List of African American newspapers in Virginia

The True Southerner from February 1866.
George Freeman Bragg, editor of the Virginia Lancet.
Front page of the Richmond Planet from 1902.

This is a list of African American newspapers that have been published in Virginia. It includes both current and historical newspapers.

The first African American newspaper in the state was The True Southerner, in 1865.[1] In the ensuing four decades, more than 50 such newspapers sprang up, addressing the manifold challenges facing the African American community during and after Reconstruction.[2] Among these, a few took a leading role in the state's political discourse, such as the Richmond Planet, Virginia Lancet and Virginia Star.[3]

Notable African American newspapers in Virginia today include the New Journal and Guide, Roanoke Tribune, and Richmond Free Press.

Newspapers

City Title Beginning End Frequency Call numbers Remarks


Alexandria Clipper 1891[4] 1894[4]
  • Merged with Alexandria Leader in 1894.[4]
Alexandria The Industrial Advocate 1900 1910
  • Edited by Magnus Lewis Robinson.[4]
Alexandria Leader 1888[4] 1894[4]
  • Merged with Alexandria Clipper in 1894.[4]
Alexandria Leader and Clipper /
The Alexandria Leader (1898–)[4]		 1894[4] 1890s[4]
  • Formed from merger of Leader and Clipper in 1894.[4]
Alexandria The Metro Herald 1990?[6] 2018[5] Weekly[5]
  • ISSN 1061-4532
  • LCCN sn92003167
  • OCLC 25375495
Alexandria The People's Advocate 1876[7] 1879[7] Weekly[7]
  • LCCN 2014254005, sn84025894
  • OCLC 874920534, 10587978
  • Moved to Washington, D.C. in 1879.[8]
Alexandria Post and National Echo 1882[4] 1882[4]
  • Founded by Magnus Lewis Robinson.[4]
Alexandria Virginia Post 1880[4] 1882[4]
Berryville The People's Journal 1800s[9] 1900s[9] Monthly newspaper[9]
  • LCCN sn95079087
  • OCLC 32261642
  • Extant in at least 1899.[9]
  • Published by G.L.D. Harris.[9]
Boydton The Midland Express 1891[10] 1895[10] Weekly[10]
  • LCCN 2013254314, sn86058060
  • OCLC 844090234, 13352245, 2772284
Buckingham The Informant 1987[11] current Monthly newspaper[11]
  • LCCN sn96009500
  • OCLC 34457929
  • Published by Charles W. White.[11]
  • Extant through at least 2017.[12]
Catlett The Circuit 1937[14] 1954[13] Monthly newspaper[14]
  • LCCN sn99066743
  • OCLC 40901521
Charles City Charles City Times 1966[15] ?[15] Twice-monthly[15]
  • LCCN sn94060074
  • OCLC 30963442
Charlottesville The African American Reflector 2003[17] 2005[16] Biweekly[17]
  • LCCN sn2004061518
  • OCLC 52433907
  • Edited by Corey E. Carter.[17]
  • Named in honor of T.J. Sellers' The Reflector newspaper.[18]
Charlottesville Messenger 1909[19] 1928[19] Weekly[20]
  • Edited by John G. Shelton.[20]
Charlottesville The Reflector 1933[21] ?[21] Weekly[21]
  • LCCN sn95079541
  • OCLC 32404255
  • Extant through at least 1935.[21]
  • Published by T.J. Sellers.[21]
Charlottesville Charlottesville Tribune 1950[22] 1951[22] Weekly[22]
  • LCCN sn95079538
  • OCLC 32252741
  • Published by the Roanoke Tribune.[22]
Charlottesville The Tribune (1992–)[24] /
Charlottesville-Albemarle Tribune (1954–1992)		 1954[25] 2011[23] Weekly[25]
  • The Tribune:
    • LCCN sn95079529
    • OCLC 27008933
  • Charlottesville-Albemarle Tribune:
    • LCCN sn95079521
    • OCLC 12302644
Claremont The Monthly Advocate 1896[26] 1800s[26] Twice-monthly[26]
  • LCCN sn98068239
  • OCLC 40099702
  • Published by the Temperance, Industrial and Collegiate Institute.[26]
Danville Danville News and Observer 1974?[27] ?[27] Monthly[27]
  • LCCN sn99063219
  • OCLC 41609458
  • Extant through at least 1977.[28]
Farmville The Voice Of Prince Edward County 1960s[29] ?[29] Monthly newspaper[29]
  • LCCN sn98068058
  • OCLC 38371567
  • Extant from 1966.[29]
Hampton The Hampton Roads Voice 1994[30] 2014[30] Weekly[30]
  • LCCN sn2004061588
  • OCLC 55228230
  • Published by Jack J. Green.[30]
  • Merged with Richmond Voice in 2014 to form The Voice.[30]
Hampton The True Southerner 1865[31] 1866[31] Weekly[31]
  • LCCN sn93059185
  • OCLC 27480413
  • Free online archive
  • Started by white army officer in 1865, but taken over by Joseph T. Wilson in 1866.[32]
  • Moved to Norfolk in 1866.[33] Printing presses smashed by white mob in Norfolk later that year.[32]
Lynchburg Counselor and Herald 1892?[34] ?[34] Weekly[34]
Lynchburg First Class 1984[35] ?[35] Bimonthly newspaper[35]
Lynchburg Interpreter 1903[8] 1906[8]
  • Founded by Robert W. Goff.[8]
  • Only African American paper in Lynchburg in first decade of 1900s.[8]
Lynchburg Laboring Man 1886[8] 1888[8]
Lynchburg Southern Forge 1895[8] 1896[8]
Lynchburg The Voice Of God 1890s[36] 1900s[36] Weekly[36]
  • LCCN sn96096555
  • OCLC 34494037
  • Surviving issue from 1897.[36]
Newport News The Star/
Newport News Star[37]		 1900[19] or 1901[38] 1940[37] Weekly[38]
  • The Star
    • LCCN sn95079078
    • OCLC 32253086
  • Newport News Star
    • LCCN sn95079077
    • OCLC 32253046
Newport News Your Tidewater Community Paper 1991[39] Monthly (Irregular)[39]
  • OCLC 24782717
  • Published by Ibn H.K. Khailfah.[39]
Norfolk American Sentinel 1880[4] 1881[4]
Norfolk The American Ethiopian 1900[19] 1907[19]
Norfolk Journal and Guide /
The New Journal and Guide (1991–)[40]		 1901[41] current Weekly[41]
  • ISSN 2641-1350
  • LCCN 2011263305, sn95079582
  • OCLC 767759130, 26628042
  • Official site
  • Published as Journal and Guide and Newport News Star from 1940 to 1943.[42]
Norfolk The Lodge Journal and Guide 1900[19] 1910[19]
Norfolk The News and Advertiser 1900[19] 1908[19]
Norfolk The Rambler 1894[19] 1898[19]
Norfolk The Right Way 1885[4]
Norfolk The Speaker 1889[19] 1893[19]
  • Politically independent.[19]
Norfolk The Spectator 1887[19] 1891[19]
Norfolk The Standard 1889[19] 1891[19]
Petersburg Afro-American Churchman 1885[44] or 1886[43] 1890[43] Monthly newspaper[43]
  • ISSN 2574-6448
  • LCCN sn85038628
  • OCLC 6690589
Petersburg The Colored Virginian 1875?[45] ?[45] Weekly[45]
Petersburg The Evening Recorder 1897[19] Daily[19]
  • Founded by Matt Lewis.[19]
Petersburg The Family Reguel 1880s[19] 1880s[19] Monthly[19]
Petersburg The Petersburg Herald 1888[46] 1899[46] Weekly[46]
  • LCCN sn96096570
  • OCLC 34533107
Petersburg The Lancet /
Virginia Lancet		 1882[47] 1886[47] Weekly[47]
  • ISSN 2574-6456
  • LCCN sn96094029
  • OCLC 34433728
Petersburg The National Pilot 1886[48] 1900[48] Weekly[48]
  • LCCN 2013254330, sn84025813
  • OCLC 844985842, 10328978, 2753790
  • Edited by Charles B.W. Gordon.[48]
Petersburg The Recorder 1893[49] 1897[19] Weekly[49]
  • Founded by Matt Lewis.[19]
Petersburg The Southern Tribune 1884[19] 1884[19]
  • Founded to counteract the pro-Readjuster effect of the Petersburg Lancet.[19]
Petersburg The Star of Zion 1880s[19] 1880s[19] Weekly[19]
Petersburg Union Republican 1866[32] Triweekly[50]
  • LCCN sn94051043
  • OCLC 30055832
Portsmouth Black Net Working 1980s[51] 1900s[51]
  • LCCN sn2001062401
  • OCLC 46398618
  • Extant as of 1987.[51]
  • Published by Larry Alexander.[51]
Richmond Richmond Afro-American 1939[52] 1941[52] Weekly[52]
  • LCCN sn84025922
  • OCLC 10702392
Richmond Richmond Free Press 1992[53] current Weekly[53]
  • ISSN 1534-6889
  • LCCN sn97066503
  • OCLC 28510270
  • Official site
  • Distributed free of charge.[54]
Richmond The Good News Herald 1986?[55] Monthly newspaper[55]
  • OCLC 31281018
Richmond Industrial Day 1888 1890
Richmond Legacy 2015[56] current Weekly[56]
  • LCCN 2010271361
  • OCLC 903656001
  • Official site
  • Issues online
Richmond The Negro Advocate 1902[57] ?[57] Biweekly[57]
Richmond Richmond Planet 1883[58] 1938[58] Weekly[58]
  • ISSN 2151-4011
  • LCCN 2014254304, sn84025841
  • OCLC 463293523, 10412790
  • Free online archive
Richmond The Reformer 1895[59] 1931[59] Weekly[59]
  • LCCN sn84025814
  • OCLC 10328985, 22156119
  • Official newspaper of the Grand Fountain United Order of True Reformers.[59]
Richmond The Reporter 1890[8] 1893[8]
  • Politically independent.[8]
Richmond The Southern News 1892[60] 1894[60] Weekly[60]
  • LCCN sn83027098
  • OCLC 10101960, 2789631
Richmond The Southside Voice 1987[61] 1987[61] Semimonthly newspaper[61]
  • LCCN sn95079007
  • OCLC 16462032
  • Free newspaper.[61]
  • Published by Southside Voice, Inc.[61]
Richmond St. Luke Herald 1902?[62] ?[62] Weekly[62]
  • OCLC 34332604
Richmond The Virginia Star 1877[63] 1888[63] Weekly[63]
  • LCCN sn83027093
  • OCLC 9973874, 278453
  • "[E]stablished in September 1877 by R.A. Green, a physician, in partnership with black businessmen O.M. Steward and P.H. Woolfolk."[8]
  • Supported the Readjuster Party.[8]
Richmond Richmond Voice 1987?[64] 2000s Weekly[64]
  • LCCN sn98068059
  • OCLC 31252008, 32177482
  • Distributed free of charge.[65]
  • Published by Jack J. Green[65]
  • Followed by Legacy.
Richmond The Richmond Voice /
The Voice		 1917?[66] or 1918[8] 1926[8] Weekly[66]
  • Edited by Benjamin F. Vaughn.[66]
  • Took the place of the Young Men's Voice.[66]
Roanoke The Roanoke Tribune /
The Tribune (1951–)		 1939[67] current Weekly[67]
  • The Roanoke Tribune:
    • LCCN sn98068354
    • OCLC 39072181
  • The Tribune:
    • LCCN sn98068351
    • OCLC 39072118
  • Official site
  • Free online archive
  • Founded by F.E. Alexander.[68]
  • Billed as the "[o]nly negro newspaper published in Southwest Virginia."[69]
Roanoke Roanoke Weekly Press 1891[70] 1897[70] Weekly[70]
  • LCCN sn95079197
  • OCLC 32801844
Staunton Staunton Reporter 1921[71] 1923[71] Weekly[71]
  • LCCN sn00064478
  • OCLC 50680817
  • Published by O.W. Marshall.[71]
Staunton Staunton Reporter 1915[72] 1918[72] Weekly[72]
  • LCCN sn00064479
  • OCLC 50547001
  • Relationship to later Staunton Reporter unclear.[72]
Staunton Staunton Tribune /
Southern Tribune[73]		 1891[73] 1896[73] Weekly[73]
  • LCCN 2010027143
  • OCLC 784152656
  • Published by Willis M. Carter.[74]
Staunton The Staunton Tribune 1926[74] 1933[74] Weekly[74]
  • LCCN sn94060049
  • OCLC 30925167
Staunton The Valley Index 1897[8] 1905[8]
  • Founded by James M. Morris.[8]
Staunton Virginia Critic 1884[8] 1888[8]
  • Founded by C.L. Smith and D.C. Carter. [8]
Newport News /
Tidewater 		The National Newport News & Commentator 1986[75] 1993[75] Bimonthly newspaper[75]
  • OCLC 20869168, 22443372
Virginia Beach The Answer 1982[76] 1900s[76]
  • LCCN sn2001062403
  • OCLC 46403226
  • Billed as "[t]he progressive newspaper for the progressive citizen."[76]
  • Published by E. George Minns[76]
Waverly Pioneer 1894[19] 1895[19]
Williamsburg Peninsula Churchman 1900s[77] ?[77]
  • LCCN sn96094043
  • OCLC 34784409
  • Affiliated with the Baptist church.[77]
  • Extant at least in 1904.[77]

See also

  • flagVirginia portal
  • Journalism portal

Works cited

  • Danky, James Philip; Hady, Maureen E., eds. (1998). African-American newspapers and periodicals : a national bibliography. Harvard University Press. ISBN 9780674007888.
  • Pride, Armistead Scott; Wilson, Clint C. (1997). A History of the Black Press. Howard University Press. ISBN 9780882581927.
  • Smith, Jessie Carney (2012). Black Firsts: 4,000 Ground-Breaking and Pioneering Historical Events. Visible Ink Press. ISBN 9781578593699.
  • Suggs, Henry Lewis (1983). "Virginia". In Suggs, Henry Lewis (ed.). The Black Press in the South, 1865–1979. ISBN 9780313222443.

References

  1. ^ Smith 2012, p. 409.
  2. ^ Suggs 1983, p. 424.
  3. ^ Suggs 1983.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Suggs 1983, p. 380.
  5. ^ a b "About The Metro herald. (Alexandria, Va.) 199?-2018". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  6. ^ Danky & Hady 1998, p. 361, ¶ 3771.
  7. ^ a b c "About The people's advocate. [online resource] (Alexandria, Va.) 1876-18??". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Suggs 1983, p. 382.
  9. ^ a b c d e "About The People's journal. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 19??-19??". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  10. ^ a b c Danky & Hady 1998, p. 363, ¶ 3798.
  11. ^ a b c "About The Informant. (Buckingham, Va.) 1987-current". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  12. ^ White, Morgan (2017-06-13). "Informant celebrates 30 years". Retrieved 2020-01-22.
  13. ^ Moon, Vicky (2019-02-22). "Making 'The Circuit': Fauquier's African-American newspaper hailed from Catlett". Fauquier Times. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  14. ^ a b "About The Circuit. (Catlett, Va.) 1937-19??". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  15. ^ a b c "About Charles City times. [volume] (Charles City, Va.) 1966-19??". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  16. ^ "The African American Reflector". Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia. Retrieved 2022-03-18.
  17. ^ a b c "About The African American reflector. (Charlottesville, Va.) 2003-current". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  18. ^ Borgmeyer, John (2003-09-16). "Charlottesville Media: "The Reflector" Dusts Off a 70-year Mission". C-Ville Weekly. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai Suggs 1983, p. 381.
  20. ^ a b Tucker, T. Nicole. "Individual Profiles of Politically Active African Americans in Charlottesville". White Supremacy & African-American Resistance in Charlottesville 1900-1925. Retrieved 2020-01-22.
  21. ^ a b c d e "About The Reflector. (Charlottesville, Va.) 1933-19??". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  22. ^ a b c d "About Charlottesville Tribune. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1950-1951". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  23. ^ Maurer, David (2012-07-29). "Yesteryears: Randolph White David Maurer". Daily Progress. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  24. ^ "About The Tribune. (Charlottesville, Va.) 1992-current". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  25. ^ a b Danky & Hady 1998, p. 567, ¶ 5922.
  26. ^ a b c d "About The Monthly advocate. (Claremont, Va.) 1896-18??". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  27. ^ a b c Danky & Hady 1998, p. 186, ¶ 1930.
  28. ^ "About Danville news & observer. ([Danville, Va.?) 1974-????". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  29. ^ a b c d "About The Voice of Prince Edward County. (Farmville, Va.) 196?-????". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  30. ^ a b c d e "About The Hampton Roads voice. (Hampton, Va.) 1994-2014". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  31. ^ a b c Danky & Hady 1998, p. 569, ¶ 5942.
  32. ^ a b c d Suggs 1983, p. 379.
  33. ^ "About The true Southerner. (Hampton, Va.) 1865-1866". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  34. ^ a b c Danky & Hady 1998, p. 177, ¶ 1845.
  35. ^ a b c Danky & Hady 1998, p. 224, ¶ 2348.
  36. ^ a b c d "About The Voice of God. (Lynchburg, Va.) 189?-19??". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  37. ^ a b "About Newport News star. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 192?-1940". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  38. ^ a b "About The Star. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1901-192?". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  39. ^ a b c Danky & Hady 1998, p. 626, ¶ 6546.
  40. ^ "About New journal & guide. [online resource] (Norfolk, Va.) 1991-current". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  41. ^ a b Danky & Hady 1998, p. 315, ¶ 3312.
  42. ^ "About Journal and guide and Newport News star. ([Norfolk, Va.]) 1940-1943". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  43. ^ a b c d e f "About Afro-American churchman. [volume] (Petersburg, Va.) 1886-1890". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  44. ^ Suggs 1983, p. 391.
  45. ^ a b c Danky & Hady 1998, p. 163, ¶ 1696.
  46. ^ a b c "About The Petersburg herald. (Petersburg, Va.) 1888-1899". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  47. ^ a b c d Danky & Hady 1998, p. 331, ¶ 3469.
  48. ^ a b c d Danky & Hady 1998, p. 393, ¶ 4097.
  49. ^ a b Danky & Hady 1998, p. 486, ¶ 5070.
  50. ^ "About The Union Republican. [volume] (Norfolk & Petersburg, Va.) 186?-18??". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-22.
  51. ^ a b c d "About Black net working. (Portsmouth, Va.) 198?-19??". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  52. ^ a b c "About Richmond Afro-American. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1939-1941". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  53. ^ a b Danky & Hady 1998, p. 493, ¶ 5143.
  54. ^ "About Richmond free press. (Richmond, VA) 1992-current". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  55. ^ a b Danky & Hady 1998, p. 252, ¶ 2641.
  56. ^ a b "About Legacy. (Richmond, Va.) 2015-current". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  57. ^ a b c Danky & Hady 1998, p. 398, ¶ 4147.
  58. ^ a b c "About Richmond planet. [online resource] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  59. ^ a b c d Danky & Hady 1998, p. 487, ¶ 5080.
  60. ^ a b c Danky & Hady 1998, p. 528, ¶ 5513.
  61. ^ a b c d e "About The Southside voice. (Richmond, Va.) 1987-1987". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  62. ^ a b c Danky & Hady 1998, p. 539, ¶ 5617.
  63. ^ a b c Danky & Hady 1998, p. 590, ¶ 6179.
  64. ^ a b Danky & Hady 1998, p. 493, ¶ 5147.
  65. ^ a b "About The Richmond voice. (Richmond, Va.) 1995-current". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  66. ^ a b c d Danky & Hady 1998, p. 493, ¶ 5146.
  67. ^ a b Danky & Hady 1998, p. 495, ¶ 5165.
  68. ^ "About The Roanoke tribune. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 19??-current". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  69. ^ "About The Tribune. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1951-19??". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  70. ^ a b c "About Roanoke weekly press. (Roanoke, Va.) 1891-1897". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  71. ^ a b c d "About Staunton reporter. (Staunton, Va.) 1921-1923". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  72. ^ a b c d "About Staunton reporter. (Staunton, Va.) 1915-1918". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  73. ^ a b c d "About Staunton tribune. (Staunton, Va.) 1893-1896". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  74. ^ a b c d "About The Staunton tribune. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1926-1933". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  75. ^ a b c Danky & Hady 1998, p. 392, ¶ 4090.
  76. ^ a b c d "About The Answer. (Virginia Beach, Va.) 1982-19??". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
  77. ^ a b c d "About Peninsula Churchman. (Williamsburg, Va.) 19??-????". Chronicling America. Library of Congress. Retrieved 2020-01-18.
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