The Chicago broadcasting community lost an iconic and legendary journalist as it was announced that Harry Porterfield, Jr. passed away on Monday morning after a brief illness. He was 95 years old. His family announced that he died of natural causes, surrounded by loved ones in Munster.
Porterfield, Jr. was born on August 29, 1928, in Saginaw, Michigan. He embarked on a career in radio and television in Michigan, initially working as a stagehand for television productions and later reporting on the news.
He began his broadcasting career in Chicago at WBBM in 1964, where he dedicated 21 years of his professional life. In 1985, he transitioned to WLS-TV and continued to make an indelible mark on the Chicago media landscape for another 24 years. He later returned to WBBM in 2009 and retired from the world of broadcasting in 2015, at the age of 87.
Throughout his long and distinguished career, Porterfield contributed significantly to the field of journalism. He was best known for his decades-long segment titled “Someone You Should Know,” in which he told the unique stories of thousands of community members. This feature showcased his extraordinary impact on the Chicagoland region and beyond, where he uncovered remarkable tales of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
One of the notable episodes in Porterfield’s career was his role as the anchor for the Saturday weekend news at WBBM, where the newsroom had a small staff and limited stories to cover. In response to this challenge, the concept of “Someone You Should Know” was born, as a way to hold and save stories for the weekend, particularly on Saturdays.
The name “Someone You Should Know” might have sounded unconventional, but it perfectly encapsulated the essence of Porterfield’s mission to highlight the unsung heroes in the community.
Porterfield’s departure from WBBM had a significant impact. As the best-known African American face anchoring a Chicago newscast at the time, his exit from the station prompted a boycott against Channel 2. This protest garnered national attention and highlighted the importance of diversity and representation in the field of journalism.
Reflecting on this period, Porterfield expressed humility, acknowledging his role as a catalyst for change despite not being present during the boycott. He remarked, “The first feeling I have is that I’m humbled because I was the focus of this thing, even though I wasn’t there. I was a kind of phantom in all of this. That boycott and there was a boycott there at Channel 2, there was this picket line in front of that station for 10 months. Can you believe it? Ten months… to bring on changes. I wasn’t there, and to think that I was a catalyst for that is really kind of overwhelming.”
Aside from his contributions to journalism, Porterfield was a multifaceted individual. He held a degree in chemistry from Eastern Michigan University and a law degree from DePaul University. He was recognized with numerous awards during his career, including eleven Emmys and the prestigious DuPont Columbia Journalism Award. His humility and dedication to storytelling were evident in his reluctance to discuss these accolades, choosing instead to share his passion for music.
Porterfield began playing the violin at the age of eight and was a proud member of the Chicago Federation of Musicians. He participated in various musical groups, ranging from small ensembles to symphony orchestras. He became a regular performer in the “Do It Yourself Messiah” every year.
Music held a special place in his heart, and he once noted, “So music has always been with me. I remember one of the conductors back home said one time, he said, you know being involved with music is the most civilizing experience you can have. I thought about it, and I thought, ‘You’re right. It does so much. It’s therapeutic. It’s civilizing. It does a lot of things. It makes you whole.'”
Porterfield’s legacy in journalism and his commitment to sharing the stories of ordinary people have left an indelible mark on the Chicago media landscape. His passing is a profound loss, and he will be remembered as an iconic figure in the world of broadcasting.
He was someone we are glad to have known.
ALSO READ: Former Bear-turned-actor Dick Butkus dies
