WILLIAM GARTH, SR. is a dedicated activist leader to the business community and guiding force behind one of the largest Black-owned weekly newspaper chains in the Midwest He began his career in the newspaper business as an advertising salesman under the leadership of former Congressman Gus Savage. In 1980, he purchased the paper from Savage, becoming publisher and CEO of the Chicago Citizen Newspapers Group. He later founded Garthco, Inc. and, in 1995, the QBG Foundation in memory of his youngest son. The Foundation provides scholarships to inner-city students attending universities and colleges around the country. Garth is the first African American to be elected president of the Illinois Press Association, the state's largest newspaper association.

WILLIAM DARRELL GARTH gained hands-on experience in the newspaper business by entering as circulation manager in the early 80s. Quickly moving through the ranks, he became treasurer, chief financial officer and finally in 1997 he was appointed president of the Chicago Citizen Newspapers Group, the company his father heads.