Black Press Celebrated: Voices of Our Experience

A look at African-American newspapers from the past.

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Freedom's Journal - Since 1827, Black Americans have used the power of the press to voice their unique experiences. Papers sprung up nationally over the years covering issues such as slavery, lynching, civil rights and present-day discrimination issues. Take a look at several African-American newspapers that have paved the way in the past and present. — Natelege Whaley (@Natelege) "We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us," declared founders of the Freedom’s Journal, Samuel Cornish and John B. Russwurm, on the paper’s front page. The outlet covered international, national and regional news about issues of slavery, lynching and other issues affecting Blacks. The paper was published weekly in New York City from 1827 to 1829. (Photo: Freedom's Journal)

The Anti-Slavery Bugle - This paper was first published in Lisbon, Ohio, on June 29, 1845. Its motto was “No Union With Slaveholders.” The paper published Sojourner Truth’s 1851 “Ain't I a Woman” Speech. The Bugle stood in strong opposition to papers representing the politics of Whigs, Democrats and Republicans, pro-slavery and others. It stopped publishing in 1863.(Photo: Ohio Historical Society via Library of Congress)

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The Anti-Slavery Bugle - This paper was first published in Lisbon, Ohio, on June 29, 1845. Its motto was “No Union With Slaveholders.” The paper published Sojourner Truth’s 1851 “Ain't I a Woman” Speech. The Bugle stood in strong opposition to papers representing the politics of Whigs, Democrats and Republicans, pro-slavery and others. It stopped publishing in 1863.(Photo: Ohio Historical Society via Library of Congress)

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Atlanta Daily World - Founded in 1928 by W.A. Scott II, the Atlanta Daily World became daily in 1932. Scott’s granddaughter M. Alexis Scott serves as the publisher today. The paper delivers daily content online and prints once a week.  (Photo: Atlanta Daily World)

Photo By Atlanta Daily World

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Baltimore Afro-American - The first issue of the Afro-American appeared on Aug. 13, 1892, and catered to the Black community in Baltimore. In 1897, John H. Murphy Sr., an employee of the publication, bought the presses for $200 and was responsible for its success. Another version of the Afro-American was published in Washington, D.C. Murphy’s great-grandson John J. Oliver Jr. is publisher today.(Photo: Baltimore Afro-American Newspaper 1956)

Photo By Baltimore Afro-American Newspaper 1956

Chicago Defender - The Chicago Defender was started with 25 cents and had humble beginnings in the kitchen of Robert S. Abbott’s landlord in May 1905. The newspaper successfully urged Southern Blacks to migrate north between 1915 and 1925. Ronald E. Childs is the paper’s interim publisher.(Photo: Chicago Defender Newspaper,July 31, 1948)

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Chicago Defender - The Chicago Defender was started with 25 cents and had humble beginnings in the kitchen of Robert S. Abbott’s landlord in May 1905. The newspaper successfully urged Southern Blacks to migrate north between 1915 and 1925. Ronald E. Childs is the paper’s interim publisher.(Photo: Chicago Defender Newspaper,July 31, 1948)

Photo By Photo: Chicago Defender Newspaper

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Denver Weekly News -  The Denver Weekly News is known as Colorado’s oldest and only weekly African-American newspaper reporting on issues in Denver and its surrounding areas. The paper opened on Feb. 17, 1971. (Photo: Denver Weekly News)

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Denver Weekly News - The Denver Weekly News is known as Colorado’s oldest and only weekly African-American newspaper reporting on issues in Denver and its surrounding areas. The paper opened on Feb. 17, 1971. (Photo: Denver Weekly News)

Los Angeles Sentinel - For more than 70 years, the Los Angeles Sentinel has served Black readers. Founded by Colonel Leon H. Washington in 1933, it is the largest paid Black-owned newspaper on the West Coast. In 2004, Danny J. Bakewell Sr. took over as publisher. (Photo: Los Angeles Sentinel)

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Los Angeles Sentinel - For more than 70 years, the Los Angeles Sentinel has served Black readers. Founded by Colonel Leon H. Washington in 1933, it is the largest paid Black-owned newspaper on the West Coast. In 2004, Danny J. Bakewell Sr. took over as publisher. (Photo: Los Angeles Sentinel)

New York Amsterdam News - With $10 and a dream, James H. Anderson put out the first edition of the Amsterdam News on Dec. 4, 1909. It is named after the avenue Anderson once lived on in Manhattan, New York. Elinor Ruth Tatum is the publisher. The paper is known for its coverage of Malcolm X’s rise to prominence and crime epidemics in Harlem. (photo: New York Amsterdam News)

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New York Amsterdam News - With $10 and a dream, James H. Anderson put out the first edition of the Amsterdam News on Dec. 4, 1909. It is named after the avenue Anderson once lived on in Manhattan, New York. Elinor Ruth Tatum is the publisher. The paper is known for its coverage of Malcolm X’s rise to prominence and crime epidemics in Harlem. (photo: New York Amsterdam News)

Indianapolis Freeman - The now defunct Indianapolis Freeman was the first illustrated African-American newspaper and featured political cartoons related to concerns of the Black communities of Indianapolis. It was first published on July 14, 1888, by Edward E. Cooper and because of competition from the Recorder, another local paper, it stopped its presses in 1926.  (Photo: The Freeman, Jan 30, 1892)

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Indianapolis Freeman - The now defunct Indianapolis Freeman was the first illustrated African-American newspaper and featured political cartoons related to concerns of the Black communities of Indianapolis. It was first published on July 14, 1888, by Edward E. Cooper and because of competition from the Recorder, another local paper, it stopped its presses in 1926.  (Photo: The Freeman, Jan 30, 1892)

Indianapolis Recorder - Since 1895, the Indianapolis Recorder reported on lynching and race riots happening locally after World War I and, later on, the activities of the civil rights movement. Today the paper is focused on expanding digitally. George P. Stewart and Will Porter are its founders. Today William G. Mays leads the paper as publisher.   (Photo: The Indianapolis Recorder, June 8, 1968, via Indiana History Center)

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Indianapolis Recorder - Since 1895, the Indianapolis Recorder reported on lynching and race riots happening locally after World War I and, later on, the activities of the civil rights movement. Today the paper is focused on expanding digitally. George P. Stewart and Will Porter are its founders. Today William G. Mays leads the paper as publisher.  (Photo: The Indianapolis Recorder, June 8, 1968, via Indiana History Center)

The Liberator - The Liberator was a weekly newspaper founded by William Lloyd Garrison in 1831. For 35 years, the abolitionist paper circulated to its majority African-American subscribers and advocated for the emancipation of all slaves in America. The paper ended its run when slavery was abolished in 1865. (Photo: Library Company of Philadelphia)

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The Liberator - The Liberator was a weekly newspaper founded by William Lloyd Garrison in 1831. For 35 years, the abolitionist paper circulated to its majority African-American subscribers and advocated for the emancipation of all slaves in America. The paper ended its run when slavery was abolished in 1865. (Photo: Library Company of Philadelphia)