New Jersey Press Association Better Newspaper Contest
Responsible Journalism First Amendment
(The Art Weissman Memorial Award)
Local School Boards Rack Up Travel Expenses
3rd Place, Daily over 60,000
2002
New Jersey Press Association Better Newspaper Contest
Reporting and Writing, Community Home Run Award
Her Kitchen Long on Love, Short on Funds
3rd Place, Daily Over 60,000
2002
Garden State Association of Black Journalists
Features Award
Big Ben
2nd Place, Daily Over 60,000
1998
Mark prides himself on upholding the highest standards of journalistic integrity and has been working tirelessly to make this website a respected source for local news, events, business listings and discussion!
RELIGION
Mark has been a life-long Seventh-day Adventist Christian. He observes the Sabbath from sunset on Friday evening until sunset on Saturday evening so if you reach out to him and he doesn’t respond immediately please don’t be offended. He is observing his faith.
Stories by Mark Tyler
- NEWS
New Jersey responding well to new immigration crisis
With some 50,000 immigrants and asylum-seekers arriving to the New York and New Jersey areas, the NJ Office of New Americans helps people access services.
- NEWS
Bader Field redevelopment plan takes first steps
DEEM Enterprises, LLC, represented by local attorney Daniel J. Gallagher, plans to build a $3.3 billion project that includes a racetrack, residential housing along with retail and commercial development.
- NEWS
AC mayor celebrated by statewide African American Chamber of Commerce
The AACCNJ honors individuals throughout the state who have attained a high level of success in politics and other categories.
- BLACK HISTORY & CULTURE
Atlantic City Focus salutes: Phylicia Rashad
Best known for her role as Clair Huxtable on the late 1980s sitcom, The Cosby Show, Rashad who is the Dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University, discussed the importance of believing in omnipresence, tapping into the love that resides in everyone and the importance of educating the next generation.
- BLACK HISTORY & CULTURE
Atlantic City Focus salutes: Nikki Giovanni
Nikki Giovanni spoke before a packed house at the Wilmington Public Library on Wednesday, Feb. 1, to kick off Black History Month during the Voices of Power Series.
- NEWS
AC wins $200K grant for road safety improvements
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the funds are part of an $800 million announcement made on Feb. 1, that includes 510 projects across the country ranging from sidewalk and crosswalk improvements to redesigned roads.
- NEWS
State gives AC $759K to plant Trees
The NJDEP awarded $24.3 million through the Natural Climate Solutions Grant program on Jan. 18, funding projects across the state.
- NEWS
Mayor Small shares big plans for AC
Mayor Marty Small, Sr. plans to transform the way the city provides tax relief, handles policing, cleanliness and youth and seniors programming. Small also said he wants to see Bader Field become a “multi-industry site” that more than doubles the city’s ratable base.
- NEWS
AC woman becomes first female to lead Public Works Department
Crystal Lewis became the resort’s first female Director of the Department of Public Works on Jan. 5, in a ceremony at the Public Works yard.
- NEWS
AC woman collects blankets for homeless
Kendall Bunch partnered with the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, secured a corporate donation from Walmart and is asking family, friends and anyone willing to contribute to the A Blanket of Hope drive.
- NEWS
HUD details plans to fight homelessness
The announcements represent a concerted effort by the President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris administration to address the issue.
- BLACK HISTORY & CULTURE
Atlantic City Focus salutes: “Lucy”
Lucy’s Chest: Legacy of South Jersey’s Last Slave” tells her story in an exhibit at the African American Heritage Museum of Southern New Jersey until the end of 2022.
- BLACK HISTORY & CULTURE
Atlantic City Free Public Library unveils online African American History Archive
The City of Dreams: The Atlantic City Experience has archived tens of thousands of photos and videos, audio files and documents that tell the story of African American life including everything from nightlife to churches, social clubs and politics.
- NEWS
AC man marks running 1,000 days straight
Al Taliaferro Jr. is a member of the South New Jersey chapter of Black Men Run, an international running club with health-conscious members in 29 states, Europe, and Japan.
- ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
South Jersey Cultural Alliance hosts pop-up Negro League exhibit welcoming August Wilson’s Fences to Stockton
The National Players, which prides itself on being the nation’s longest running touring company based in Olney, MD, presented the production by arrangement with Concordtheatricals.com on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
- BLACK HISTORY & CULTURE
Atlantic City Focus salutes Tommy Davidson: From In Living Color to Living In Color comedian talks life, love and race
Tommy Davidson, best known for his work on In Living Color — the early 1990s sketch comedy series — spoke at the Wilmington Public Library to promote his new book Living in Color.
- BLACK HISTORY & CULTURE
Judge Joe Brown and Michael Eric Dyson talk politics before mid-term elections
Education, voter suppression and the Black Lives Matter movement were just a few of the topics they addressed.
- NEWS
Resort receives credit rating upgrade
Generally, the higher a municipality’s credit rating, the less it will pay in interest to borrow money for long-term investments such as road improvements and infrastructure projects. The lower the credit rating, the higher the interest to pay off bonds, which translates into fewer available funds for important programs.
- BLACK HISTORY & CULTURE
Atlantic City Focus salutes: Pam Grier
The iconic female action hero known best for 1970s films such as “Coffy,” “Foxy Brown,” and “Sheba Baby”makes humanitarianism her new heroine focus.
- ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Ashanti encourages children to embrace their name, story
My Name is a Story is a picture book designed to motivate children.
- BUSINESS
Veteran educator takes knowledge from school to bookstore
Darren Palmer, who has worked in Pleasantville, Egg Harbor Township, Vineland and Mays Landing public schools, hopes to inspire visitors to learn more about unique overlooked stories.
- NEWS
Law enforcement, civic leaders walk neighborhoods to promote understanding
The community walk, which has been held for seven years, is designed to improve community relations.
- NEWS
This is Power! NAACP 113th Annual Convention Comes to Atlantic City
Vice President Kamala Harris gives NAACP Convention keynote Address
- BUSINESS
Small Business Academy helps turn dreams to reality
The 10-week program is a partnership between the City of Atlantic City and the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey.
- NEWS
Acting Attorney General addresses NextGen class at NAACP Convention
The NAACP NextGen Leadership program celebrated its graduating classes of 2019 and 2020 during the 113th annual NAACP Convention in Atlantic City.
- ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Hip-Hop Alliance joins forces with SAG-AFRTA
Chuck D., of legendary group Public Enemy, said the idea of Hip-Hop artists unionizing was born some 15 years ago, but it never took shape.
- NEWS
Housing Secretary to clear path to affordable home ownership
U.S. Housing Secretary Marcia Fudge talks equity in Atlantic City
- NEWS
NAACP, NOBLE teach traffic stop etiquette
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Officials hosted a special information session here at St. James African Methodist Episcopal. Church during the 113th annual NAACP Convention.
- NEWS
NAACP Convention comes to Atlantic City
The 113th NAACP Convention is expected to bring 5000 people to the resort
- NEWS
Special Olympics helps kids win at life, not just sports
Dr. Patrice Dawson, whose son spencer won a silver medal at the Special Olympics New Jersey 2022 Summer Games, recently sat down with Atlantic City Focus to talk about raising a child with autism and winning at life, not just sports.
- ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Native Son wins DJ of the Year
Atlantic City native DJ Ill Nino has been voted Fleet DJ's Mixshow Dj of the Year
- BUSINESS
Café owners expand feeding to the community
Café owners Al "Bam" Lewis and Andre Murphy fight food insecurity through community feeding tour.
- RELIGION
Congregation moves from one historic church to another
Bishop Charles Lyles and Victory First Presbyterian Deliverance Church say farewell to its historic location at 1013 Pacific Ave.
Atlantic City Focus
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