While the obstacles confronting us today may differ in some ways from the ones faced by civil rights icons such as the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., we still find ourselves fighting for equality and equity in far too many of our nation’s communities. Stark disparities remain within the workplace, in education, health care, advanced technologies and civic engagement.

Fortunately, there are leaders and committed individuals in this great nation who continue to press beyond the mark and pave the way for the American Dream to be realized by us all. Louisiana’s own Daniel “Danny” Bakewell is one such person.

Bakewell is a prominent leader, entrepreneur, businessman, humanitarian and civil rights activist. As founder and chairman of Los Angeles’ Brotherhood Crusade, an organization dedicated to building and keeping resources within the Black community, Bakewell raised and distributed more than $60 million to the community in the 35 years that he served as chairman. And in his home city of New Orleans, Bakewell bought and restored to health the heritage African-American news and information radio station, WBOK (AM), after it was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

As a newspaper publisher for some 14 years, I have a deep respect for newspaper publishers. And last year, I was thrilled to learn that Danny Bakewell was elected chairman of the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

Since the first African-American newspaper was published in 1827, the Black Press has had a great impact on societal, political and civic thought and engagement. In the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s; however, African-American publications faced severe obstacles, and in many cases were forced to lay off employees and cut out sections. The recent economic downturn resulted in another series of setbacks for African-American newspapers and other Black news organizations that could not be ignored.

While leading the National Newspapers Publishers Association and Black Press USA, Bakewell worked with a team to modernize the framework of the organization, secure additional readership, grow ad revenue and help keep African Americans abreast of news and critical information, which included efforts to close the digital divide.

One significant step taken by Bakewell and his team was providing its member publications with an online presence — a critical component of securing readership and growing revenue. According to a 2011 report by the Pew Research Center’s Project for Excellence in Journalism, online news consumption continues to grow, and surpasses print newspapers in both ad revenue and readership. For the NNPA and Black Press USA members, it was clear that without an online presence, their future was at risk.

With the launch of NNPA’s new website, which houses access to all of its member publications, readers are able to access news and information with the click of a button. Today, virtually everything is being done online — from paying bills to communicating with employers to obtaining news and information. Unfortunately, access to high-speed broadband Internet service among African Americans is significantly lower when compared to the overall population, putting many of our communities in further jeopardy. The Internet is liberating in a variety of ways, and by embracing broadband technologies through NNPA and Black Press USA, Bakewell is helping to bring equality to all.

Bakewell’s dedication to bringing communities together, strengthening civic engagement, creating stronger communities and building equity in minority communities, will have a tremendous impact for years to come. Although his work is far from over, his legacy is already secured. Our nation is greater because of his thoughtful vision and steadfast dedication. For that, and so much more, thank you, Danny Bakewell.

Mignon Clyburn is commissioner of Federal Communications Commission.