Categories: Pat Stevenson,
For nearly two centuries, the Black press has recorded our struggles, celebrated our progress and challenged America to live up to its promises. As efforts emerge to remove Black history from public institutions, reinterpret historic sites and minimize African American contributions, the work of Black journalists is more important than ever.
America’s first Black-owned and operated newspaper, Freedom’s Journal, was founded in New York City on March 16, 1827, by Samuel Cornish and John B. Russwurm. Its powerful declaration—“We wish to plead our own cause”—established the mission that continues to guide Black media. Next year, in 2027, the Black press will celebrate its 200th anniversary.
Over the generations, newspapers including the Chicago Defender, Pittsburgh Courier, Baltimore Afro-American, New York Amsterdam News and Norfolk Journal and Guide developed large circulations and national influence. Copies were frequently passed from family to family, extending their reach far beyond reported circulation figures.
These publications exposed racial violence, encouraged Black migration from the South, promoted Black businesses and challenged discrimination in housing, education, employment and the military. When mainstream newspapers ignored, or distorted, our experiences, the Black press documented the truth.
Black journalists working within mainstream media also recognized the need to organize. On December 12, 1975, 44 journalists, including Chuck Stone, Max Robinson, Les Payne, Sandra Dawson and Maureen Bunyan, founded the National Association of Black Journalists in Washington, D.C. NABJ was created to advocate for Black journalists, increase newsroom representation, provide professional training and improve coverage of Black communities.
The New York Association of Black Journalists, established in 1976 as NABJ’s Greater New York chapter, continued that mission locally. NYABJ provides professional development, networking, mentorship and support while encouraging fair, accurate and inclusive journalism. Its First Take journalism program, launched in 1988, has also introduced generations of high school students to the profession.
Today, Black journalists must continue documenting both the challenges confronting our communities and the gains our people fought to achieve. History teaches us that Black Americans have survived enslavement, segregation, racial terrorism, economic exclusion and repeated attempts to silence our voices. We rebuilt before, and together we can rebuild again.
That requires action. We must listen to and support organizations such as the NAACP and National Action Network. When peaceful protests are organized, we should participate. We must vote in every election, not only presidential elections. We must support Black-owned businesses, Black journalists and Black-owned media.
For 34 years, Harlem Community News has remained committed to delivering “Good News You Can Use” while preserving the history and accomplishments of our communities.
I am deeply honored to be recognized at the New York Association of Black Journalists’ fundraiser on October 23 at the Alhambra Ballroom. Please join us and support the journalists who work every day to ensure that our stories are accurately reported and never erased. For tickets, scan the QR code in the advertisement appearing in this newspaper or visit NYABJ.org.
