African American newspapers have played a crucial role in the history of Black Americans, serving as a powerful platform for activism, advocacy, and community building. One of the earliest African American newspapers was Freedom's Journal, founded in 1827 in New York City by Rev. Peter Williams Jr. and other prominent Black leaders. It was the first newspaper owned and operated by African Americans in the United States.

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, African American newspapers such as the Chicago Defender, Pittsburgh Courier, and Baltimore Afro-American became important voices in the fight for civil rights and social justice. These publications covered issues affecting the Black community, including segregation, lynching, voting rights, education, and economic opportunities.

During the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s, African American newspapers played a significant role in mobilizing and organizing Black communities, providing a platform for leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks to share their messages.

Today, African American newspapers continue to be vital sources of information and representation for the Black community, covering local, national, and international news from a perspective that is often missing in mainstream media. Some notable contemporary African American newspapers include the Atlanta Daily World, The Philadelphia Tribune, and The Washington Informer.