STATE OF THE BLACK PRESS 2025 Howard University March 13, 2025

On behalf of the www.BlackPressUSA.com and the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), I am pleased to first state for the record that the Black Press of America remains on the frontlines of authentic journalism reporting facts and news, as well continuing to be the vocal, vibrant, voice of Black America. For the past 198 years since the first publication of Freedom’s Journal on March 16, 1827, the Black Press continues to be an active advocate for freedom, justice, equality, equity and empowerment. In the veracious words of the initial publishers of Freedom’s Journal, John Brown Russwurm and Samuel Cornish: “Others for too long have spoken for us. We wish to plead our own cause.” That notable quote was editorialized two centuries ago. What has changed? What is our cause today? What is the enduring mission of the Black Press of America? A lot has changed. But a lot has not changed. Black Americans have made tremendous socioeconomic and political progress since 1827. Today we are here on the campus of the historic Howard University, one of the great institutions of higher education that continues to contribute to the sustainable progress of Black Americans and others who seek to become social-...