The Truth Staff.
The first official Ohio Black Media Week, which was created in order to recognize the historic achievements of Black media entities – both locally and nationally, concluded in Toledo on March 21 with a reception at The Truth Art Colours Gallery. The event featured an address by state Representative Elgin Rogers who drove the effort to have Black media recognized by the state legislature and the governor.
An enthusiastic audience stopped by the Gallery to enjoy the art of Nikola Welcome-Bovell and other local artists, such as Klaire Russell and Aaron Bivins; to interact with the local elected officials and media representatives in attendance and to listen to several presentations about Ohio Black Media Week.
“Extra, Extra! Read All about it!
The first Black owned and operated newspaper began in New York 1827, founded by Reverend Peter Junior and other free Black men. It was a four-page column weekly newsletter from 1827 to 1829.
It was a vital source of information for the Black community, covering
regional, national and international news, as well as addressing issues
like slavery and colonization.” Jodie Summers, spoken word artist
Last week’s event was organized by Sheila Howard, a columnist with The Blade, with help from The Truth, Stalwart Magazine and The Juice, 107.3 Radio.
Stayce Fowler, publisher of Stalwart Magazine, spoke of her magazine’s features and informed the audience of her publication’s plans to change the name in a few months from Stalwart to Pursuit.
Also among the presentations was a spoken word piece by Jodie Summers who reminded the audience of the extensive history of Black media in this country in general and in Toledo in particular.
“Notable mentions from my neck of the woods, The Sojourner’s Truth Toledo Ohio
publisher and editor: Fletcher Word and the Toledo Journal publisher:
Sandra Stewart and editor: Myron Stewart.
Final Call publisher and editor: The Honorable minister Louis Farrakhan and the Bronze Raven created and published by Richard Belcher 1953-1976.” – Summers
In attendance on Friday were Toledo City Councilwomen Cerssandra McPherson and Brittany Jones, PhD, who on March11 introduced a resolution in Council the previous week to recognize Toledo Black Media Week honoring both the past Black media entities and current ones such as the Toledo Journal, The Sojourner’s Truth, The Juice 107.3 and Stalwart Magazine.
“Black print and electronic media have a rich and important history in contributing to the diverse voices of greater Toledo and Northwest Ohio civic conversation,” reads the City Council resolution.
Rep. Rogers wrapped up the presentations by drawing the audience’s attention to why the Black media is still so important in such challenging political times. He reflected on “the rich deep history [of Black media] during the Civil Rights Movement” while also noting that Black media is “more than just newspapers and magazines,” as he acknowledged the presence of the Social Butterfly herself, Donnetta Carter, who plays such an important role in local social media of informing about events in the community.
“The key is having good, accurate information,” said Rogers of the role that those entities outside of mainstream media play.
Rogers started the process to create an Ohio Black Media Week at the beginning of the year by reaching out to state Rep. Vernon Sykes and then reaching across the aisle to Republicans such as state Rep. Josh Williams.
During these political times, observed Rogers, as he referred to efforts in the Nation’s Capital to eliminate not just diversity, equity and inclusion programs but also to whitewash history by wiping out references to contributions by people of color, “we gotta quit taking things for granted … the fight isn’t over.”
