List of African American newspapers in Arkansas facts for kids

Front page of the Arkansas Freeman from 1869.

This article is about African American newspapers that were published in Arkansas. These newspapers were very important because they gave a voice to African American communities, shared their stories, and helped fight for equal rights. The very first newspaper of this kind in Arkansas was the Arkansas Freeman, which started in Little Rock in 1869.

A Voice for the Community

African American newspapers played a huge role in the lives of Black people, especially during times when they faced a lot of challenges and unfair treatment. These papers were more than just news; they were places where people could share their ideas, celebrate their culture, and organize for change. They often reported on important events that other newspapers might ignore, like civil rights efforts, community achievements, and local news from Black neighborhoods.

Key Newspapers and Their Impact

Some newspapers stood out for their special contributions:

• Arkansas Freeman: This was the first African American newspaper in Arkansas, starting in 1869. It was published and edited by Tabbs Gross. It helped set the stage for many other Black newspapers to follow.
• Arkansas State Press: This newspaper, launched in 1941 in Little Rock, was incredibly important in the fight against segregation. It was published by L. Christopher Bates and the famous civil rights activist Daisy Bates. They used the paper to speak out against unfair laws and practices, playing a big part in the Civil Rights Movement in Arkansas. It later restarted in 1984, dedicated to L. Christopher Bates' memory.
• Arkansas Weekly Mansion: Published in Little Rock from 1880 to 1886, this paper was edited by Henry Simkens. It was known for its unique stance on important court decisions of the time.

Newspapers Across Arkansas

Many other African American newspapers were published in different cities across Arkansas. They all helped to inform and connect their communities.

Newspapers in Baxter

• The Baxter Vidette: This paper was published twice a month in Baxter, Drew County, starting in 1902.

Newspapers in Earle

• The Eastern Arkansas World: A weekly newspaper from Earle, it began publishing in 1940.

Newspapers in Fayetteville

• Times: This newspaper was published in Fayetteville from 1976 to 1977.

Newspapers in Forrest City

• The Forrest City Herald: A weekly paper from Forrest City, it started in 1896. Its motto was: "Never Give Up."
• Homeland / Home With Homeland: This monthly newspaper from Forrest City started in 1991. It was edited by Henerine Hunter and published by Curtis Varnado.
• The Southern Liberator: This paper from Forrest City was the official newspaper of the Southern Liberal Organization. It was published around 1936.

Newspapers in Fort Smith

• The Appreciator-Union: Published in Fort Smith, this paper was active around 1911.

Newspapers in Helena

• The Inter State Reporter: A weekly newspaper from Helena, possibly starting around 1886.
• The New Era: This weekly paper from Helena began in 1891.
• The Reporter: Published twice a month in Helena from 1891 to 1907, it was edited by W.A. Holmes.

Newspapers in Hot Springs

• The Arkansas Citizen / The Citizen: This newspaper from Hot Springs was published every two weeks from 1958 to the late 1970s or early 1980s. Kenneth Adair published and edited it.
• Hot Springs Echo: A weekly paper from Hot Springs, possibly starting in 1901. Edward S. Lockhart was its editor.
• The Negro Voice: This weekly newspaper from Hot Springs started in 1933.

Newspapers in Jacksonville and Little Rock

• Southern Mediator / Southern Mediator Journal: This weekly newspaper started in 1938. It was published in Jacksonville and later in Little Rock.

More Newspapers in Little Rock

• The American Guide: A weekly newspaper in Little Rock from 1889 to 1906, edited by D.G. Hill.
• Arkansas Carrier: This weekly paper from Little Rock started around 1976.
• Arkansas Survey: A weekly newspaper in Little Rock from 1923 to 1935.
• Arkansas Survey-Journal: This weekly paper continued the Arkansas Survey from 1935 into the 1950s.
• Arkansas Tribune: A weekly newspaper published in Little Rock in 1973.
• Arkansas Weekly Sentinel: This weekly paper from Little Rock was published from 1978 into the 1980s by J.F. Cooley.
• The Arkansas World: A weekly newspaper in Little Rock from 1940 to 1957. It was published by A.G. Shields Jr. and edited by P.L. Dorman.
• The Baptist Vanguard: Published twice a month in Little Rock, this paper was active around 1893.
• The Black Consumer / The Consumer: A weekly newspaper in Little Rock, starting in 1972. David W. Walters edited and published it.
• The Mosaic Guide: This weekly paper from Little Rock was active from around 1898 to at least 1909.
• The Little Rock Reporter: A weekly newspaper in Little Rock from 1901 or 1902 to 1906.
• The Southern Christian Recorder: A weekly newspaper from Little Rock, possibly starting around 1885.
• State Weekly News: This weekly paper from Little Rock was published from 1976 to 1977 by Clarence H. Guy.
• The Twin City Press / Twin City Press: A weekly newspaper from Little Rock, published by Southern Recorder Publishing Company, active around 1930s or 1940.
• The World Picture Magazine: A monthly magazine from Little Rock, active in the 1950s.

Newspapers in Pine Bluff

• Arkansas Dispatch: This newspaper from Pine Bluff started in 1962 and was edited by Elijah Coleman.
• The Arkansas Mirror: A weekly newspaper from Pine Bluff, published from 1967 to 1970.
• The Negro Spokesman: A weekly newspaper from Pine Bluff, active around 1941.
• Pine Bluff Press: This weekly paper from Pine Bluff started in 1940 and was published by A.R.D. Thompson.
• The Weekly Echo: A weekly newspaper from Pine Bluff, active in the 1880s. Jesse C. Duke edited it in 1892.
• Pine Bluff Weekly Herald: A weekly newspaper from Pine Bluff, published from 1900 to 1907.

Newspapers in West Memphis

• Many Voices: This newspaper from West Memphis started in 1971 and was published every two weeks, though sometimes irregularly.

See also

• List of African American newspapers and media outlets
• List of African American newspapers in Mississippi
• List of African American newspapers in Missouri
• List of African American newspapers in Oklahoma
• List of African American newspapers in Tennessee
• List of African American newspapers in Texas
• List of newspapers in Arkansas