Flo Anthony, first Black Page Six journalist, dies at 74

Flo Anthony, the trailblazing entertainment journalist who became the first Black woman to work for the New York Post’s entertainment and Page Six departments, died Thursday after a long battle with cancer. She was 74. Anthony’s death was confirmed by Jack Hirsch, the biographer of her husband, boxing legend Michael Spinks.

Anthony broke barriers in the late 1970s and early 1980s, a time when newsrooms were overwhelmingly white and male. She joined the New York Post in 1979 as an entertainment reporter, later becoming a fixture at Page Six, where she covered celebrity gossip and industry shifts with a sharp eye. Her presence was a quiet but powerful challenge to the industry’s racial and gender norms at the time. Colleagues remember her as a tough reporter who didn’t shy away from hard questions, earning respect in a field that often sidelined women of color.

Anthony’s career spanned decades, and she became a mentor to many young journalists, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. After leaving the Post, she worked in public relations and continued writing, always emphasizing the importance of integrity in journalism. Her husband, Michael Spinks, a former heavyweight boxing champion, was a constant in her life, and the couple remained together until her death.

Now that Anthony is gone, the journalism community is reflecting on her legacy. She didn’t just report on celebrities—she helped redefine who could sit at the table in newsrooms. Her influence extended beyond her bylines, shaping how future generations of journalists approach their work. In an era where media diversity is still a struggle, Anthony’s story serves as both a reminder of how far the industry has come and how much further it still needs to go.