The Black Press has been a cornerstone of Black civil rights and community building since the founding of Freedom’s Journal, the first Black-owned newspaper, in 1827.
In the early 19th century, newspapers owned and operated by White people refused to tell the truth about the abolition movement and refused to report
on Black folks with any semblance of accuracy or humanity. In 1827, soon after slavery was outlawed in New York state, New York City residents John Russworm and Samuel Conish, both active in campaigns to end slavery in the South and combat discrimination in the North, founded Freedom’s Journal in response.
It wasn’t until 1894 that the first Black-owned newspaper was founded in Kansas, that was The People’s Friend. Since then, dozens of Black papers have come and gone in Kansas and Missouri. However 1919, two long serving Black-owned papers were first published, The Negro Star in Wichita and the Kansas City Call.
The Call is still being published. The Negro Star published for 33 years, until 1952.
When I first became publisher of The Community Voice, just a year after it was founded, I set a goal to surpass The Negro Stars amazing longevity.
This year, we’re proud The Community Voice is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Our first issue was published in April 1995.
We still have a few years to go to surpass Hollie T. Sims’ publishing record, but with your prayers and support and combined with dedication and hard work of our Voice team, we’re confident we can make it.
Black Press Sunday
“The Black church and the Black press, along with like-minded civil rights organizations and their leaders, have partnered to advance the cause of Black people for decades. So, I am encouraged that the Black press is being recognized and celebrated on this Black Press Sunday,” said Frances Murphy Draper, CEO and publisher of the AFRO-American Newspapers and first vice chair of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, an organization of more than 200 Black-owned newspapers.
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“For nearly two centuries, the Black press has magnified messages of hope and resilience, and has been a trustworthy, truthful voice for our communities,” Draper said. “The methods have changed, but the message remains the same.”
Give Feet to the Prayers
The “hard-won rights that our foremothers and forefathers fought for” are under attack, Draper said, so “the Black-owned press is needed now more than ever before.”
To that end, members of NNPA and we at The Community Voice hope supporters of Black press will give feet to the prayers they offer on Sunday.
“I encourage everyone who cares not just about the sustainability of the Black press, but the growth of Black press to subscribe, sign up for newsletters — nearly all members of the Black press have them —follow the Black press on social media and support those who support the Black press through their paid advertising and sponsorships,” Draper said.
“While all of these actions are imperative, we must never forget that it was, and still remains, prayer that sustains us. So, on this Black press Sunday, we gather to thank God for our nearly 200 years and ask His guidance for 200 more.”
