Michael Van Cooten is the founder, publisher and editor of Pride News Magazine, Canada's foremost ethnic newspaper serving the African Guyanese and Caribbean community in Canada. The newspaper has been at the forefront of providing high quality coverage of news and events relevant to the Afro-Caribbean community and has effectively served to promote the special interests and culture of the community.

The inaugural edition was published in January 1983 as Caribbean Life Magazine, later changed to Pride News Magazine. The vision of Pride News Magazine is "to act as a catalyst for the advancement, empowerment and happiness of peoples of Caribbean and African heritage" by providing positive, inspiring stories about the successes, achievements and accomplishments of its target communities. Commonly referred to as "Pride", the newspaper provides a significant link for the Guyana and Caribbean Diaspora to news and views from "back home", and often acts as a "watchdog" and social conscience to protect the rights of community members.

In addition to nurturing many young, promising journalists who later progressed to highly successful careers, Pride donates thousands of dollars in sponsorships to deserving non profit organizations and has been generous in providing free advertising and coverage for community organizations which could not afford the costs.

Pride has been the recipient of several awards since its inception including awards from the United Way, the Jamaican Canadian Association and the Toronto Bathurst Lions Club.

Pride's founder, Michael Van Cooten, initiated the African Canadian Achievement Awards in 1985, described by the Toronto Star in February 2007 as "one of the country's most prestigious award events". These Awards pay tribute to the exemplary contributions of members of the African Caribbean and Canadian community and foster a sense of pride and dignity within these communities. Born in Guyana, Michael Van Cooten migrated to Canada in 1972. He is a seasoned entrepreneur and journalist who held management positions at the Globe and Mail and the Toronto Sun and has established many small businesses.