List of African American newspapers in Nebraska facts for kids
This article is about the history of African American newspapers that were published in Nebraska. These newspapers were very important because they shared news and ideas that mattered to the African American community. They helped people stay connected and informed during times when their voices might not have been heard in other places.
Most of these newspapers were published in Omaha. This is because Omaha was home to most of Nebraska's African American population. A smaller number of papers were also published in Lincoln.
The very first African American newspaper in Nebraska was likely the Western Post. It started in Hastings in 1876 but didn't last long. The first successful papers began in the 1890s. The most famous and longest-running newspaper is The Omaha Star. It started in 1938 and is still being published today!
Contents
Why Were These Newspapers Important?
African American newspapers played a huge role in their communities. They were more than just news sources. They were places where people could read about local events, celebrate achievements, and discuss important issues. They also helped fight for civil rights and equality. These papers gave a voice to people who were often ignored by mainstream newspapers.
Early Newspapers in Nebraska
The first African American newspaper we know about in Nebraska was the Western Post. It was published in Hastings in 1876. Sadly, no copies of this paper still exist today.
In Lincoln, one of the first papers was the Leader, started around 1899. Later, papers like the Colored People’s Advocate and The Review also appeared in Lincoln. Many of these early papers were short-lived, meaning they only published for a year or two.
Newspapers in Omaha
Omaha, with its larger African American population, had many more newspapers.
The Enterprise and The Afro-American Sentinel
Two important early newspapers in Omaha were The Enterprise (started in 1893) and The Afro-American Sentinel (started around 1893 or 1896). The Enterprise was known as the official paper for the Nebraska State Afro-American League. It was edited by people like Ella Mahammitt.
The Omaha Monitor and The New Era
Later, papers like The Omaha Monitor (1915-1929) and The New Era (1920 or 1922-1926) became popular. The Omaha Monitor aimed to be a "national weekly newspaper" for African Americans. The New Era was edited for a time by George Wells Parker.
The Omaha Guide
The Omaha Guide was another significant paper in Omaha, published from 1927 to 1958. It was a weekly paper that served the community for over 30 years.
The Omaha Star: A Lasting Legacy
By far the most successful and longest-running African American newspaper in Nebraska is The Omaha Star. It was founded in 1938 by Mildred Brown. She had previously worked for The Omaha Guide. The Omaha Star is still published today, showing its strong connection to the community. It started as a weekly paper and is now published every two weeks.
Other Notable Newspapers
Many other newspapers were published for shorter periods, reflecting the changing needs and times of the community. These included:
- Omaha Advocate (1923-1925)
- American Record (1945-1948?)
- Omaha Chronicle (1934-1936)
- Omaha Journal (1930s)
- Metro Star Times (1990-1991)
- Progressive Age (1913-1915?)
- The Omaha Whip (1921) - This paper was very short-lived, publishing only two issues.
Even if some of these papers only lasted a short time, they all played a part in sharing news and supporting the African American community in Nebraska.
See also
- African Americans in Omaha, Nebraska
- List of African American newspapers and media outlets
- List of African American newspapers in Colorado
- List of African American newspapers in Iowa
- List of African American newspapers in Kansas
- List of African American newspapers in Missouri
- List of newspapers in Nebraska
Elsewhere online
- "A history of African American newspapers in North Omaha," by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com.
