Tommie "T.L." Lee Wyatt

Tommie Lee (T. L.) Wyatt, a steadfast voice for Austin’s Black community and a lifelong champion of truthful, empowering journalism, passed away in his sleep in the presence of his son, Thomas L. Wyatt, on January 9th, 2026, at the AVIR at Park Bend facility in Austin, Texas. He was 88 years old.

Born in Point Blank, Texas, on July 27, 1937, to Ardalia Standifer, T. L. grew up and earned a football scholarship, played, and graduated from Bishop college at Marshall, Texas with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration (BBA).

Wyatt came of age during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, a time marked by both profound pain and transformative progress. Those early years shaped his understanding of justice, community, and the power of storytelling—values that would guide his life’s work.

Wyatt moved to Austin in 1962, entering a city still governed by the constraints of segregation. Yet he remembered East Austin not for its imposed limits, but for its brilliance: a vibrant, self-sustaining Black community filled with thriving businesses, cultural pride, and deep-rooted connection. That sense of possibility stayed with him.

In 1973, Wyatt, his wife at the time Barbara, and a dear friend co founded The Villager Newspaper with a bold and necessary mission—to shine a light on the positive stories of Black Austin. At a time when mainstream media often portrayed African Americans through narrow or negative frames, The Villager became a counter narrative, a source of affirmation and truth. When his co founders moved on to other careers, Wyatt remained, carrying the paper forward with unwavering commitment. He focused on the neighborhoods, families, and issues that needed visibility, insisting that Black communities deserved coverage that reflected their full humanity.

Wyatt often said, “The community needed a voice,” whether through his newspaper, his magazine - Loquacity, or the only Black radio station in Austin at the time – KAZI. Having grown up reading Black newspapers, he knew the standard they set—and he held himself to it. He credited community support as the force that kept The Villager strong through the decades.

As technology changed the media landscape, Wyatt remained convinced of the enduring importance of Black newspapers. He said, “People still keep scrapbooks of articles. We continue to do the work for them.” His belief in print was never nostalgia—it was a commitment to accessibility, memory, and belonging.

Beyond journalism, Wyatt became a respected civic leader, serving on numerous boards and commissions, including the Private Industry Council, the Austin Cable Commission, and the East 11th Street Village Association. Wyatt was also a founding member of the Texas Publishers Association (TPA) and a steadfast member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). He implemented programs like the Youth Brigade to help support the education of children. Through contacts with major corporations like Budweiser, Frost Bank, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America, Wyatt was able to infuse a financial lifeline for community resources very much needed. And through his connections within the Austin City Council and the City of Austin, Wyatt was able to show the wonderful opportunities that East Austin had to give back to the city. His work helped shape policy, preserve culture, and uplift communities too often overlooked by city leadership.

A lover of golf, travel, vacationing, good food, and gambling, Wyatt carried joy with him wherever he went. He built alliances not only through his newspaper, but through the warmth, curiosity, and optimism he brought to every room. Even when reflecting on the hardships of segregation, he chose to focus on resilience and possibility. “Why incessantly fuss about the negative when you can always focus on the positive,” he would ask while smiling through pearly whites.

Through his vision, persistence and perseverance, T.L. Wyatt’s deep love for his community, and East Austin, created a legacy that will continue to guide and inspire others who wish to follow in his footsteps. He leaves behind a city forever shaped by his voice, his leadership, and his unwavering belief in the power of telling our own stories.

May his memory be a blessing and may the light he carried continue to illuminate the path forward. Wyatt is survived by his son, granddaughter and great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, located at 14501 North Ih-35, Pflugerville, TX, 78660, on January 20, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

The funeral service will take place at the same venue on January 21, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

The committal service will follow at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery, also located at 14501 North Ih-35, Pflugerville, TX, 78660, from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm on January 21, 2026.