List of African American newspapers in Michigan facts for kids

African American newspapers in Michigan are special publications that have shared news, stories, and opinions for Black communities. These newspapers were very important because, for a long time, many mainstream newspapers didn't cover news about Black people or often showed them in a negative way. These papers gave a voice to the community, helped people stay connected, and supported important movements for equality.

The first known African American newspaper in Michigan was The Venture, which started in 1879. A few years later, in 1883, the Detroit Plaindealer began publishing. Both of these early papers helped pave the way for many others across the state.

Newspapers by City

Adrian

• Afro-American Journal and Directory (1895): This newspaper was published in Adrian. It might have only printed one issue.

Ann Arbor

• Michigan Age (1918–1920s): This paper was edited by G.W. Wright in Ann Arbor.
• People's Advocate (1972–1900s): Published by Jeanne Fox, this paper came out sometimes or three times a week.
• The Washington Enquirer (1995–?): This was a weekly newspaper in Ann Arbor.

Benton Harbor

• The Citizen (1970s–?): A weekly newspaper from Benton Harbor. It was active between 1984 and 1986.

Detroit

• American Catholic Tribune (1885–1890s): This paper was published in Detroit for a time, but also in Cincinnati, Ohio.
• The Detroit Advocate (1900 or 1901–1901?): A weekly paper published by D. Augustus Straker.
• Black Alleged News (1900s): This paper was active around 1981.
• Blade Express (1938): A short-lived newspaper in Detroit.
• Changeover (1970–1970s): This was a monthly newspaper.
• The Detroit Contender (1920–1921? or 1922): A weekly paper edited by Robert L. Poston.
• Correspondence (1956–1963?): This was a monthly newspaper.
• Detroit Courier (1966–1967): Another weekly paper from Detroit.
• Detroit's News & Views (1960s–1900s): Also known as Community Views, this weekly paper was active from at least 1964 to 1970.
• Detroit Epic News (1960s–1900s): This paper was published sometimes and was active until at least 1972.
• Garvey's Voice (1950s–1900s): A monthly newspaper active in 1953.
• The Ghetto Speaks (1971?–?): This biweekly paper was edited by Harvey Grant. It aimed to give the community a place to talk about racism.
• Guardian (1938): Edited by Charles Roxborough, some sources say it started earlier.
• The Detroit Herald (1916–1916?): A weekly paper edited and published by George E. Smedley.
• Illustrated News (1961–1964): This paper was published in Detroit.
• The Detroit Independent (1922 or 1923–1931? or 1938): A weekly paper edited by William J. Robinson.
• The Detroit Informer (1897–1916): This was a weekly newspaper.
• Inner-city Voice (1967–1971): Also called Sauti, the Inner-City Voice for a short time, this monthly paper was the "Organ of the League of Revolutionary Black Worker[s]."
• The Interracial Review (1900s): A monthly paper active from at least 1944, edited by Mason Smith.
• Detroit Journal (1967–1900s): A weekly newspaper.
• Judgment (1900s): This weekly paper was active from at least 1970.
• The Detroit Leader (1910–1923): A weekly paper active from at least 1910.
• Michigan Chronicle (1936–current): This is a very important weekly newspaper that is still published today. It was founded by Louis E. Martin and is now owned by Real Times Media.
• The Michigan FrontPage (2000–current): Another weekly newspaper that is still published. It was also bought by Real Times Media in 2003.
• Michigan Scene (1966): A short-lived paper.
• Michigan World (1930s): Edited by Petry Fisher.
• National Independent (1891–1903): A weekly newspaper.
• New Era (1920s): Published in Detroit.
• New World (1938): Another paper published in Detroit.
• Northwest News (1922–1938): A Detroit newspaper.
• The Oakland Lion (1969–1969?): This was a biweekly paper.
• The Owl (1926–?): A weekly paper edited by John W. Roxborough and H.C. Patton, active until at least 1929.
• Paradise Valley News (1937): A weekly paper edited by Roy L. Lightfoot, focusing on the historic Paradise Valley neighborhood.
• The Detroit Peoples News (1925?–1930?): A weekly paper active in 1927, edited by Beulah Young.
• The Plaindealer (1883–1895 or 1893): Also known as Detroit Plaindealer, this weekly paper is sometimes seen as the first African American newspaper in Detroit.
• Point Of Production (1972–?): This monthly paper was the official newspaper of the Black Workers Congress.
• Detroit Republic (1890s–?): This paper called itself "the official colored Republican organ of the state" and was active in 1896.
• The Detroit Sun (1944?): A weekly paper.
• Detroit Telegram (1920s): Edited by E. Adams.
• Detroit Tribune (1922 or 1933–1966): This weekly paper was also known as The Tribune Independent Of Michigan for a few years.
• The Vanguard (1962–?): A monthly paper active from at least 1970.
• The Venture (1879–1882): This monthly paper was published by Benjamin Pelham and focused mostly on literature.
• Detroit World (1931–1932): This paper was part of the Scott Newspaper Syndicate.

East Lansing

• The Chronicle (1988–current): This is a weekly newspaper that is still published in East Lansing.

Ecorse

• The Telegram (1943? or 1944–current): This weekly paper is still published in Ecorse.

Flint

• The Bronze Reporter (1953–1900s): A weekly paper published by John W. Caldwell in Flint.
• Flint Brownies News (1939–1900s): This weekly paper was also known as Flint Brownsville Weekly News and Flint Brownsville News.
• The Courier (1982?–?): A weekly paper edited by Avery Aldridge.
• Enterprise (1920–1923): Published in Flint.
• The Flint Mirror (1964–1900s): Also called The Mirror, this paper came out twice a month or monthly. It was edited by Edward Jones.
• The North Star (1955–1900s): A weekly newspaper.
• The Flint Spokesman (1946–1900s): This weekly paper was published by Frank L. Gillespie and was active until at least 1979.

Fowler

• The Lansing Post (1963–?): A monthly newspaper published in Fowler.

Grand Rapids

• Afro-American Gazette (1991–1996?): A weekly paper published by Patricia Grier in Grand Rapids.
• Michigan State News (1911–1926): Edited by G.W. Smith.
• The Organizer (1969–1980s): Published in Grand Rapids.
• Times (1957–current): Also known as The Grand Rapids Times, this weekly paper is still published today. It was published by John Bankston.

Highland Park

• Michigan Citizen (1978–2014): A weekly paper published by Charles D. Kelly in Highland Park.

Idlewild

• The Challenger (1900s–?): This paper came out twice a month and was active from at least 1951 in Idlewild.

Inkster

• Voice (1948–?): Also called Inkster Voice, this weekly paper was edited by Frank M. Seymour. Its circulation changed over the years.

Jackson

• The Blazer News (1962 or 1963–current): This weekly newspaper is still published in Jackson.

Kalamazoo

• The Community Courier (1972 or 1973–1900s): A weekly paper from Kalamazoo.
• Focus News (1965–?): A monthly newspaper.
• Star Reporter (1964–1960s): A weekly paper published by Mall City Pub. Co.
• The Kalamazoo Weekly Star (1963–1900s): Also known as Weekly Star or Kalamazoo Weekly Star, this weekly paper was published by Reuben Cummings.

Lansing

• Eye Opener (1930–1931): Published in Lansing.
• The Inner City Times (1968–1900s): A weekly newspaper.
• The Metroplex Michigan (1980s–1990s): This paper was sometimes published and was followed by Metroplex News.
• The Metroplex Michigan (1987?–?): Also known as Metroplex News, this paper came out every two weeks or sometimes. It was published by Conrad B. Parrish and was active until at least 1994.
• The Michigan Bulletin (1995–current): This free newspaper is still published in Lansing, either monthly or every two weeks.
• Michigan State Echo (1938–Weekly): This was the first of the Echo newspapers started by Leroy G. White.
• The New Citizens Press (2002–current): This biweekly newspaper is still published today.
• Response (1980s–?): A monthly paper active until at least 1981.
• The Lansing Times (1975–?): A weekly newspaper.
• Westside News (1969–?): A weekly newspaper.

Lathrup Village

• Michigan Sentinel (1991–?): A monthly newspaper published by Elaine Campbell in Lathrup Village.

Pontiac

• The Pontiac Commentator (1947–?): A weekly paper from Pontiac.
• Pontiac-Auburn Citizen’s Post (1987?–?): A weekly paper published by Dave Morris, active until at least 1995.

Royal Oak

• The Peaceful Valley Journal (1900s): A weekly paper active from at least 1952 in Royal Oak.

Saginaw

• The Saginaw Afro Herald (1967?–?): A weekly paper published by United Power in Saginaw. Its motto was "To inform, involve and unite."
• Saginaw Banner (1995?–?): A weekly paper published by D. Lyons.

See also

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