Gallons And Gallons Of Ink
Afro American Newspaper Celebrates 130 Years Publishing At Prince George’s County Venue
The Afro American Newspapers celebrated 130 years in publishing August 13 at Martins Crosswinds in Greenbelt MD.
The capacity crowd was highlighted with celebrities and national leaders such as legendary DJ Kid Capri, Comedian Tommy Davidson, Rev Al Sharpton and Intellectual activist Michael Eric Dyson.
The gala included Davidson’s comedy stylings and the vocal talents of Temika Moore. It was an evening of joy and blended with a family reunion atmosphere that brought together dozens of former journalists, artists, community and business leaders and faith leaders who worked together directly ad indirectly for decades in and around the offices of the Afro American Newspapers in the cause of telling the African American story and aiding African American lives.
Among them was Moses Newsom, the 94-year old editor recognized as among the first generation of editors at the newspaper. He was awarded by AFRO Publisher Frances “Toni” Draper for decades of service and dedication.
Launched on August 13, 1892, the newspaper covered the communities and lives of black people in Baltimore, MD, Washington, DC and even grew to have a Richmond, VA edition (which ended in 1996). In that span, the newspaper covered two new century marks, two world wars, the rise and impact of Jackie Robinson, Cassius Clay (who became Muhammad Ali) and the evolution of the Civil Rights Movement to the Black Power Movement and the election of the nation’s first black president.
Descendants of the AFRO AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS FOUNDERS
When the paper launched in 1892, a loaf of bread cost 7 cents, a dozen eggs cost 34 cents and a pound of steak, a whopping 26 cents.
