List of African American newspapers in Indiana facts for kids

Front page of the Indianapolis Leader, one of Indiana's first African American newspapers.

Newspaper rack with issues of the Gary Crusader in 2020.

African American newspapers have a long and important history in Indiana. These newspapers were special because they shared news and stories important to Black communities. They often covered topics that other newspapers at the time didn't, like civil rights, local events, and achievements of African Americans.

The very first known African American newspaper in Indiana was the Our Age, published in Evansville around 1878. Other early newspapers, like the Indianapolis Leader and the Colored Visitor from Logansport, started shortly after in 1879.

Many of these newspapers were started before 1915, when the Great Migration began. This was a time when many African Americans moved from the Southern states to the North. Even though many newspapers didn't last long (only about a quarter lasted more than five years), new ones kept appearing throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.

Most African American newspapers in Indiana were published in big cities like Indianapolis and Evansville. In northern Indiana, Gary had the most. Some newspapers were published only sometimes, especially in the 1800s. These were often political papers made for specific elections.

Today, some important African American newspapers still being published in Indiana include the Gary Crusader, the Indianapolis Recorder, the Fort Wayne Ink Spot, and Evansville's Our Times Newspaper.

Newspapers in Northern Indiana

Northern Indiana is the top part of the state. It includes busy industrial areas like the Calumet Region and cities such as South Bend, Fort Wayne, and Logansport. Many African American newspapers were published here, sharing local news and community stories.

Newspapers in Central Indiana

Central Indiana is the middle part of the state. It's home to the state capital, Indianapolis, and other cities like Anderson, Muncie, and Terre Haute. Many important African American newspapers were published in this region.

Newspapers in Southern Indiana

Southern Indiana is the bottom part of the state. It includes Indiana's third-largest city, Evansville, and other towns along the Ohio River. This region also had many African American newspapers that served their communities.

See also

• List of African American newspapers and media outlets
• List of African American newspapers in Illinois
• List of African American newspapers in Michigan
• List of African American newspapers in Ohio
• List of newspapers in Indiana