Black press nears 200 years of telling our stories

This year marks the 199th anniversary of the Black Press in America, a powerful milestone that highlights nearly two centuries of journalism dedicated to truth, advocacy, and the voices of Black communities.

As Black Press Week is celebrated across the country, journalists, historians, and readers reflect on a legacy that began with courage and continues today with purpose.

The story of the Black Press began in 1827 when two free Black men in New York City, Samuel Cornish and John B. Russwurm launched “Freedom’s Journal,” the first Black-owned and operated newspaper in the United States.

At a time when mainstream newspapers often ignored or misrepresented Black life, “Freedom’s Journal” declared its mission boldly: “We wish to plead our own cause.” That simple yet powerful statement became the guiding principle of the Black Press.

From its earliest days, the Black Press served as more than just a source of news. It was a lifeline for a community facing slavery, discrimination, and exclusion from many aspects of American society. Black newspapers provided coverage of abolitionist efforts, shared information about education and employment, and documented the lives and achievements of Black Americans that the mainstream press refused to acknowledge.

Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, Black newspapers multiplied across the country. Publications such as the Chicago Defender, Pittsburgh Courier, and Baltimore Afro-American became influential voices advocating for civil rights, economic empowerment, and social justice. These newspapers helped fuel the Great Migration by publishing stories that encouraged Southern Black families to seek new opportunities in Northern cities. They also exposed racial violence and injustice at times when many white-owned newspapers remained silent.

During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, the Black Press played a crucial role in documenting protests, organizing communities, and amplifying the voices of leaders fighting for equality. While television cameras and national newspapers eventually covered the movement, Black newspapers had been telling those stories long before the rest of the nation paid attention.

In Minnesota, that legacy has been carried forward for more than nine decades by the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, the state’s oldest continuously operating Black newspaper and one of the longest-running Black-owned businesses in Minnesota. Founded in 1934 by civil rights leader and publisher Cecil E. Newman, the paper began as two publications, the Minneapolis Spokesman and the St. Paul Recorder, serving the Twin Cities’ growing Black community.

From its earliest days, the newspaper committed itself to speaking out against discrimination and inequality. Newman used the pages of the publication to challenge racial barriers in employment, housing, and public life while also celebrating the achievements and everyday lives of Minnesota’s Black residents. The newspaper documented local and national civil rights struggles and connected community members with resources, forums, and leaders advocating for change.

The Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder also helped launch the careers of influential Black journalists and creatives. Among them was renowned photographer Gordon Parks, who worked for the newspaper early in his career before becoming the first Black staff photographer for “Life” magazine. 

For generations, the publication has served as both a news source and a historical record of Black life in Minnesota, documenting everything from civil rights activism and political progress to community celebrations, churches, businesses, and cultural milestones. Today, the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder continues that mission as a multimedia organization reaching readers across the state through print, digital platforms, and community engagement.

“The Black Press has always been the voice of our communities, telling our stories with truth, context, and purpose when others would not,” said Tracey Williams-Dillard, CEO and publisher of the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. “As we celebrate 199 years of the Black Press, we honor the pioneers who built this legacy and recommit ourselves to ensuring that our communities remain informed, empowered, and represented for generations to come.”

Black Press Week provides an opportunity not only to celebrate history but also to support the future of Black journalism. Community leaders encourage readers to subscribe to local Black newspapers, share their stories, and support independent Black media institutions that remain essential voices in American democracy.

As the nation approaches the 200th anniversary of the Black Press in 2027, this year’s observance carries special meaning. Nearly two centuries after the publication of Freedom’s Journal, the mission to “plead our own cause” still resonates. The Black Press remains a testament to the power of independent journalism and the enduring importance of telling our own stories.

From printed pages in the 19th century to digital platforms today, the Black Press continues to inform, inspire, and advocate. Its legacy reminds us that journalism is not only about reporting the news, it is about preserving truth, strengthening communities, and ensuring that every voice has the opportunity to be heard.

As Black Press Week honors 199 years of dedication and determination, the message is clear: the Black Press is not just history, it is a living, evolving force that continues to shape the narrative of America and the communities it serves.

Jasmine McBride welcomes reader responses at jmcbride@spokesman-recorder.com.