New book ties hope, democracy and press freedom to Jon Wolman’s legacy

By AI, Created 11:19 AM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Bankole Thompson’s forthcoming book, set for release later in May ahead of World Press Freedom Day, argues that democracy depends on an independent press and elevates the legacy of the late journalist Jonathan P. Wolman through a contribution from his son, Jacob Wolman. The anthology also brings in voices from civil rights, law and faith to press leaders on economic justice, media accountability and structural change.

Why it matters: - Bankole Thompson’s new book makes a direct case that a free press is essential to democracy, accountability and economic justice. - The anthology arrives as World Press Freedom Day approaches and as independent journalism faces mounting pressure. - The book also spotlights Jonathan P. Wolman, a major Detroit and national media figure, and frames his career as a model for civic-minded journalism.

What happened: - Thompson’s forthcoming book, HOPE: On The Mountain Of Fear, is scheduled to be published later in May. - The book centers on hope, economic justice, democracy and a free press. - Jacob Wolman, a San Francisco-based attorney and son of the late Jonathan P. Wolman, is among the contributors. - Jonathan P. Wolman died in 2019. - Wolman previously served as senior vice president, executive editor and Washington bureau chief for The Associated Press. - Wolman also served as publisher and editor of The Detroit News. - Thompson and Jonathan Wolman had a close relationship that extended to Thompson’s family. - In 2015, after Thompson resigned as longtime editor of the Michigan Chronicle, Wolman invited Thompson to write as a twice-weekly opinion columnist for The Detroit News.

The details: - The book includes essays from contributors described as messengers of hope on issues including healthcare affordability, veterans care, historically Black colleges and universities, the state of the news media and the housing crisis. - The anthology argues that without accountability there is no justice, and without truth there is no democracy. - Jacob Wolman’s contribution focuses on his father’s legacy as a champion of democracy, accountability, civic trust and the public good. - The book draws on a tradition of truth-telling associated with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, James Baldwin and Maya Angelou. - Thompson says the book challenges leaders in government, academia, business and media to move past symbolic support for equity and toward structural action. - Steny Hoyer endorsed the book and said Congress and the country should read it. - Hoyer said Thompson points to “the path of solidarity, democracy, and hope.” - Sister Simone Campbell wrote the foreword. - Campbell said hope can connect people through community and that everyone must do “some thing” to help. - Marc Morial wrote the epilogue. - Morial called Thompson an “award-winning journalist and public thinker” and described the book as a “groundbreaking anthology.” - Morial said the book is a call to courage, conviction and collective purpose. - Erwin Chemerinsky endorsed the book and said the essays offer a blueprint for a future with economic justice and meaningful equality of opportunity. - Walter Kimbrough praised the book for addressing housing, criminal justice and mental health while urging readers to “keep hope alive.”

Between the lines: - The book uses Jon Wolman’s legacy to argue that journalism is not just a profession but a civic duty. - Thompson’s framing suggests the fight over media independence is inseparable from broader battles over inequality and democratic legitimacy. - The mix of contributors and endorsers gives the book a cross-sector political, legal, faith and civil-rights reach. - Thompson’s own career background reinforces the book’s central argument because his work has long focused on economic justice, racial equality and poverty. - Thompson is among the first Black editors in the nation to conduct a series of exclusive sit-down interviews with former President Barack Obama. - Thompson founded The PuLSE Institute, a national anti-poverty and economic justice think tank. - Thompson also hosts the podcast Bankole’s Nation and founded The Bankole Thompson Center, a youth leadership initiative chaired by former White House spokesman Robert Weiner. - Thompson is a member of the National Press Club of Washington, D.C. - Thompson authored Fiery Conscience, a book reviewed by Forbes and listed in the Schomburg Center’s Jean Blackwell Hutson Research and Reference Division. - Thompson received the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s Let Freedom Ring Journalism Award in 2018 from Rev. Jesse Jackson. - The University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library established the Bankole Thompson Papers in 2015. - Thompson’s work entered the Congressional Record of the 118th Congress in 2018.

What’s next: - HOPE: On The Mountain Of Fear will be released later in May. - Thompson is positioning the book as a call to action for leaders and readers heading into World Press Freedom Day. - The anthology’s message will likely continue through Thompson’s platform as a columnist, author and media voice.

The bottom line: - Thompson is using Jon Wolman’s legacy and a broad set of voices to make one argument: hope requires action, and democracy cannot survive without an independent press.