List of African American newspapers in Missouri facts for kids
Imagine a time when news about your community wasn't easy to find. For African Americans in Missouri, newspapers created by and for their communities were super important! These papers shared news, celebrated achievements, and fought for fairness when other newspapers often ignored or misrepresented them.
The very first known African American newspaper in Missouri was called Welcome Friend, published in St. Louis around 1870. Sadly, no copies of it have survived. The oldest surviving newspaper issue we have is from The American Negro, published in Springfield in 1890.
Over the years, at least 64 African American newspapers have been published in Missouri. Most of these started between 1875 and 1920, a time of big changes and challenges for Black communities. Many were published in big cities like St. Louis and Kansas City, but smaller towns had their own important papers too.
Today, some important African American newspapers in Missouri include the St. Louis Sentinel, St. Louis American, and Kansas City Globe. They continue to serve their communities by providing news and a voice.
Contents
Why Were These Newspapers So Important?
These newspapers were more than just news sources. They were vital for many reasons:
- Sharing News: They reported on local, national, and international events that mattered to African American communities, which mainstream papers often ignored.
- Building Community: They connected people, shared stories of success, and helped organize community events.
- Fighting for Rights: Many papers spoke out against unfairness and supported the fight for equal rights. They were a powerful voice for change.
- Celebrating Culture: They highlighted Black culture, art, and achievements, helping to build pride and identity.
A Look at Some Historic Newspapers
Many newspapers played a big role in Missouri's history. Here are a few examples:
The Professional World
The Professional World was a weekly newspaper published from 1901 to the early 1920s, first in Columbia and then in Jefferson City. It was edited by Rufus L. Logan and focused on important issues for Black professionals and the wider community.
The Call (Kansas City)
The Call started in Kansas City in 1919 and is still published today! It's a weekly newspaper that has been a strong voice for the African American community in Kansas City for over a century. It's one of the longest-running Black newspapers in the state.
The Kansas City Sun
The Kansas City Sun was a weekly newspaper published in Kansas City from 1908 to 1924. It was an important paper that shared news and opinions with its readers. The image at the top of this page shows a front page from this very newspaper!
The Sedalia Times
The Sedalia Times was a weekly newspaper published in Sedalia from 1893 or 1894 until 1905. It's special because it's one of the earliest African American newspapers in Missouri for which we have many surviving issues, giving us a great look into the past.
Sedalia Weekly Conservator
Another important paper from Sedalia was the Sedalia Weekly Conservator, published from 1903 to 1909. It was even published at George R. Smith College, an important Black college at the time.
The St. Louis American
The St. Louis American began in 1927 and is still going strong today! It's a weekly newspaper that has served the St. Louis African American community for decades, providing news and a platform for discussion.
The St. Louis Argus
The St. Louis Argus started in St. Louis in 1912. This weekly paper has been a significant voice in the community for over a hundred years, reporting on local events and advocating for civil rights.
The Evening Whirl
The Evening Whirl is a unique weekly newspaper from St. Louis that started in 1938 and is still published. It's known for its focus on local crime and community news.
St. Louis Sentinel
The St. Louis Sentinel is another current weekly newspaper in St. Louis, founded in 1968 by Howard B. Woods. It continues to be an important source of news and information for the community.
Images for kids
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A front page of the Kansas City Sun from 1914. This newspaper helped share important news and ideas.
See also
- List of African American newspapers and media outlets
- List of African American newspapers in Arkansas
- List of African American newspapers in Illinois
- List of African American newspapers in Iowa
- List of African American newspapers in Kansas
- List of African American newspapers in Nebraska
- List of African American newspapers in Oklahoma
- List of African American newspapers in Tennessee
- List of newspapers in Missouri
