The Atlanta Inquirer was founded on July 31, 1960 by Jesse Hill, Herman J. Russell,[1] and various students of the Atlanta Student Movement including Julian Bond, Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Lonnie King, and many other students in the Atlanta University Center.

[4][3] M. Carl Holman, a professor at Clark College, became the editor of the newspaper after the first issue, which had been edited by Bill Strong.

[5][6]The Inquirer reported on black leadership in the civil rights movement in Atlanta.

[5] After being bought by the family of a longtime employee of the paper, John B. Smith Sr., he became the publisher, editor, and chief executive officer of the newspaper until his death in 2017.

The Atlanta Inquirer is also a member of the National Newspaper Association where John B. Smith Sr. was the chairman.