On Saturday, March 15th, leading Greek-American media professionals gathered at the Vista Hotel in Astoria, New York for a roundtable discussion hosted by the Hellenic American Project at Queens College. Organized by Dr. Nikos Alexiou, the event explored the evolving challenges and opportunities facing Greek-American media in the digital age and the future of preserving Greek culture and identity.
The Hellenic American Project (HAP) is a nonprofit initiative at Queens College, CUNY, dedicated to researching, documenting, and presenting the Hellenic American presence in the United States from the early 1900s to today. Serving as a research facility, archive, Greek American library, museum, and event space, HAP plays a vital role in preserving and showcasing the rich history and contributions of Greek Americans.
One of the key speakers was Paul Kotrotsios, Founder and Chairman of the Hellenic News of America, who was asked to reflect on the experience of running a Greek-American publication from Philadelphia, outside the traditional Greek-American hub of New York City.
Paul highlighted that operating from Philadelphia allowed the paper to take a broader, more inclusive approach, connecting Greek-Americans not just in one city, but across the country and around the world.
Paul shared how the Hellenic News of America, founded in 1987, was built on a mission to inform, connect, and empower the Greek-American community. “We didn’t just want to share news, we wanted to preserve our identity, strengthen our community, and amplify our collective voice,” he said.
Paul also spoke about the success of initiatives like the Hermes Expo, which has been instrumental in strengthening business and cultural ties between Greece and the U.S.
“Our strength lies in the stories we tell, stories of resilience, success, and cultural pride,” Paul stated.
Paul also expressed his pride in passing the legacy to his daughter, Aphrodite Kotrotsios, who now serves as CEO and Publisher of the Hellenic News of America. Aphrodite addressed the profound shifts in media consumption in the digital age, emphasizing the importance of evolving while staying true to their core mission.
“To thrive, we need to meet people where they are,” Aphrodite said. “We’ve strengthened our digital presence with a dynamic, mobile-friendly website and expanded our reach through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X to engage younger audiences.”
She highlighted the paper’s shift toward multimedia content, including video and live-streamed events, to engage younger audiences and keep Greek culture and identity alive. “Publishing in both Greek and English allows us to reach different generations while preserving our language and heritage,” she added.
Aphrodite emphasized that Greek-American media are more than just news outlets, they are lifelines for the community. “We are not just preserving our heritage, we are shaping the future of the Greek-American identity,” she said.
She stressed that the Hellenic News of America’s mission extends beyond just reporting, it’s about building a sense of connection and belonging within the Greek-American diaspora.
“Through our platform, we celebrate the successes of Greek-Americans, raise awareness about issues affecting our community, and give a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard,” Aphrodite explained.
Both Paul and Aphrodite underscored that while the media landscape continues to shift, the mission of the Hellenic News of America remains unchanged: to keep the Hellenic spirit alive for generations to come. “As long as we continue to give it a platform, whether through print, TV, radio, or digital, it will remain strong for years to come,” Aphrodite concluded.
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