Karanja A. Ajanaku was named Executive Editor of The New Tri-State Defender in June of 2007, becoming Associate Publisher in 2018. A veteran journalist with 44 years of experience, including 26 ½ years at The Commercial Appeal, he is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia (1977). Born April 26, 1955 in Natchitoches, La., he grew up in Kansas City, Mo. Prior to September 1986, he was known by the name Leroy Williams Jr. He earned a “grassroots doctorate” from the Greater Works Biblical College in Atlanta, with an emphasis on psychosocial research, the phenomenology of slavery. In conjunction with his research, he changed his name to Karanja Aidoo Ajanaku, which means “The guide who puts things in place/sets things in order for free and wealthy people.” He is the father of twins and has three grandchildren.