Raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Louis Lautier attended Morris Brown College and Howard University Law School. He began his career as a journalist in 1923 at the Atlanta Independent. After the paper failed, he became a freelance journalist, publishing his work in African-American newspapers across the country. He was appointed head of the National Negro Publisher’s Association, which covered Washington, D.C., news for African-American newspapers. Lautier pushed for the integration of the Senate and House press galleries, which was achieved in 1947. During his time in Washington, he also worked as a correspondent for the Atlanta Daily World. In 1955 he became the first African American admitted to the National Press Club.

Sources:
Burroughs, Todd Steven. “’Who is this Man, Louis Lautier?’ The NPA and Louis Lautier.” Black Press USA . National Newspaper Publishers Association. 2006.http://www.blackpressusa.com/history/Timeline_Essay.asp?NewsID=106. 12 April, 2005.

“Two Down.” Time Magazine Archives. 21 March, 1955. Vol. LXV. No. 12.http://www.time.com/time/archive/preview/0,10987,866068,00.htm. 12 April, 2005.