Howard University Hosts Black Press Week 2026 to Celebrate 200 Years of Black-Owned Media Howard University’s Moorland-Spingarn Research Center hosted journalists, publishers, students, and industry leaders for Black Press Week 2026, a five-day event marking the 200th anniversary of the Black press in the United States. The convening, held March 16-20, centered on the theme “Truth, Trust, and Technology: Approaching 200 Years of the Black Press in a Transforming Information Age.” The event highlighted the historical role of Black-owned media while addressing contemporary challenges such as artificial intelligence, credibility, and community accountability. It coincided with the March 16, 1827 anniversary of Freedom’s Journal, the first Black-owned and operated newspaper in the U.S. The week opened with a reception featuring the Howard University Community Choir, whose Gospel performances underscored the cultural and spiritual significance of the Black press. On March 18, the State of the Black Press address was delivered by Rev. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association. Chavis emphasized that the Black press is “a moral and historical record,” not merely a media enterprise, and stressed its role in advancing freedom, justice, and self-determination. He praised the longstanding partnership between Howard University and the Black press, noting the institution’s role in preserving and advancing Black media history. Scholar Dr. Benjamin Talton, professor of history and executive director of Moorland-Spingarn, expanded on the legacy of the Black press during the event.#howard_university #moorland_spingarn_research_center #black_press_week_2026 #national_newspaper_publishers_association #the_hilltop
