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List of African American newspapers in Washington (state) facts for kids

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For the Washington, D.C. list, see List of African American newspapers in Washington, D.C.
Seattle Republican 1896-08-22
Front page of Horace R. Cayton's The Republican from August 22, 1896.
Seattle - The Facts 01
Headquarters of The Facts in Seattle.

This article is about African American newspapers that have been published in Washington State. These newspapers were (and still are!) important for sharing news and stories from the Black community. They helped people stay connected and informed about important events and issues.

The very first African American newspaper in Washington was the Seattle Standard, which started in 1890. Today, some well-known newspapers in Washington include The Facts and the Seattle Medium.

Early Black Newspapers in Washington

African American newspapers have a long history in Washington. They often played a big role in fighting for civil rights and sharing community news.

  • The Seattle Standard was the first Black newspaper in Seattle. It started in 1890 or 1891. Brittain Oxendine, a former politician, founded it. Later, Horace R. Cayton Sr. took it over.
  • The Seattle Republican started in 1894. It was also published by Horace R. Cayton Sr.. This newspaper was very successful for its time. It stopped publishing in 1915.
  • Cayton's Weekly was another important paper by Horace R. Cayton Sr. It ran from 1916 to 1921. It later became Cayton's Monthly.
  • The Northwest Illuminator was a weekly or monthly paper from 1897 to 1898. It was edited by George E. Watkins.
  • The World was a weekly newspaper published in Seattle from 1898 to 1903 or 1914. Daniel Webster Griffin edited it.

Newspapers in Seattle

Seattle has been home to many African American newspapers over the years.

  • The Advertiser’s Weekly Messenger started in 1964.
  • The Afro-American Journal was a weekly paper from 1967 to 1972.
  • The Bee had two different versions. One ran from the 1890s to 1900, edited by Daniel Webster Griffin. Another Bee started in 1906, edited by Walter Griffin.
  • The Builder was a weekly paper that stopped publishing in 1954.
  • The Seattle Dispatch was a weekly paper from 1946 or 1947 to 1948. It used to be called The Pacific Dispatch.
  • Northwest Enterprise was a weekly newspaper that started in 1920 or 1921. It was also known as The Seattle Enterprise. It ran until 1952 or 1962.
  • The Facts is a current weekly newspaper. It started in 1961 or 1962 and is still publishing today. It is also known as The NW Facts.
  • K-Zam Kazette was a weekly paper from 1962 to 1975.
  • Seattle Medium is another current weekly newspaper. It started in 1970 and is still publishing. It was first known as The Medium.
  • The Messenger was a weekly paper that ran from 1964 into the 1960s.
  • The News Forum was a biweekly paper that was active in the 1960s.
  • The Northwest Bulletin was a newspaper published twice a month from 1937 to 1940.
  • The Northwest Herald was a weekly paper from 1943 to 1946.
  • The Seattle Observer was a weekly paper that ran in 1964.
  • The Pacific Leader was a weekly or twice-monthly paper from 1952 to 1956.
  • Pacific Northwest Bulletin was a newspaper published twice a month from 1936 to 1949. George M. Francis published it.
  • The Progressive Herald was a weekly and monthly paper from 1933 into the 1930s.
  • The Puget Sound Observer ran from 1954 or 1957 to 1961. It changed its name to Puget Sound and Inland Empire Observer for a short time. Robert Albert published it.
  • The Renaissance Courier was a weekly paper that started in 1969. H. A. Monroe Jr. edited it.
  • The Searchlight was published from 1903 or 1905 to 1925. Rev. S.S. Freeman founded it.
  • The Skanner is a current weekly newspaper that started in 1990. It is published in both Seattle and Portland, Oregon.
  • Trumpet was a monthly newspaper from 1966 or 1967 to 1970. It was the official paper of the Central Area Motivation Program.
  • The Western Sun was a weekly paper from 1898 to 1900. Daniel Webster Griffin also edited this paper.

Newspapers in Spokane

Spokane has also had its share of African American newspapers.

  • The Citizen was a weekly paper from 1908 to 1913. Charles Parker and Charles Barrow published it. It aimed to promote the interests of the Black community in the Pacific Southwest.
  • The Washington Exponent was a paper from 1900. John and Ella Ryan founded it. It supported the Democratic Party.
  • The Forum was a monthly newspaper from 1908 or 1909 to 1912. Rev. J. Gordon McPherson founded it.
  • The Northwest Echo was a weekly paper from 1896. Adolphus D. Griffin founded it before moving to Oregon.
  • The Northwest Review-Bulletin started in 1936 and was published twice a month.
  • The Star was a weekly paper that started in 1946.
  • The Voice of the West was a weekly paper from 1913 to 1915.
  • Black Lens is a current monthly newspaper. It started in 2015 and was founded by Sandra Williams.

Newspapers in Tacoma

Tacoma has also had several important African American newspapers.

  • The Kitsap County Dispatch was a weekly paper from 1989 to 1998. Virginia Taylor published it.
  • The Sunday Morning Echo was a weekly paper from 1907 to 1912. It focused on Roman Catholic topics.
  • The Tacoma Facts was a weekly paper that started around 1971. It was active until at least 1980.
  • The Northwest Tacoma Facts was a weekly paper from 1970 into the 1970s. Fitzgerald Beaver published and edited it.
  • The Forum was a weekly paper from 1903 to 1918 or 1920. John Ryan founded it. It was known for fighting against racism in the Seattle area.
  • The Northwest Dispatch started in 1982 or 1984 and was published five days a week. Virginia Taylor also published this paper.
  • The Reporter was a weekly paper from 1966 to 1967. It was also known as Journal Reporter.
  • The Northwest Journal Reporter was a weekly paper from 1970 into the 1970s.
  • The Progress Messenger was a weekly paper that started in 1971.
  • Tacoma True Citizen is a weekly paper that started around 1972. W. Larry Williams published it. It was active until at least 1976.
  • The Weekly was the first African American-owned newspaper in Tacoma. It was a weekly paper that started and ended in 1903. John Ryan and Ella Ryan founded it.

Newspapers in Vancouver

Vancouver also had a notable African American newspaper.

  • The Portland Medium was a weekly paper that started around 1979. It was a follow-up to the Soul Town Review. Christopher H. Bennett published it.

See also

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