Two Milestones. One Mission: Sustain the Black Press for Generations to come
When Samuel Cornish and John Brown Russwurm helped launch Freedom’s Journal, they weren’t simply starting a newspaper; they were staking a claim. One that said, “our stories deserve to be told by us, and our communities deserve information that serves us.”
In 2027, the Black Press will commemorate 200 years of truth-telling, advocacy, and impact in our communities, an American legacy that traces back to Freedom’s Journal, the first Black-owned and Black-operated newspaper in the United States, founded in New York City with its inaugural issue published on March 16, 1827.
This year, the NNPA Fund proudly celebrates 50 years of strengthening and supporting Black-owned newspapers and the legacy of Black journalism. Established in 1976 as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3), the NNPA Fund advances scholastic and professional initiatives designed to preserve and protect the legacy of the Black Press, and to prepare the next generation to make meaningful contributions to media and community life.
As we look toward 2027 and the 200-year commemoration of the Black Press, and as we mark 50 years of the NNPA Fund’s work, we are asking supporters across the country, individuals, families, alumni, philanthropists, corporate partners, and community stakeholders, to invest in the next chapter.
Your donation supports:
–Programs and initiatives that uphold high standards in ethnic media, while supporting the legacy and future of Black journalism.
–Scholarships and hands-on training that prepare emerging journalists for careers rooted in excellence and service.
–Internships and professional development opportunities that help students gain real newsroom skills, mentorship, and industry access.
Black-owned community newspapers continue to play a vital role in local civic life, from school board decisions to small business spotlights, health education, and voter engagement. Through the Black Press and the National Newspaper Publishers Association, a trade association of more than 200 African American-owned community newspapers, this network remains one of the most enduring communications infrastructures in Black America.
This campaign is about more than funding operations. It’s about ensuring that the Black Press is resourced to keep informing, advocating, and documenting our communities with credibility and care. Sustaining Black-owned media takes real investment to support the pipelines, training, and capacity that keep newsrooms strong.
To donate: Visit the NNPA Fund website and select your donation amount. https://nnpafund.org/donate/
For Media/partnerships and inquiries email executivedirector@nnpafund.org