Current Sampson Independent sports editor Anthony Goodman will take the editorial reins of the over 130-year-old loca, three-day per week newspaper Monday, becoming the first Black man to serve as its editor.
He replaces Duplin native Abby Cavenaugh, who returned last week to her home community to serve as editor of the weekly Duplin Times.
The move, SI Publisher Sherry Matthews said, returns a hometown face to the editorial department’s helm, and is a promotion she was thrilled to be able to make.
“I could not be happier that Anthony is taking over the editorial responsibilities for the newspaper. He is a Sampson County native, like myself, and understands the importance of keeping community in a community newspaper.
“He loves this community almost as much as I do,” Matthews continued, noting that the difference in that love was only because of her age difference. “I’ve just been around a lot longer than Anthony, but he comes from the same place — a heart of community, a love for this newspaper that we both grew up reading and a passion for covering the news.”
Goodman steps into the role after just over a year at the local newspaper, starting as a content writer in 2025 and quickly advancing to sports editor, where he parlayed his love for student-athletes and sports into coverage that spanned the county and every high school and middle school in Sampson.
A proud Sampson County native raised in the Midway Raider district in the Herring and Kitty Fork communities, Goodman’s journey has taken him across the country and beyond, including time spent living in Aurora; Hemet; Edmonton; and Henderson, where he graduated from Northern Vance High School in 2008.
Following the passing of his grandfather, William A. Goodman, Goodman returned to Sampson County to help care for his grandmother, Rodetha Butler Goodman, who is now 95 years old. That decision ultimately reconnected him with the community that shaped him and reignited his passion for service, mentorship and storytelling.
Before entering journalism, Goodman built a career in sales with Verizon Wireless while also dedicating himself to coaching and education throughout Sampson County. Through his involvement with the Hobbton community alongside his wife, Angela Goodman, a proud Hobbton alumna, he served as an assistant coach in football and basketball, head coach for JV basketball and track and field, and worked as a substitute teacher throughout the county school system. Those experiences, he said, deepened his connection with local students and families and eventually inspired his transition into community journalism.
“The love and connection I gained from that experience led me to seek something so much more,” Goodman recalled. “I was awake at 3 a.m. one morning contemplating how I could become more proficient for my family, and I saw a job opportunity at The Sampson Independent.”
Goodman often shares a lesson with the young athletes he coaches: “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” Motivated by that mindset, he submitted his resume in what he describes as a leap of faith. Later that same morning, Matthews contacted him to schedule an interview for the following day.
In March 2025, Goodman joined The Sampson Independent as a staff writer. By October 2025, he was promoted to sports editor, quickly becoming recognized for his extensive coverage of local athletics and his commitment to highlighting student-athletes from every corner of Sampson County regardless of school size, record or circumstance.
“I interview coaches whether they win or lose, and whether they are from Sampson County or not, because all student-athletes deserve acknowledgement for their hard work,” Goodman emphasized. “I was once that kid looking in the stands to find my mom and dad, or grandparents or aunts and uncles. Once I saw them, it was game time because I knew I had to make them proud.”
Goodman credits much of his inspiration to memories of sitting at the school bus stop with his grandfather, reading The Sampson Independent each morning and anxiously waiting to see whether his name or photo appeared in the sports section. He vividly remembers the pride his grandfather expressed whenever he or his brother, JD Davis, were featured in the newspaper.
“He articulated the news to us every morning to enlighten us on what was going on in the community,” Goodman shared. “But when he saw his grandkids positively represented in the paper, the elation and joy he expressed are memories that still stick with me today.”
Those experiences now fuel Goodman’s mission to ensure communities feel seen and valued. He believes community journalism preserves moments that families can cherish for generations.
“A Facebook story will last for 24 hours, but a newspaper clipping will last for an eternity for those who cherish it,” Goodman remarked. “When I became sports editor, I felt an immense sense of duty and pride to give students, parents and communities that same feeling I once had growing up; it will only be compounded now that I’m editor.”
Goodman shares Matthews’ goal of shining the light on government, promoting young people and telling the stories across the county of the men, women and children who do so many good things every day, all things the local newspaper is charged with doing every day.
And, just like Matthews, his number one goal is to encourage more and more people to return to getting real news from a community newspaper.
“Anthony understands that a press release left unvetted is just a one-side story that deserves so much more attention. He and his staff of writers intend to give it, and everything we possibly can the attention it deserves.”
A devoted husband and proud father, Goodman is the father of Aidyn, Anthony Tyler II and Avella, while also cherishing his role as a bonus father to Dai’vian, De’Angelo and Di’Jour Murrell.
Through both journalism and mentorship, he remains deeply committed to uplifting the youth and communities of Sampson County.
“I love my home, I love our students and I love our community of Sampson County,” Goodman said. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”