He began his career in journalism in 1947 as a writer and general assignment reporter for the "Philadelphia Tribune" and the "Associated Negro Press". Poindexter spent 15 years with the "Philadelphia Tribune" as a writer, photojournalist, columnist, sportswriter, sports editor, city editor, business manager, assistant comptroller and comptroller. During the 1948 Democratic and Republican National Conventions, both of which were held in Philadelphia, Poindexter had to interview politicians and attendees from the hallways because black journalists were not allowed on the convention floors. Poindexter joined the staff of the "Philadelphia Evening Bulletin" in 1960 and contributed feature articles to the newspaper's Sunday magazine.