H. Brandt Ayers

Harry Brandt Ayers, also known as Brandy Ayers (8 April 1935 - 3 May 2020) was a publisher and journalist based in Anniston, Alabama, part of the Ayers family of publishers. following which he briefly worked for the Anniston Star before moving to work for a newspaper in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he met his wife Josephine. During this time he moved the newspaper towards being more favourable towards the Civil rights movement that was active in Alabama during this time. Ayers also provided commentary for National Public Radio.

Under Ayers' leadership, the Star'''s critical stance towards the leadership of Alabama governor George Wallace, and generally left-wing position on the political issues of the day, led Wallace to label it The Red Star.

Ayers stood down as publisher of the Star in 2016, but remained in charge of the publishing company that owned it, Consolidated Publishing Co. A second woman anonymously said that Ayers called her to his office later that year and spanked her after she missed covering a local meeting. Subsequent research showed that allegations of spanking had been levelled against Ayers as early as 2007 by former executives. Ayers was listed amongst prominent media figures to have been the subject of sexual harassment, assault, or other misconduct allegations during the Me Too movement.

Bibliography In Love with Defeat: The Making of a Southern Liberal''