Washington Newspaper Legend Hits River Oaks, Spills Secrets on New Spielberg Movie with Oscar Buzz: An All-Star Journalism Moment

Who among us knew that Houston Chronicle chairman Jack Sweeney worked with Don Graham at the Washington Post before Sweeney left D.C. to eventually become publisher of our local newspaper? War stories from that late ’60s and early ’70s were just a few among many insights that the former publisher and chairman of the Washington Post shared at the Center for Houston’s Future dinner at River Oaks Country Club

Interviewed by KPRC Channel 2 news anchor Rachel McNeill, Graham discussed his life and career at the revered newspaper, his mother Katherine Graham’s trailblazing example for working women as well as the new Stephen Spielberg movie, The Post, starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks.

“It’s a movie about my mother, what do you think about that,” he declared, adding later, “Now my mother is getting a movie of her own, with Meryl Streep playing her in the most dramatic moment of her life (the Pentagon Papers era).”

Asked what was the most important lesson he learned from his mother, who led the family newspaper for more than two decades, Graham answered, “Everyone learned from her that there is no job a woman can’t do.”

Graham also spoke ardently on his current altruistic mission. Since selling The Post to Jeff Bezos in 2013 for $250 million, Graham has focused his energies toward immigration reform and formation of TheDream.US,  a $25 million foundation, which provides tuition-free college educations for qualified Dreamers. More than 130 students have attended the University of Houston thanks to the financial support of Graham’s non-profit.  Joining Graham at the dinner was TheDream.US program coordinator Gaby Pacheco.

Graham’s impact in the immigration arena both nationally and in Houston made his presentation all the more relevant to the Center for Houston’s Future group.

Who: Chairs Charles Foster and Stan Marek, Center for Houston’s Future CEO Brett Perlman, Houston Chronicle chairman Jack Sweeney,  former Mayor Annise Parker, center founder Eugene Vaughan, Neil Bush, Marvin Odum, Chevron’s Joni Baird, KPRC GM Jerry Martin, KPRC news anchor Dominique Sachse, Marvin Odum, and Larry Payne, recipient of the Center for Houston’s Future IMPACT Award recipient.