Breath Of My Ancestors Minute 3-16-17

On this date March 16, 1827, the Freedom’s Journal newspaper was founded. It was the first Black-owned and operated newspaper in the United States.

Published in New York City, the paper refuted fake news and racist commentary in the mainstream press. The journal was established the same year that slavery was abolished in New York State. Samuel E. Cornish and John B. Russwurm served as its editors. The Journal provided news of current events, anecdotes, and editorials to encourage Black achievement, it featured biographies of renowned black achievers like Paul Cuffee, Touissant L’Ouverture, and poet Phyllis Wheatley. This has been another Breath of My Ancestors Minute w/Ty Gray-EL…We Must Never Forget