Fundraiser Aims to Sustain Black Press as Bicentennial Approaches

The United States is approaching 200 years of the Black Press, a historic institution founded in 1827.

Black Press legacy faces jeopardy, fundraiser started

Since its birth, the Black Press told the truth about Black life when mainstream outlets ignored or distorted those stories.

Today, that legacy faces jeopardy. Federal advertising has been cut. Corporate partners are retreating. Iconic publications are struggling to survive.

Black media outlets such as EBONY, the Los Angeles Sentinel, the Chicago Defender, and the New York Amsterdam News now fight to keep their doors open.

Supporters warn that if the Black Press disappears, so does America’s ability to guard history and control its narrative.

A national fundraiser has launched to sustain more than 200 outlets. Organizers stress this is investment, not charity.

A voice for African Americans

For generations, the Black Press has stood as a beacon, amplifying the voices of Black communities when mainstream publications turned a blind eye.

It was the Black Press that courageously published the harrowing image of Emmett Till, forcing America to confront the brutality of racism. It guided families through the era of Jim Crow, documented the Great Migration, chronicled the civil rights movement, and celebrated triumphs along the way. Today, it continues to shape the fight for justice, from Trayvon Martin to Eric Garner.

Saving Black Press

In less than two years, America will mark its bicentennial, a milestone unmatched by any other nation. Yet at this historic moment, the Black Press faces a fight for survival. With the current administration pushing back against diversity, equity, and inclusion, its future rests on collective action, investment, and an unwavering commitment to truth.

An official GoFundMe now invites donations, with organizers affirming that contributions safeguard free speech, accountability, and cultural preservation.

Whether national or local, the Black Press matters. It has always mattered and with our support, it always will.