By Alexis Taylor, AFRO Managing Editor

Emerging on March 16, 1827, with the debut of “Freedom’s Journal,” the Black Press was started by the intellect, hard work, and courage of John Russworm and Rev. Samuel Cornish.

Though Russworm was born in Jamaica in 1799 and Cornish was a free man born to free parents in Delaware in 1795, the two began their endeavor with one top goal in mind.

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“We wish to plead our own cause,” they proclaimed together, in the first edition of the publication. “Too long have others spoken for us. Too long has the public been deceived by misrepresentations, in things which concern us dearly…”

Shown here is a copy of the first Black newspaper, “Freedom’s Journal.” The four-column offering, created in New York City by John Russwurm and Samuel Cornish, was first published on March 16, 1827. Credit: Image courtesy of the Library of Congress.

The Black Press has sustained itself, keeping the mission alive even when faced with a variety of weapons formed against it. Early Black media professionals faced intimidation, sabotage, and even death for the words and images they printed. The AFRO, for example, was founded on August 13, 1892, just months after The Free Speech and Headlight, a publication co-owned by teacher and activist Ida B. Wells, was burned to the ground on May 27, 1892.

In the 1940’s, dozens of Black papers, including The Baltimore AFRO, were surveilled by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, who desperately wanted to charge members of the Black Press with sedition or anything he could for informing and organizing Black people to make change.

Now, 199 years later, journalists, editors, publishers, photographers, and media professionals at large fight daily on behalf of Black communities for justice and equality, record Black history, entertain the masses, and moderate policy and social discussions focused on change. Today’s Black newspapers are working to keep up with consumer trends and integrate technology as it evolves. Though many things have changed for the Black Press, some– like government-sanctioned divestment–have remained the same.

Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, AFRO News Publisher and CEO, shares a moment on Black Press Sunday with Dorothy Gilliam, the first Black reporter at The Washington Post. Credit: AFRO Photo / Alexis Taylor.

“The issues of today really have not changed. They’ve changed in how we report, but we are still dealing with inequities. We’re still dealing with racism. We’re still dealing with a higher proportion of certain diseases impacting our community,” said Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, AFRO News Publisher and CEO. “We’re still dealing not only with the miseducation of the Negro– but the undereducation, as people seek to pull out books and other things from schools.”

“Those things are important, and it’s important to advocate,” said Draper. “The economic issues are still there. The inequities are everywhere.”

In 2026, Draper said members of the Black Press are tasked with covering local, national, and international news with a Black angle that matters to the Black community.

“Black consumers have some unique interests and unique challenges that you don’t expect the mainstream press to cover–they can’t–that’s why it’s important to have Black-owned press,” said Draper.

Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes said those who take up the fight for the Black Press today can draw strength from those who overcame the challenges of the past.

“They’ve basically laid a road map for us. We just have to stay strong, committed, and dedicated to make sure that we are passing the baton along to others who understand and appreciate the value that we give to our community,” said Barnes. “As long as we don’t forget the mission and we keep reflecting on our ancestors and the work that they did, I think going forward is not as heavy a burden as we feel that it might be today.”

The two publishers came together almost 199 years to the day of the Black Press’ founding for Black Press Sunday, which preceded the Black Press Week celebration held from March 16 to March 20. The service was held in Washington, D.C., on March 15 at Metropolitan AME Church. Each year, the occasion represents the strong tie between the Black Church and the publications that worked hand in hand with faith institutions to inform and uplift the Black community.

Members of the Black Press come together for Black Press Sunday in Washington, D.C. Credit: Courtesy photo.

“There is a symbiotic relationship between the Black Press and the Black Church because everything the Black Church has done–for good or for ill– the Black Press has reported,” said Rev. William H. Lamar IV, Metropolitan AME pastor. “They have shared where we have been at our best, fighting for justice, equity, inclusion, beauty, and they have shared what we’ve been at our worst. 
And all of it has to be recorded.”

“The Black Press also helped to move us ahead politically when the radical Black folks were saying, ‘Y’all need to do what’s right, or we’re going to burn this down,’ and the more moderate people were saying, ‘We will play within the confines of the system.’ The Black Press held us together ideologically, politically, and socially. There is no healthy Black Church without a healthy Black Press, because both are called to the vocation of truth-telling.”

This year, the sermon focused on how Biblical Prophet Elijah prepared his successor, Elisha, to step into his shoes. Lamar encouraged Black media professionals to train up the next generation so well that they can proudly step up and carry on the Black Press no matter what comes their way.

Philip Lewis, president of the Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ), said he was heartened by the message.

“I know we’re on the right path by making sure that students are doing what they need to do to become the next journalists. I’m excited about it,” said Philip Lewis, president of the Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ). ”WABJ is in a unique position, especially in the nation’s capital, to advocate and support our journalists and continue to grow.”

“The Black Press is just as important today as it was 199 years ago,” he continued. “And even in the most extremely fractured time…I think it’s important that we have our own spaces where we can focus on stories that we care about. It’s important for us to be able to plead our own cause.”

As the Black Press Sunday festivities came to a close, Draper reflected on what her own ancestors would say if they could see the Black Press at 199 years.

“I think our ancestors, first of all, would say, ‘Wow, 199 years. That’s a long time.’ We celebrate the 1827 founding of Freedom’s Journal, and while it didn’t last but a few years or so, the impact was immeasurable,” she said. “I think the ancestors would say, ‘Look what has survived with a few resources.’

“If they could do it with a few resources, I think they would tell us, ‘Don’t complain about what you don’t have–use what you do. You might not be able to tell every story, but whatever story you tell, tell it well, make sure that it has an impact and that you’re doing something to really uplift and inform the community.’”

By D. Kevin McNeir | Special to The AFRO

Nearly 100 members of the Black Press – some still honing their skills as journalists in college classrooms along with seasoned veterans representing Black publications from across the U.S.; and both friends of and corporate sponsors of the Black Press, gathered on the campus of Howard University (HU) on March, 18 for this year’s Black Press Week Reception.

The program, hosted by the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Fund, now in its 50th year and led by Executive Director Kelly Hodges, was held in the HU Blackburn Center. Highlights from the reception included a State of the Black Press address delivered by NNPA President and CEO Dr. Benjamin Chavis Jr., musical selections from the Howard University Community Choir, an AI-themed fireside chat, and remarks from various speakers who updated the audience on recent initiatives related to the survival and growth of the Black Press.

As in years past, the most sacred part of the reception was the enshrinement presentation and plaque acceptance led by Karen Carter Richards, NNPA Fund chair, which celebrated the life of Bernal E. Smith II, who, prior to his death in 2017 at the age of 45, had been instrumental in restoring local ownership of The New Tri-State Defender in Memphis, Tenn., as its president and publisher.

Hodges described Smith as a visionary, a dynamic leader, and one of the NNPA’s most widely regarded voices representing the next generation of Black Press publishers.

“He was known for his commitment to community empowerment, social justice, and innovative media leadership,” Hodges said. “We chose to enshrine him into the NNPA Fund of Distinguished Black Publishers this year at Howard University where he will forever be recognized for his lasting contributions to African American journalism and the legacy of the Black Press.”

The Black Press Week 2026 reception opened with a welcome address from Karen Carter Richards, NNPA Fund chair and publisher of the Houston Forward Times, who invited the audience to join her in “celebrating the excellent legacy of those who have powered the Black Press over the past 199 years.”

John Warren, NNPA Fund board member, publisher of The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint and chair of the NNPA, delivered opening remarks that emphasized his decades-long connection and commitment to Howard University.

During Black Press Day 2026, held on the campus of Howard University on March 18, one recurring theme shared by featured speakers was the importance of providing more opportunities for intergenerational conversations among members of the Black Press. Pictured is Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO, NNPA, an icon from the Civil Rights Movement, and Phil Lewis, Washington Association of Black Journalists, president, who moderated a fireside chat about the essential integration of AI in Black Press newsrooms during the program and who represents the cadre of young Black journalists who are making their way in the industry. Credit: AFRO Photo/D. Kevin McNeir.

“I’m a two-time graduate and of Howard who completed law school 42 years ago and I am excited to be back on this campus,” Warren said. “We have weathered some tough times but always survived because of powerful presidents who shepherded us through the storms. Howard University represents a vast and impressive history – stories that without the Black Press may have never been documented and would have been lost to future generations.”

Chavis, who chose as the theme for his address, “Legacy, Struggle, Innovation, and the Road Ahead,” said while the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Blacks must remember that our history did not begin in 1776 but rather thousands of years earlier on the African continent.

“Even in the face of unprecedented inhumanity, torture, rape, violence, lynchings, and the racist discrimination and enslavement of African people in America before and after 1776, we not only survived but held on to our sense of dignity, purpose, struggle, mission, and vision,” Chavis said. “Now, as we prepare for the 200th anniversary of the Black Press, we must consider what truths are we passing on to the next generation?

“What truths are we holding onto that shatter the sinful and hateful stereotypes that work to sustain our oppression rather than to ensure our liberation? We represent a sacred tradition of truth telling as members of the Black Press. However, it has never just been about the news – it has always been about freedom, justice, dignity, and self-determination,” said Chavis who added that the Black Press must continue to serve as a prophetic voice in the wilderness of American democracy as it challenges various forms of injustice.

As the Black Press continues its commitment to digitizing photographs and publications dating back to its founding in the early 19th century, Howard University serves as the home for archives that continue to grow and are housed on Howard’s campus under the auspices of the Moorland Spingarn Research Center (MSRC). Reports from two representatives of the NNPA’s ongoing digitization efforts, Brandon Nightingale, senior project manager, and Sijan Shrestha, MSRC scholar, provided critical information about the NNPA’s efforts to ensure that its past works  remain available for future generations.

Chavis challenged his colleagues to ready themselves for the digital transformation which is sweeping across America and the world and to recognize that the shift from print to digital publishing is far from optional but is instead essential for those who wish to survive.

“This moment demands strategic resilience, intergenerational leadership to secure the future, and the ability to move forward as innovators who understand the benefits of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and who are not afraid of the changes that it will inevitably bring to our industry,” he said. “But changes notwithstanding, our mission remains urgent and that cause first voiced in 1827 by the publishers of Freedom’s Journal which journeyed throughout two centuries of struggle and triumph, is still before us.

“The role of the Black Press is more vital today than ever before,” he continued. “As we honor the legacy of those like Frederick Douglass and Ida B. Wells, we must accept as our task the preparation of a new generation who will be called upon to carry the torch.”

Nashville, TN — July 25, 2025: In a historic announcement, a coalition of leading Black faith organizations and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) unveiled a strategic partnership and plan to confront systemic disparities impacting African American communities nationwide.

Dr. Boise Kimber, President of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.; Bishop J. Drew Sheard, Pre- siding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ (COGIC); Dr. Samuel Tolbert, President of the National Baptist Convention of America; and Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., veteran civil rights leader and President of the NNPA, are leading this collaboration between the Black church and Black Media.

“There is strength in unity. There is power in our collective voice. There is hope in our actions,” said Dr. Boise Kimber.

For generations, African American communities have endured deep-rooted inequities in healthcare, education, criminal justice, economic opportunity, and access to capital. These challenges are not new. The coalition intends to put an end to fragmented responses and speak with one clear, concise and consolidated voice.

The Black Church and Black Media, two institutions that have long anchored and uplifted Black America, are now coming together with renewed focus and purpose.

This partnership is grounded in shared values, spiritual conviction, cultural empowerment, and an unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and progress.

The coalition will focus on five core initiatives:

• Shaping a unified national narrative that challenges harmful stereotypes and amplifies stories of Black resilience, excellence, and innovation
• Mobilizing faith-based and media networks to address community disparities through solutions-focused advocacy and outreach
• Holding corporate America accountable by demanding responsible reinvestment in Black communities through sustainable partnerships, economic equity, and community-led development
• Empowering the next generation by reclaiming our narratives and creating new pathways for education, leadership, and entrepreneurship
• Holding elected officials accountable by spotlighting those whose policies do not align with the interests of the Black community. To earn our votes, they must heed our voices.

“This is more than a symbolic gesture; it is a strategic and spiritual alignment.” When the Black Church and Black Media speak as one, we can ignite a movement. When we organize as one, we can shift the narrative. When we act as one, we cannot be ignored or denied,” the coalition stated.

The coalition invites all stakeholders, faith leaders, media professionals, community organizers, educators, business leaders, and concerned citizens to join this movement for unity, justice, and progress.

Coalition Leaders,

Dr. Boise Kimber, President
National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.

J. Drew Sheard, Presiding Bishop
Church of God in Christ

Dr. Samuel C. Tolbert, President
National Baptist Convention of America

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. President and CEO
National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)
Civil Rights Leader and Publisher

By Tacuma Roeback, Managing Editor, Chicago Defender

On a cool, mostly overcast morning at Oak Woods Cemetery on Chicago’s South Side, friends, colleagues and admirers gathered to honor Harold Washington—Chicago’s first Black mayor—and his lasting and incalculable impact on the city and country.

The Mayor Harold Washington Legacy Committee hosted the annual wreath-laying ceremony, a tradition that brings together those who knew Washington, worked with him or were inspired by his leadership. Speakers shared memories of a man who led with dignity in the face of adversity and shaped Chicago’s political landscape.

Ald. Desmon Yancy (5th) gave remarks at the wreath-laying ceremony (Photo Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback).

“There was a sense of pride that ran through the Black community as we watched our dear Mayor Washington lead with dignity in the face of adversity,” Ald. Desmon Yancy (5th) recalled.

“Bold, Black and eloquent and usually the smartest person in the room, I believe that no one was better at linking Black liberation and politics than Harold.”

The Master of Ceremony for the event was Andrea Smith of the MHWLC.

Among the guest speakers were former State Rep. Mary E. Flowers, State Sen. Mattie Hunter, Rev. Dr. Janette Wilson, Dr. Barbara J. Norman, and 12-year-old King Hutchinson, a student at Burnside Scholastic Academy. Also present were former Ald. David H. Moore (17th) and former Ald. Dorothy Wright Tillman, both of whom had worked with Washington or were deeply influenced by his leadership.

Devorah Crable, one of the MHWLC’s founding members at the wreath-laying ceremony (Photo Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback).

Born in Chicago in 1922, Washington’s journey from DuSable High School to the U.S. Air Force and later to Roosevelt University and Northwestern University’s School of Law set the foundation for his political career.

That career began in earnest when he served in the Illinois State House and Senate before being elected to Congress in 1981.

In 1983, Washington was elected the 42nd mayor of Chicago, a historic achievement that would change local politics. He was reelected in 1987 before his sudden death later that year.

Rev. Dr. Janette Wilson delivers her remarks at the wreath-laying ceremony (Photo Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback).

Monday’s wreath-laying ceremony marked 37 years since Washington’s death. His passing left a gap in local and national politics, and still lingers today, particularly in the leadership of figures like Barack Obama, who often credit Washington for helping to shape their progressive political views.

Decades before diversity, equity and inclusion became a thing, Washington imparted that approach during his administration.

Dr. Barbara J. Norman, expounding on the legacy of Mayor Washington with Andrea Smith (Photo Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback).

“Mayor Washington implemented bold and progressive measures to ensure that all members of Chicago society, women in particular, were provided a fair and equitable opportunity to be elected into office and occupy high-level positions in all areas of government,” said Devorah Crable, one of the MHWLC’s founding members.

12-year-old King Hutchinson, a student at Burnside Scholastic Academy, delivers remarks at the wreath-laying ceremony (Photo Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback).

The wreath-laying ceremony also sparked conversations about bringing to bear Washington’s legacy to impact the future of local and national politics. Hutchinson, born after Washington’s time as mayor, spoke to the next generation’s role in carrying his legacy forward.

Members of Mayor Harold Washington’s police detail carry a wreath to be placed on his grave Wednesday at Oak Woods Cemetery on Monday (Photo Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback).

“I wasn’t born when Harold Washington was elected mayor, but I know that he made history as the first African American mayor of Chicago. I wasn’t born when Barack Obama became the first African American president of the United States, but I’m aware that Mayor Washington’s leadership paved the way for that historic moment,” said Hutchinson.

Members of the former mayor’s security detail presented the wreath at the stately, gray stone mausoleum that is Washington’s final resting place, accompanied by the sound of bugle taps. As the sun broke through the clouds, attendees gathered for photos, reflecting on Washington’s legacy and the work still to be done.

Photo Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback

State Sen. Hunter unveiled plans for a new statue of Harold Washington to be placed at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield. Rev. Dr. Wilson reminded the crowd that honoring Washington’s memory was not enough.

“We’re going to be holding elected officials accountable in 2025, and we’re going to take back the Congress and the Senate in 2026,” she said. Of the wreath-laying ceremony, Rev. Dr. Wilson added, “It’s not just to celebrate his memory, we must remember to embrace his legacy.”

Photo Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback.