Eighteen65 – From Print to Digital: The Legacy of Freedom’s Journal Lives On

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Eighteen65.com is a digital platform celebrating Black pioneers and innovators in tech and journalism, especially investigative and watchdog media. Honoring the legacy of Freedom’s Journal, we document the triumphs and trials of Black America—past, present, and future—through bold storytelling and digital advocacy. From ink to innovation, the legacy continues.

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Honoring Freedom’s Journal, The Blueprint for Black Media

On this first day of Black History Month, we proudly launch Eighteen65.com—a platform dedicated to celebrating Black pioneers and innovators in tech and journalism, especially those who have fought to document our truth. And what better way to begin than by paying tribute to the publication that laid the foundation: Freedom’s Journal.

On March 16, 1827, in the heart of New York City, Samuel Cornish and John B. Russwurm made history by publishing the first issue of Freedom’s Journal—the first Black-owned and operated newspaper in the United States. At a time when mainstream media silenced Black voices, this newspaper boldly declared: “We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us.”

Their mission was clear: to provide a counter-narrative to the racist propaganda spread by white-controlled newspapers, to uplift and inform Black communities, and to serve as a watchdog against injustice. Freedom’s Journal covered topics that still resonate today—abolition, education, politics, and economic empowerment. It was more than a newspaper; it was a movement, a megaphone for Black agency in a time when literacy and self-determination were radical acts.

Today, nearly 200 years later, Black journalists, tech innovators, and storytellers continue this legacy—holding power accountable, amplifying our stories, and carving out digital spaces where our voices remain loud and unfiltered. Eighteen65.com exists in that spirit. We honor the past while building for the future, merging the ink of our ancestors with the digital revolution.

As we launch this space, we invite you to join us in celebrating the triumphs and trials of Black media and technology. Share your stories, uplift our pioneers, and continue the work of Freedom’s Journal—because our cause still needs pleading, and our voices will not be silenced.

#BlackHistoryMonth #Eighteen65 #FreedomsJournal #BlackMediaMatters

Black News Outlets By U.S. State

Finding Black News Outlets: How to Use This List

As we continue celebrating Black pioneers in journalism, we want to make sure you can easily find and support Black-owned news outlets still making waves today. Below is a Wikipedia list that breaks them down by state—but before you dive in, here’s how to make the most of it:

🔎 Two key terms you need to know:

  • Extant – This means the outlet is still operating today. These are the ones you can follow, read, and support.
  • Defunct – This means the outlet is no longer active. While these papers may have shut down, their legacy still shapes Black media today.

🖱 How to Sort the List:
The Wikipedia page is in table format, which means you can sort the outlets to bring all the extant (active) ones to the top. Just click the header in the table where it says “Status” to rearrange the list and get straight to the ones still reporting the news!

💡 Stay Connected
Throughout Eighteen65.com, you’ll find links to some of these outlets—because supporting Black media isn’t just about history, it’s about keeping our voices loud and thriving right now.

👉 Check out the list and start exploring!

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