Early African American Newspapers in California

Summary

This video explores the history of African-American newspapers in California, focusing on their early origins and significance. The presenter highlights key newspapers, starting with the first African-American-owned publication in the U.S. in 1827, and traces the development of local newspapers like the 'Mirror of the Times' in 1856, the 'Forum' in 1906, and the 'Sacramento Observer,' which continues today. The video connects the newspapers to key historical moments and figures, like Mifflin Gibbs and Jonas Townsend, while emphasizing their impact on African-American communities in Sacramento and California.

Takeaways

• 😀 The first African-American owned newspaper in the United States, the Freedom's Journal, was published in 1827 in New York.
• 😀 Sacramento's first newspaper, The Californian, was established in 1846, but the first African-American owned newspaper in California appeared in 1856.
• 😀 The first African-American newspaper in California, 'The Mirror of the Times,' was published in San Francisco in 1856, and it was inspired by an African-American convention in Sacramento in 1855.
• 😀 The 'Mirror of the Times' was short-lived due to many African-Americans moving to British Columbia for the gold rush in the late 1850s.
• 😀 Mifflin Gibbs, an editor of 'The Mirror of the Times,' later practiced law and was appointed as the U.S. consul to Madagascar in 1897.
• 😀 The Elevator, another popular African-American newspaper in the late 19th century, catered to black business owners in Sacramento, such as Charles Hackett and Gibson.
• 😀 Sacramento didn't have an African-American operated newspaper until 1906, when 'The Forum' was published at the Shiloh Baptist Church, but it only ran one edition.
• 😀 In 1914, the Western Review newspaper was founded in Sacramento, operating until the early 1920s.
• 😀 The Sacramento Outlook, founded in 1942, ran for several decades until 1962, when it was sold and rebranded into the Sacramento Observer.
• 😀 The Sacramento Observer, established in 1962, is still in operation today, now as a digital newspaper, making it one of the longest-lasting African-American newspapers in California.

Q & A

What was the first African-American owned newspaper in the United States?

The first African-American owned newspaper in the United States was the Freedom's Journal, first published on March 16, 1827, in New York.

When was the first newspaper in California published?

The first newspaper in California, The Californian, was published in 1846 in Sacramento.

What was the first African-American owned newspaper published in California?

The first African-American owned newspaper in California was the Mirror of the Times, which began publication in San Francisco in 1856.

Who were the editors of the Mirror of the Times?

The editors of the Mirror of the Times were Mifflin Gibbs and Jonas Townsend.

Why did the Mirror of the Times only last a couple of years?

The Mirror of the Times had a short lifespan due to many African-Americans in Northern California leaving for British Columbia during the gold rush in the late 1850s.

What is notable about Mifflin Gibbs' career after the Mirror of the Times?

After his time with the Mirror of the Times, Mifflin Gibbs became a lawyer and was appointed the U.S. consul to Madagascar in 1897.

Which other African-American newspaper was popular in San Francisco during the late 19th century?

Another popular newspaper in San Francisco during the late 19th century was The Elevator, which was widely read among Black business owners in Sacramento.

Why did Black business owners in Sacramento choose to advertise in San Francisco newspapers?

Black business owners in Sacramento chose to advertise in San Francisco newspapers because Sacramento did not have an African-American operated newspaper until 1906.

What was the name of Sacramento’s first African-American newspaper?

Sacramento's first African-American newspaper was The Forum, published in 1906 by Reverend Gordon McPherson at Shiloh Baptist Church.

Why was The Forum short-lived?

The Forum was short-lived because it only published one edition before ceasing operations.

What was the next African-American operated newspaper in Sacramento after The Forum?

The next African-American operated newspaper in Sacramento was The Western Review, which operated from 1914 until the early 1920s.

What happened to the Sacramento Outlook in 1962?

In 1962, William Lee, Geo Gladden, and Douglas Greer purchased the Sacramento Outlook and later used the newspaper business to publish The Sacramento Observer, which still exists today as a digital newspaper.