National Afro-American Press Association

African-American newspapers allowed space for a racial minority to publish thoughts and promote discussions with other people in their community.

[4] African Americans determined to speak out against this hate, and to set the record straight for their race, started their own newspapers and publications.

[4] This surge in African American newspapers caused black editors to come together and create their own National Afro-American Press Association.

[4] The National Afro-American Press Association was founded in 1890 in Indianapolis with Timothy Thomas Fortune elected as chairman, in response to the large number of African American Newspapers entering circulation, and provided membership to newspapers and journalists who were publishing "in the interest of the Afro-American race.

"[6] The Association's largest involvement was in continuing the push for equal rights for African Americans socially and politically and was a vehicle to increase their power and influence over current affairs in pushing back against re-emerging white supremacy and the violence that was being inflicted on black Americans such as through mobs and lynchings.

[7][8] The Press Association was vocal about its position in creating an equal society and frequently presented their opinion on the fate of America if it did not change declaring that "this country cannot exist in peace, security and prosperity where one-seventh of the total population has its rights abridged or denied.

"[9] Journalism and the National Afro-American Press Association was a way to reach the community and create a strong, persistent place to pursue and advocate for change for a minority group who had been continually "down-trodden" by society.

[11] John Mitchell Jr. was a newspaper editor, civil rights and political activist born as a slave in Richmond, Virginia.