By Asia Nail
The Truth Reporter
In the heart of Ohio’s legislative halls, a historic moment has unfolded—one that speaks directly to the soul of Black America. House Bill 368, penned by Ohio State Representative Elgin Rogers Jr., has passed, marking a new chapter in the ongoing fight for representation, equity and truth in journalism. With this bill, Ohio formally designates the week of March 16 as Ohio Black Media Week.
But let’s take a step back. What does this truly mean for us, for our history, and for the path forward?
The Power of the Black Press
“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
—James Baldwin (The Nation, The New Yorker, Harper’s Magazine, The New York Times)
From the earliest days, Black-owned newspapers like Freedom’s Journal in 1827 to the modern digital platforms amplifying our voices today, Black media has been the heartbeat of our truth. It has told our stories when the mainstream media refused to. It has given us heroes, exposed injustices and reminded us of our worth when the world tried to silence us.
“Black journalists play a vital role in sharing our authentic stories,” shares Representative Rogers.
His words ring true, but they also carry a challenge: Are we listening? Are we supporting? Are we ensuring that the next generation of Black storytellers has the platform and the resources they need?
A Legacy of Resistance
“Your silence will not protect you.”
—Audre Lorde (Sister Outsider, various Black feminist and independent literary journals)
The fight for Black media is not new. We saw it during Reconstruction when Black newspapers were burned for daring to educate and empower freedmen. We saw it in the Civil Rights Movement when journalists risked their lives to cover the truth about segregation and police brutality. And we see it now, in the battle against misinformation, censorship and the erasure of our contributions.
Every time Black America rises, there is backlash. We saw it after Reconstruction when progress was crushed under the weight of Jim Crow. We saw it after the Civil Rights era when policies were rolled back, and economic barriers were reinforced. And we saw it after the murder of George Floyd, when corporate pledges to racial justice quietly disappeared, and the fight against social awareness became a political tool to maintain the status quo.
But history has also shown us this: The Black Press has never stopped fighting.
The Moment We’re In
“Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” —Malcolm X (Muhammad Speaks, the Nation of Islam’s newspaper)
As we celebrate the passage of Ohio Black Media Week, we must also recognize what it demands of us. Honoring Black media is more than just a symbolic act—it is a call to action.
Representative Rogers explains that House Bill 368 is part of what he describes as a legislative “combo.” It is sandwiched between Senate Bill 210 and House Bill 173, another successfully passed measure. Rogers compares this strategic bundling to a folded bill, emphasizing how these pieces of legislation work together as a package to advance their collective impact.
“We must invest in Black-owned newspapers, radio stations, and digital platforms,” says Rogers—and he’s right. We must challenge mainstream narratives and ensure our voices are heard, not just during Black History Month, but every single day. And we must teach our children that media is power—the power to shape minds, shift culture, and dismantle the systems that seek to oppress us.
But we know the truth.
Legislation alone does not preserve a legacy—people do. Communities do. A commitment to truth does.
And that responsibility belongs to us.
Why Black Media Matters
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” —Martin Luther King Jr. (The Atlanta Daily World, The NY Amsterdam News)
“Information is the currency that propels us forward,” says Representative Rogers.
As a Black journalist, I know firsthand the power of information. When we hear the phrase “information is power,” it’s not just a cliché—it’s a truth that has shaped our survival, resistance, and progress.
For centuries, Black media has been the heartbeat of our communities, the vessel through which we tell our own stories, unfiltered and uncensored. Black journalists have never just reported the news—we have shaped history. We have exposed injustice, given voice to the unheard, and ensured that the narratives of our diaspora do not get erased or rewritten.
That’s why Representative Rogers’ work is so important. With House Bill 368, he isn’t just honoring the past—he is securing a future where Black media continues to thrive. Because Black media is not just for Black people; it’s for anyone who values historical truth.
“Make no mistake about it, all people read Black media,” Rogers reminds us.
A Political Struggle for Recognition
“The cost of liberty is less than the price of repression.” —W.E.B. Du Bois (The Crisis, the official magazine of the NAACP)
Black media’s influence extends beyond storytelling—it plays a crucial role in shaping politics, policies and economic opportunities. As Representative Rogers reflects on his time in Ohio’s legislature, he acknowledges how, during the 2016 election, both major parties began to recognize the power of Black media.
“Many talk the talk, but few walk the walk,” he says. Black media should not be an afterthought in political and economic discussions; it should be a priority.
If we don’t tell our own stories, who will?
It’s crucial that we take control of our narrative, especially when it comes to shaping our future. As disheartening as it may be, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the groups that gain the most from DEI (Diversity Equity & Inclusion) efforts are, in order: white women and male CEOs, Latino/Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, disabled individuals, veterans, LGBTQ+ people, and finally, Black Americans—the group that receives the least support.
Yet, rather than strengthening policies that benefit them, 2024 majority voters prioritized undermining DEI, a decision that ultimately reinforces a racial hierarchy where Black Americans remain structurally disadvantaged. This phenomenon highlights how deeply ingrained anti-Blackness is in the fabric of American society, where even those who stand to gain from equity efforts will abandon them if it means maintaining the racial status quo.
Building a Legacy of Change
“Racism is not just a matter of personal attitudes or prejudices. It is about the power to define who belongs, who gets resources, and who gets justice.”
—Dorothy Roberts (The Nation, Harvard Law Review)
Change is never the work of one person—it takes a collective. That’s why Representative Elgin Rogers Jr. garnered support from a bipartisan group of legislators, including Senator Dr. Vernon Sykes of Akron, who has served in the Ohio legislature for over 40 years, and State Representative Josh Williams of Sylvania Township. These leaders understand that Black media plays a crucial role in shaping public discourse and ensuring that the voices of marginalized communities are heard.
Rogers also engaged Black media outlets for feedback, ensuring that the bill was crafted with the community in mind.
“I could have done the bill alone,” Rogers reflects, “but there’s power in numbers.”
That power translated into bipartisan support. House Bill 368 passed with backing from lawmakers across the political spectrum. But this wasn’t just about politics—it was about ensuring that Black media continues to be recognized and supported by many.
“Every year, hopefully for generations to come, this bill will continue to bring awareness that Black Media is important—not just for Black people, but for all people,” Rogers says.
Beloved Black Community
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” —Maya Angelou (The New York Times and The Oakland Tribune)
We stand on the shoulders of giants—those whose unwavering voices have echoed throughout history, shaping the course of a nation. The writers, journalists and press creators who paved the way fought not just for representation, but for the recognition of our power, our intellect, and our humanity.
“Ohio Black Media Week” will commemorate our stories, told on our terms, from the archives of slavery to the roaring winds of the civil rights movement. We were, and are, not just surviving—we are thriving in a legacy of strength and defiance, one that continues to inspire and empower us today.
Let us remember that the Black press and Black creatives have always been at the forefront of our struggle for justice, equality, and empowerment. Our resilience is written in the pages of history, in the ink of those who refused to be silenced, in the beats of hearts that refused to break. We’ve always understood that when we tell our own stories, we own our future. So, to every Black writer, every journalist, every artist, and every creator: your work matters. It is vital, it is necessary, and it is part of the fabric that weaves us into a magnificent legacy.
The Future of Black Media
“A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.” —Marcus Garvey, posthumously pardoned 2025 (The Negro World, UNIA’s official newspaper )
As I write this, I am reminded that my role as a Black journalist is not just to report on history—but to be part of it.The work of Black media is never finished. We don’t just write about injustice—we challenge it. We don’t just document movements—we help build them.
Representative Rogers puts it best: “We want black media to thrive and be around for another 400 years.”
His words serve as a reminder that Black media is not just an industry—it’s a living legacy, one of resilience, empowerment, and transformation. And as long as there are stories to tell, injustices to expose, and truths to be preserved, the Black Press will continue to write history.
Because information is power—and that power belongs to us all.