Howard University served as the central hub for a series of vital conversations this week, hosting its annual Black Press Week from March 16-20. The five-day event, organized by the National Newspaper Publishers Fund and Howard’s Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, brought together journalists, publishers, students, and community leaders to examine the evolving landscape of Black-owned media as it approaches its bicentennial. This year’s convening focused on the theme “Truth, Trust, and Technology: Approaching 200 Years of the Black Press in a Transforming Information Age,” a timely exploration of the challenges and opportunities facing an institution deeply rooted in American history.
The week’s programming coincided with the 197th anniversary of Freedom’s Journal, widely recognized as the first Black-owned and operated newspaper in the United States, established on March 16, 1827. The event wasn’t simply a historical retrospective; it was a forward-looking discussion about how Black media can maintain its crucial role in preserving truth, advancing equity, and strengthening community trust in an era defined by rapid technological change and increasing concerns about misinformation.
A highlight of Black Press Week was Black Press Day on March 18, held at Howard’s Blackburn Center. The day featured the State of the Black Press address delivered by Rev. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. During the address, Chavis framed the Black press as more than just a business, describing it as “a moral and historical record” and asserting that its mission extends far beyond simply delivering news, encompassing “freedom, justice, dignity, and self-determination.” The day also included the enshrinement of Bernal E. Smith II, publisher of the New Tri-State Defender, into the NNPA Gallery of Distinguished Publishers, recognizing his contributions to the field.
Preserving the Past Through Digital Archives
A significant portion of the week’s discussions centered on the importance of preserving the historical record of the Black press. Dr. Benjamin Talton, professor of history and executive director of Moorland-Spingarn, highlighted the role of Howard University’s student newspaper, The Hilltop, as an integral part of this broader tradition. Talton emphasized that the paper was founded on the principle that Black people must have the agency to notify “their own stories on their own terms and with their own voices.”
The Moorland-Spingarn Research Center’s Black Press Archive Digitization Project was repeatedly lauded as a critical undertaking. The project aims to preserve fragile historical documents, ensuring that the perform of generations of Black editors and publishers is not lost to time. One moderator during an AI-focused panel even described the archive as a “superpower” and “our lifeline” to understanding the evolution of Black journalism. The archive is accessible at https://dh.howard.edu/bpa_archives/.
Navigating the Age of Artificial Intelligence
The rise of artificial intelligence and its potential impact on the media landscape was a central theme throughout Black Press Week. A fireside chat featured Ra-Jah S. Kelly, chief officer of technology at The Washington Informer; Paris Brown, publisher of The Baltimore Times; Dr. Ingrid Sturgis, an associate dean in the Cathy Hughes School of Communications; and Alexandria Green-Jones, CEO and founder of AG Media Agency. The discussion was moderated by Philip Lewis, deputy editor at HuffPost.
Panelists consistently framed AI as a tool to be leveraged, rather than a replacement for human journalism. Lewis described AI as “a partner, but a very unreliable partner,” even as Kelly stressed that the work of Black media encompasses more than just text generation, requiring a continued “human in the loop.” Publishers discussed utilizing AI to streamline tasks like design and distribution, particularly for smaller newsrooms with limited staff, but also emphasized the importance of transparency regarding its use. Brown cautioned that with opportunity comes responsibility, highlighting the demand for ethical considerations.
The Importance of Trust and Transparency
The need for maintaining trust with audiences emerged as a clear throughline throughout the week’s conversations. Panelists emphasized that Black media organizations must be upfront with their readers about how AI is being used, whether in image generation, workflow support, or audience engagement. Dr. Sturgis succinctly summarized the consensus: “Transparency. Transparency. Transparency.”
This focus on trust reflects the core purpose of Black Press Week: to honor the nearly two-century legacy of Black journalism while preparing the institution for the future. The goal is to navigate the changing media landscape without sacrificing the credibility, community connection, and commitment to truth-telling that have defined the Black press since its inception.
“The event was a tremendous success,” said Brandon Nightingale, senior program manager at Moorland-Spingarn. “It brought together scholars, students, and the broader community to reflect on the legacy of the Black press while also highlighting the innovative work happening through the Black Press Archives Digitization Project.” Aaron Jacobs, Moorland-Spingarn’s program manager, added that the week was “full of energy, important conversations, and plenty of moments that reminded me why this work matters. It was a celebration, a showcase, and a reminder of the power of the Black press.”
Looking ahead, the National Newspaper Publishers Association and Howard University’s Moorland-Spingarn Research Center will continue their partnership to support and preserve Black-owned media. The ongoing digitization of the Black Press Archive remains a priority, ensuring that this vital historical record is accessible to future generations. The next steps involve expanding the archive’s reach and developing new educational resources based on its contents.
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