The Cleveland Gazette

The Gazette became the longest-publishing African American weekly in the United States, earning its nickname "The Old Reliable" by never missing a Saturday publication date in 58 years.

[2] Cleveland was populated by many New Englanders who opposed the institution of slavery and the addition of African Americans allowed the city's public areas to become more integrated with minimal racial conflicts.

Various "religious and charitable organizations provided financial support for newspapers," and educational advancements allowed more African Americans read and write.

[4] Smith became the "sole owner" in 1888, and he financed the paper through "Republican party contributions" and earnings from rental property ownership and "job printing.

[3] In the beginning period of the Cleveland Gazette, the paper clearly asserted its mission to be a political force for Black Americans in the midst of the 1883 Supreme Court decision that reversed the 1875 Civil Rights Act.

[8] By 1886, issues often featured front pages that contained "editorials" that criticized the Democratic Party, "trivia and facts" about remarkable African Americans, and articles about local and national news updates.

During World War I, African Americans migrated to Northern cities to fill vacant factory jobs, and The Gazette lessened its criticism of the needed migrants.

Along with the loss of Republican support and a lack of financial backings, The Gazette's popularity declined when the Call and Post was created around World War I.