At Howard University, we take pride in teaching future Black history makers by preserving the legacy of those who previously documented current events in Black communities.  

Mar. 16 marked the 199th anniversary of the publication of the first Black newspaper, Freedom’s Journal, setting a groundbreaking achievement in Black journalism. 

Freedom’s Journal, established by Samuel E. Cornish and John Russwurm in 1827, was designed to report on the issues African Americans faced at the time. The newspaper was the first to accurately represent the adversities such as the fight against slavery, civil rights, education, religion, and other developments that may have affected people of color at the time. The publication’s motto,“we wish to plead our own cause,” defied the standard of media representation for African Americans, creating an important stake in Black advocacy despite the dangers that came along with publicly advertising Black activism. 

The impact of Freedom’s Journal legacy continues to live on today. On Mar. 18, Howard’s Moorland–Spingarn Research Center and the National Newspaper Publishers Association will host its “Black Press Day 2026” event to highlight the role of Black press in journalism history.  

"Black Press Day is a powerful reminder of the critical role Black-owned newspapers have played in documenting truth, shaping public discourse, and advocating for justice when mainstream outlets would not,” said Brandon Nightingale, senior program manager at Moorland-Spingarn who’s also a doctoral student at Howard. “It is both a celebration of that legacy and a call to continue preserving and expanding access to these histories for future generations.” 

Howard’s Legacy in Black Press 

Freedom’s Journal set the foundation of the Black journalism that’s taught and practiced in Howard’s Department of Media, Journalism, and Film. The department’s faculty, staff, and students have collaborated with media organizations such as CNN, NBC, The Wall Street Journal, and The Washington Post. Alums such as Sydnye White (B.A. ’92) continue the legacy of amplifying the legacy of Black journalists. White served as a producer on “50 Years with Kojo Nnamdi,” an interview special on prominent D.C. radio journalist Kojo Nnamdi. The special, produced by WHUT-TV Howard University Television, was nominated for a regional Emmy in 2025.  

Howard’s student newspaper, The Hilltop, is the oldest Black colligate newspaper in the nation. Founded in 1924 by writer Zora Neale Hurston and Eugene King, the paper documents the stories of Howard students’ current sociality placement and experiences.  

Keith Golden Jr., a senior journalism major and former visuals editor for The Hilltop, reflected on his time working for the newspaper and how he collaborated with other media outlets.  

“During the 2024 election with Kamala Harris, the New York Times reached out to me and they wanted to do a story on what The Hilltop photographers saw during election night. During the election night, I had people stationed in the crowds. I had people stationed in the streets and I had them document what they saw, sent it off to The Times and they ended up publishing it in one of their magazines.” 

Golden also added that “It’s less about what’s going on now [but] what it means 20 years down the line. The foundation you build at the student publications at this school is going to matter.” 

The senior currently works as a multimedia production intern at the Washington Informer. His goal after graduation is to promote his media production company, Golden Portrayals, and travel the world as an international documentary photographer and filmmaker. He contemplated on what his contributions to the legacy of Black journalists will one day be. 

“I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for Samuel Cornish and John Russwurm,” said Golden. “I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for Ida B. Wells going through the South and documenting lynching. I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for Frederick Douglas publishing the North Star. These are people that came before me that set the groundwork. These people set the precedent for the things I'm trying to do today.” 

Feature photo details: LIFE Magazine featured The Hilltop staff in its November 18, 1946 issue. (Photo by Alfred Eisenstaedt courtesy of The Hilltop)