kids encyclopedia robot

List of African American newspapers in Kansas facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Colored Radical 1876-08-24
Front page of the Colored Radical from 1876.
Negro Star front page Dec 17 1920
Front page of The Negro Star on December 17, 1920. It announced the NAACP's win in the Elaine Race Riot cases.

This article is about African American newspapers that have been published in Kansas. It includes both newspapers that are still being published today and those from the past.

Even though newspapers against slavery were printed in Kansas as early as 1854, the first Kansas newspaper made by and for African Americans was called the Colored Radical. It was published for a short time in Lawrence and Leavenworth in 1876. After 1876, when white supremacy grew stronger in the South and the Reconstruction era ended, many African Americans moved west. This led to a big increase in African American newspapers across Kansas until 1920.

Important African American Newspapers in Kansas

This section lists many important African American newspapers from Kansas. Some of these newspapers helped share news and ideas during important times in history.

City Title Beginning End Frequency Call numbers Remarks
Atchison The Atchison Blade
Blade		 1892 1898 Weekly
  • LCCN sn83040110, 2011254043
Atchison / Lawrence Western Recorder / The Western Recorder 1883 1884 Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254365, sn84029569
  • Started by John L. Waller.
  • Joined with the Topeka Tribune in 1885.
Cherokee The Kansas Homestead 1889 1900 Weekly
  • Edited and published by John L. Lewis.
Coffeyville Afro-American Advocate 1891 1893 Weekly
  • LCCN 2011254022, sn85031378
  • This paper was "Published to help the Negro race of Southeast Kansas and the Freedmen of the five civilized tribes of the Indian Territory.”
Coffeyville The American 1898 1899 Weekly
  • Published by Weaver & Fuller.
Coffeyville Coffeyville Herald 1908 ? Weekly
  • LCCN 2011254267, sn85030460
Coffeyville The Kansas Blackman 1894 1896 Weekly
Coffeyville The Vindicator
Vindicator		 1904 1906 Weekly
  • LCCN 2014254311, sn85031454
Emporia The Emporia Citizen
Emporia Citizen		 1932 1932 Monthly newspaper
  • LCCN 2011254364, sn85030235
  • Published by Rev. C.W. Arnold.
Fort Scott / Topeka The Colored Citizen
Colored Citizen		 1878 1880 Weekly
  • Published by Eagleson Brothers.
  • Its motto was: “AMERICA—Our Country! We Toiled for it in 1776; We Fought for it in 1812; and We Saved it in 1863.”
  • Moved to Topeka after six months.
Fort Scott The Fair Play 1898 1899 Weekly
  • LCCN 2011254370, sn83040417
  • Edited by Jonathan C. Wood.
Fort Scott The Messenger
Messenger		 1917 1918 Weekly
  • Edited by A.B. Johnson.
Fort Scott The Southern Argus 1891 1892 Weekly
  • LCCN 2014254313, sn84029136
  • Published by E.M. Woods.
  • Was also published in Baxter Springs from June to October 1891.
Hutchinson The Hutchinson Blade
Hutchinson Blade		 1914 or 1915? 1922? Weekly
  • ISSN 2575-1255 2575-1255
  • LCCN 2011254254, sn85030713
  • Different people edited and published this paper, including M.B. Brooks, Chester Lewis, Arthur Hughes, and Earl C. Patton.
Hutchinson The Hutchinson Journal
Hutchinson Journal		 1907? ? Weekly
  • LCCN 2012254020, sn85032519
Independence The People’s Elevator 1892 1931 Weekly
  • This paper was published in different cities over time: Guthrie, Oklahoma, and Wichita, Kansas.
Kansas City Kansas City Advocate
Kansas City Independent
Kansas City Advocate and Independent		 1914 1926 Weekly
  • ISSN 2576-0300 2576-0300
  • LCCN 2011254018, sn85032363
  • Published and edited by Thomas Kennedy.
Kansas City / Topeka The American Citizen 1887 or 1888 1909 Weekly
  • LCCN sn98062574, sn85032021
  • Published by John L. Waller and R.K. Morton.
  • Was published in Topeka from 1888 to 1889.
  • This was the first African American newspaper in Kansas to last longer than ten years.
Kansas City Daily American Citizen 1897 or 1898 1900 Daily (except Monday)
  • LCCN 2012254316, sn85066912
  • It was advertised as "the only Daily and Weekly Negro paper in this section of the Country.”
Kansas City The Kansas Elevator 1916 ? Weekly
Kansas City Kansas State Globe 1983 1980s Weekly
  • Edited by Samuel Jordan.
Kansas City National Review
The National Review		 1913 1913 Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254332, sn85066903
Kansas City / Topeka The Plaindealer
The Kansas City And Topeka Plaindealer (1932–1933)
Plaindealer (1933–1958)
The Topeka Plaindealer (1900–1932)		 1899 1958 Weekly
  • The Plaindealer (1899–1900):
    • LCCN 2014254026, sn84025820
  • Kansas City and Topeka Plaindealer:
    • LCCN 2014254024, sn85066913
  • The Topeka Plaindealer (1900–1932):
    • LCCN 2014254025, sn85067152
  • Plaindealer (1933–1958):
    • LCCN 2014254023, sn85032353, sn94081604
  • This paper was called "the oldest race newspaper in the Southwest."
  • J.H. Childers first edited it, and then Nick Chiles owned and edited it from 1905 to 1930.
Kansas City The Topics
Kansas Topics
Kansas City Topics		 1895 1800s Weekly
  • Published by John Homer Howlett & Co., and edited by John Homer Howlett.
Kansas City Western Christian Recorder 1800s 1899 Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254363, sn85032356
  • This was the official newspaper for the 5th Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church.
Kansas City Wyandotte Echo
The Wyandotte Echo		 1928 ? Weekly
  • ISSN 2577-8617 2577-8617
  • LCCN 2013254381, sn85032354
Lawrence Harambee
For Our People		 1971 1900s
Lawrence The Historic Times 1891 1891 Weekly
  • LCCN 2012254017, sn84029656
  • This paper joined with the Leavenworth Advocate to create the Topeka Times-Observer.
  • Edited by W.L. Grant.
Lawrence Lawrence Vindicator 1870s 1870s
  • We only know about this paper from other newspapers, as no copies have survived.
Leavenworth The Leavenworth Advocate 1889 1891 Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254029, sn85029302, sn85029303, 2013254028
  • This paper joined with the Lawrence Historic Times to create the Topeka Times-Observer.
  • Published by W.B. Townsend.
Leavenworth / Lawrence Colored Radical
The Colored Radical		 1876 1876 Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254032, sn85029266
  • Published by A. Williams. Edited by T.W. Henderson.
Leavenworth The Leavenworth Herald 1894 1899 Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254048, sn85029234
Nicodemus Nicodemus Cyclone 1887 1888 Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254347, sn84030038
  • This paper was formed when Western Cyclone and Nicodemus Enterprise merged.
Nicodemus Nicodemus Enterprise
The Nicodemus Enterprise		 1887 1887 Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254348, sn84030037
Nicodemus Western Cyclone 1886 1887 Weekly
  • Published by A.G. Tallman.
North Topeka Benevolent Banner
The Benevolent Banner		 1887 1887 Weekly
  • LCCN 2011254048, sn85032037
Parsons Eye Opener
The Eye Opener		 1892 1893 Weekly
  • LCCN 2011254367, sn85031556
  • Published by E.M. Woods.
Parsons The Parsons Weekly Blade
Parsons Blade
Blade		 1892 1901 or 1904 Weekly
  • LCCN 2014254015, sn84025818
Peru The Freeman's` Lance 1891 1892 Weekly
  • LCCN 2011254383, sn83040711
  • Published by W.A. Tanksley.
  • Was also published in Sedan, Kansas at times.
Pittsburg The Afro-American 1903 1904
  • Published by A.J. Lee.
  • No copies of this paper have survived.
Pittsburg Afro-American Review 1915 1915
Pittsburg The Pittsburg Plain Dealer 1899 1900 Weekly
  • This paper was followed by The Wichita searchlight.
  • Published by W.N. Miller.
Pittsburg The Uplift 1914 1914 Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254354, sn84029144
Salina The Black Word Is.. 1971 1976 Bimonthly newspaper or biweekly
  • This paper was continued by Ubiquity.
  • Published by the Black American Citizens Organization of Salina.
  • Edited by James Briscoe (also known as Jomo Kenyatta).
Salina Salina Enterprise
The Salina Enterprise		 1908 1909 Weekly
  • LCCN 2014254309, sn85032708
Stockton Western Globe 1902 ? Biweekly
  • Published and edited by D.J. Green.
Topeka The American Citizen 1888 1909 Weekly
  • LCCN 2011254031, sn85032031
  • Published by Waller & Morton.
Topeka The Baptist Headlight 1893 1894 Weekly
  • LCCN 2017225070, sn88086003
Topeka The Colored Citizen 1897 1900 Weekly
  • ISSN 2643-0983 2643-0983
  • LCCN 2017225074, sn85067023
  • Published by Eagleson & Holloway.
Topeka The Colored Patriot 1882 1800s Weekly
  • LCCN 2011254295, sn85067024
  • Published by attorney E.H. White.
Topeka Daily Ledger 1893 1893 Daily
  • Edited by Fred L. Jeltz.
Topeka Topeka Ebony Times 1973 1978
  • This paper was "committed to Black Liberation, Black Unity and Black Progress in a constructive manner."
Topeka The Evening Call 1891 1893 Daily (except Sunday)
  • LCCN 2011254366, sn85032047
Topeka Herald of Kansas
Kansas Weekly Herald
Kansas Herald		 1880 1880 Weekly
  • Herald of Kansas:
  • Kansas Weekly Herald:
    • LCCN 2012254008, sn85067092
  • Edited and published by H.C. Rutherford and W.L. Eagleson.
Topeka The Kansas Baptist Herald 1911 1910s Monthly newspaper
  • LCCN 2012254033, sn85067234
Topeka The Kansas Blackman 1894 ? Weekly
  • LCCN 2012254034, sn85067074
  • Published by W.D. Driver
Topeka Kansas Sentinel
The Kansas Sentinel		 1960 1964 Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254038, sn85067098
  • This paper stopped publishing in November 1960 and started again in June 1964.
  • Published by C & C Enterprises.
Topeka Kansas State Tribune
Topeka Tribune (1880)		 1880 1880s Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254039, sn85067249
  • Edited by attorney E.H. White.
  • Changed its name to Kansas State Tribune after switching its support from the Republican Party to the National Labor Greenback Party.
Topeka The Kansas Watchman 1903? ? Weekly
  • Published by G.W. Harts.
Topeka The Kansas Whip
Kansas Eagle
The Kansas American		 1933? 1956 Weekly
  • The Kansas Whip (1933–1934):
  • The Kansas Eagle (1934–1935):
  • The Kansas American (1936–1956):
  • LCCN sn85067073, 2013254382
  • In the 1930s, it was advertised as "the only colored democratic paper in Kansas."
Topeka The Little Weekly 1929? ? Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254303, sn85067122
  • We know it was still being published until at least 1938.
Topeka Topeka Messenger 1969 1970 Weekly
  • LCCN 2014254323, sn85067123
Topeka National Watchman
The National Watchman		 1905? ? Weekly
  • LCCN sn96080148, sn85067124, 2013254334
  • Published by P.C. Thomas.
Topeka Topeka Post-Review 1970 1900s Weekly
  • LCCN 2014254322, sn85067155
  • We know it was still being published until at least 1971.
Topeka The Topeka Sentinel 1994 Semimonthly
  • ISSN 1079-1965 1079-1965
  • LCCN sn940931
Topeka The State Ledger
Kansas State Ledger (1894–1906)
The Kansas State Ledger(1892–1894)		 1892 1906 Weekly
  • LCCN sn85067105, sn85067106
  • Published and edited by Fred L. Jeltz.
Topeka The Times-Observer 1891 1892 Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254030, sn85067184
Topeka The Topeka Tribune and Western Recorder 1885 1885 Weekly
  • LCCN 2014254316, sn85067189
Topeka The Weekly Call
The Topeka Call (1891–1893)		 1891 1898 Weekly
  • The Weekly Call:
    • LCCN 2014254049, sn85032048
  • The Topeka Call:
    • LCCN 2014254048, sn85032049
  • Edited by W.M. Pope.
Weir Weir City Eagle 1899 1900? Weekly
  • LCCN sn83041035, 2013254361
Wichita The American Times
American Times		 1908 ? Weekly
  • LCCN 2011254041, sn85032458
Wichita The Colored Citizen
Colored Citizen		 1902 1904 Weekly
  • LCCN sn85032421, 2011254293
  • Published by E. Harrison.
Wichita The Community Voice 1995 current Biweekly
  • ISSN 1090-3852 1090-3852
  • LCCN sn96003407
  • Official site: http://www.communityvoiceks.com/
  • Co-published by Billy and Wyvette McCray.
Wichita The Wichita Factarian
Wichita Factarian		 1913? 1914 Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254367, sn85032574
Wichita Wichita Globe 1887 1887 Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254368, sn85032447
  • Edited by D.L. Roberson.
Wichita Kansas Black Journal 1983 1985 Twice monthly
  • Published by L.V. Jack Hudson.
Wichita The Kansas Headlight 1894 1894 Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254036, sn85032460
  • Its motto was: "A fearless advocate of the rights of a worthy people."
  • Published by W.A. Bettis.
Wichita Kansas Sunflower
The Kansas Sunflower		 1890 1890 Weekly
  • Published by J.B. Gibbs.
Wichita Kansas Voice
The Kansas Voice		 1946? ? Unknown
  • LCCN 2013254041, sn85032470
  • Published by George Brock.
Wichita Kansas Weekly Journal 1970s or 1980 1981 Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254043, sn85032542
  • Published by L.V. Hudson.
Wichita Midwest News Press
The Midwest News Press		 1958? ? Bimonthly
  • LCCN sn85032472, 2013254315
  • We know it was still being published until at least 1959.
Wichita National Baptist World 1894 1894 Weekly
Wichita The National Reflector: for the Afro-American Race 1895 1897 or 1898 Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254333, sn85032590
Wichita The Negro Star 1908 1953 Weekly
  • ISSN 2642-7621 2642-7621
  • LCCN 2013254336, sn97016157, sn85032569
  • Published and edited by H.T. Sims.
Wichita News Hawk
The News Hawk		 1973? ? Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254346, sn85032473
  • Published and edited by Leonard Garrett.
Topeka The People’s Friend 1894 1896 Weekly
  • LCCN sn84025836, 2014254018
  • This paper was also published in Wichita on at least one date in December 1896.
  • Edited by William Jeltz.
Wichita Wichita Post Observer
The Post Observer		 1953 1954 Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254369
  • The Post Observer:
    • LCCN 2013254370, sn85032583
Wichita The Wichita Protest 1918? ? Weekly
  • Edited by W. A. Bettis.
Wichita The Wichita Searchlight
The Searchlight		 1900 1912 Weekly
  • LCCN 2013254372, sn85032585
  • Published by Miller & Lewis.
Wichita The Wichita Times 1970 1977? Weekly
  • LCCN sn85032541, 2013254373
  • L.V. "Jack" Hudson.
Wichita Wichita Tribune
The Wichita Tribune		 1898 1899 Weekly
  • Published by Robinson & Covington.

See also

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
List of African American newspapers in Kansas Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.