Probably best known for his skills as a journalist, Bennett began his journalist career as a reporter for the Atlanta Daily World in 1949. He quickly advanced and within three years became a city editor. In 1953, he accepted a position at Johnson Publishing Company as an associate editor for Jet Magazine. Within one year, Bennett became a senior editor for the company’s popular Ebony Magazine. He currently serves as its Executive Editor.

Bennett has been extremely active within both the domestic and international Black communities. Because of his extensive research, he has published numerous books addressing critical issues regarding the Black struggle. Perhaps the most famous of all his writings is Before the Mayflower: A History of Black America, which was named one of the 100 most significant Black books of the twentieth century. Many of his books and short stories have been translated into Arabic, French, German, Japanese, Russian and Swedish. His commitment to his people and their cause led him to be selected as a delegate to the Sixth Pan-African Congress held in Tanzania in 1974. Bennett was also chosen to be a delegate to the Second World Festival of Black and African Art held in Nigeria in 1977.

Recognitions for some of his outstanding achievements have included such awards as the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Black Journalists, the Candace Award from the National Association of 100 Black Women, the Salute to Greatness Award from the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Inc., the Trumpet Award from Turner Broadcasting System and the Candle in the Dark Award from Morehouse College.