The Courier Eco Latino Newspaper Turns 18 Years Old!
When Waine A. Hailes decides he’s going to do something, he does it to its fullest extent without letting anything stop him. Growing up in New Hampshire, Hailes never had plans of starting his own publication, yet he knew something was in store for him. Hailes has always been a hard worker. From humble beginnings at McDonalds to working at the YMCA right here in Columbus, Ga, he has always been committed to service for minorities. Hailes life work begun at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas where the once shy kid, hosted his own radio show. He studied under various majors including biology, youth ministry, until he finally decided on taking business courses to take a job at the YMCA. Unfortunately, the job was no longer available but there was bigger plans for him!
Through being persistent and keeping in touch with his networks he was able to land a job with the YMCA. After a few years and moving to Charlotte, NC he decided to stop working with the YMCA until someone offered him a position in Columbus, GA that he could not refuse! Hailes spent a few years working for the A.J. MCclung YMCA while also working part time at Davis Broadcasting where he has continuously worked for over 30 years. Following his work with the YMCA he decided to take a chance in the sales department for the Ledger Enquirer. Hailes states, “I never sold advertising before but man I was killing it!”. Waine A, Hailes is an exemplary you want it, you will go get it.
With no formal background in journalism and years of experience in sales for the Ledger, he eventually decided to branch off and start his own paper in March of 2004. Hailes saw a need for an educational and informative platform on the Black and minority communities within Columbus, Ga. Through that discovery came “The Courier Eco Latino Newspaper”. This newspaper was created out of Hailes desire to educate people on the real issues that other outlets wouldn’t speak on. Hailes states,” If they were doing wrong, we talked about it, if they were doing right we also talked about that.” Although Hailes had never touched a computer in his life, through the help of friends and collages he has been able to successful complete 18 years in business. Some of his greatest successes throughout the years would include being the only bi-lingual newspaper in the Tri-City area, publishing a weekly publication, serving as the 23rd president of the Columbus Branch NAACP, will soon have the communications building at Ottawa University named after him, and many more! Congratulations to Waine A. Hailes for 18 years in serving the community of Columbus, Ga and the entire Tri- State area.