The history of African-American publishing began in the late 1800’s with protest against the Civil War and slavery. Samuel Cornish and John B. Russwarm started the first African-American owned newspaper, the Freedom’s Journal. Numerous newspapers followed thereafter by Fredrick Douglass, with the North Star, W.E.B Dubious’, Crisis Magazine and Ida B. Wells Barnett who was the co-owner of The Freespeech and Headlight. Each of these publishers was seeking to inform and reform the dignity of its people. They published work about community-academic issues that effected Blacks and the poor on a local, regional, and national level. As the first publisher of an African-American Student Newspaper since 1991 at the
The official daily newspaper distributed on campus tailors to lackluster journalism and more right wing issues. Realizing since enrolled at the university that there was not an African-American newspaper focused on minority issues something had to manifest. Traveling to
The staff researched every resource for student funding for a newspaper. A professor and the Vice-Chancellor of Student Affairs assisted the paper with the first two issues to obtain supplies to ensure that the paper was in print. There were many issues on campus that needed addressing and it was now our turn and chance to make this a reality. Many students came on board to help with writing articles, editing, and getting the word out. In addition, to starting the newspaper, we created a film series in the honors college to compliment the newspaper and the issues focused on in the paper.
Now in print, Songhai News: The Black Collegiate Voice has published news pertaining to financial aid, student retention with professors (vice-versa), and the need for a minority voice in the daily collegiate paper on campus, etc. In addition, the newspaper received a publishing grant from Campus Progress to publish the newspaper on newsprint paper on a regular basis. The rest is history. Songhai News started out in March of 2007 and produced seven issues through the spring semester of 2008.
It took a lot of work to put the newspaper together and distribute on campus. A small idea birthed because a need had to be fulfilled. I am very proud of what we did, and believe that whatever you set your dreams to you can accomplish regardless of mountains. As Malcolm X stated, “Just as a tree without roots is dead, a people without history or cultural roots also becomes a dead people.” Not only has Songhai News produced news, the working staff are either graduating with degrees or have while working with the newspaper. I think that is the best accomplishment yet!
The newspaper produced its last issue in print for April/May 2008 this past week. If you are interested in receiving back copies of the seven issues email the newspaper before May 30, 2008 at songhainews@gmail.com.
By kYmberly Keeton, Founding Publisher
