New York Amsterdam News: A Legacy of Black-Owned Publishing Embraces Its Heritage

HARLEM — The New York Amsterdam News stands as a venerable institution within the Black press. Today, it is harnessing its rich heritage to navigate the evolving media environment. Publisher Elinor Tatum highlights numerous instances where the newsroom has championed its diverse readership, notably recalling its pivotal coverage of The Central Park Five case. “We tell the narratives others overlook—through our community’s perspective,” she asserts. Siobhan Bennett, CEO of AmNews Educational Foundation, emphasizes the resilience of multigenerational family-operated businesses committed to preservation. “The Tatum family has miraculously maintained this space,” she notes, though they now face critical challenges. To alleviate financial strains, the paper is initiating a preservation project, aiming to repurpose the historic newsroom into a public education hub that honors both its legacy and the significance of the Black press.