![Transcription Center logo](/themes/custom/tc_theme/assets/image/logo.png)
This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
[[image - logo of NNPA, the NATIONAL NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION]] NATIONAL NEWSPAPER PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION 33rd Annual Convention June 20-23, 1973 Houston Oaks, Houston, Texas Mrs. Lenore Carter, publisher of the Forward times, will be Hostess [[image - black & white photograph of man standing at podium in front of microphones]] Brief History of 145-Year-Old Black Press By Sherman Briscoe Executive Dir. NNPA The voice of one of the longest protests in history is the Black Press of America which celebrated its 145th anniversary last March. But it has been more than an effective voice of protest that has played a major role in every erg of resistance overcome; it has also stimulated attainments in education and self-improvement to help keep black people abreast of opportunities as they have achieved. It was in March of 1827 - more than 200 years after slavery had been established in America - that John B. Russwurm and the Rev. Samuel D. Cornish launched Freedom's Journal, the first black newspaper in the United States and the first black voice raised in newsprint against bondage. The Journal not only spoke out against slavery in the South and ill treatment of freed blacks in the North, but it also emphasized education, self-improvement, industry, and thrift on the part of freedmen. Within a little over a year, Russwurm, an 1826 graduate of Bowdoin College, became discouraged, left the paper and joined the American Colonization Society. He emigrated to Liberia where he served as superintendent of schools and governor of the Maryland colony until his death in 1851. Changes Name The Reverend Mr. Cornish, founder of the first black Presbyterian Church in American, continued briefly with the Journal, changing its name to "The Rights of All." OFFICERS PRESIDENT GARTH C. REEVES MIAMI TIMES VICE PRESIDENT CARLTON GOODLETT SAN FRANCISCO SUN-REPORTER SECRETARY WILLIAM H. LEE SACRAMENTO OBSERVER ASSISTANT SECRETARY MRS. LENORA CARTER HOUSTON FORWARD TIMES TREASURER HOWARD H. MURPHY AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS DIRECTORS KENNETH DREW NEW YORK QUEENS VOICE JESSE HILL ATLANTA INQUIRER D.L. INMAN THOMASVILLE-TALLAHASSEE NEWS EMORY O. JACKSON BIRMINGHAM WORLD JERELL JONES MILWAUKEE COURIER JOHN H. MURPHY III AFRO-AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS JOHN H. SENGSTACKE SENGSTACKE NEWSPAPERS FRANK L. STANLEY LOUISVILLE DEFENDER N.A. SWEETS ST. LOUIS AMERICAN HOWARD B. WOODS ST. LOUIS SENTINEL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHERMAN BRISCOE CREDO OF THE NEGRO PRESS The Negro Press believes that America can best lead the world away from radial and national antagonisms when it accords to every man, regardless of race, color, or creed, his human and legal rights. Hating no m an, fearing no m an, the Negro Press strives to help every man in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back. MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. BOX 1546 * WASHINGTON, D.C. 20013 55