The Black Press: 195 years of excellence

By FREDERICK HARRELL

The Dallas Examiner

The Black Press has been the leading voice for the Black community for nearly 195 years. From the first day the idea was created by Bostin Crummell, Pastor John Wilk, Peter Williams Jr. and other Black Americans, to today where there are more than 200 Black newspapers as part of the National Newspaper Publishers Association and many more across the United States. The Black Press has always had one goal: to represent the Black voice in America. Over the last few decades of publication, the Black Press has presented countless stories of trailblazers who have cemented their footprint in Black history.

I had the pleasure to work closely with the NNPA over the summer as an intern. The goal of the NNPA internship – in partnership with Chevrolet – was for Black-owned newspapers to work with HBCU students to create stories and gain experience. I had the opportunity to write and report on different issues in the Black community, interview professionals and provide the newspaper with video content on Black history.

Through the Chevrolet partnership, I learned, studied and reported on electric vehicles and explained why they are important to the future.

Over the summer, I was able to meet and converse with some important figures who represent the Black Press. Because of my internship, I was granted the chance to meet the publisher of The Dallas Examiner, Mollie Belt, and the CEO of the NNPA, Dr. Benjamin Chavis. I had outstanding conversations about how the Black Press operates. While in New Orleans, myself and the other journalism interns were given the opportunity to socialize with different publishers and editors during the NNPA annual convention.

Words cannot describe the feelings I had during that week. The idea of being around publishers and important figures who have been on the frontlines for the community after all these years felt surreal. I was surrounded by journalists who looked like me, had the same mindset and had the same intentions. It dawned on me that the space I shared with these people isn’t an experience that should be taken for granted.

In reflecting on how important the NNPA and the Black Press are, we are talking about an organization that has fought for civil rights, stood up against inequality, exposed corporations and political candidates who were unjust and have provided the community with resources that are essential and sometimes not easily obtained.

The Black Press has gone above and beyond for minorities while staying true to their original motto: “We wish to plead our own cause.”

What stands out the most to me regarding the Black Press is the dedication to be an outlet for minorities for nearly 200 years. As someone who is considered a “Gen Z” adult, I know that my age group isn’t expected to know the importance of the Black Press and what they have done for my people. I want to disassociate that notion. As someone who is pursuing a career in the media field, I am more than inspired by the Black Press and the NNPA.

One of my main concerns in entering the field of media is being able to create stories and content based on facts with people who look just like me. Being a communication major prepares us on how to navigate in a world of people with various backgrounds and ethnicities. While this is extremely important, so is being able to speak up on behalf of your race of people and give them light on what is important. The Black community has fought for equal treatment since we first landed in America and the Black Press helps us express these feelings in a traditional environment.

It brings excitement to know I – a soon-to-be graduate from Grambling State, an historical Black college – can look to the Black Press for opportunities to represent my generation and community as we continue to tell stories, break news and provide support for the generations to come.

“We wish to plead our own cause.”

Frederick Harrell is a sports reporter at Grambling’s The Gramblinite and one of the student host on the college’s The Lab Radio Station. He was also a DTU intern at The Dallas Examiner over the summer.

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