By Amber Campbell-Wheeler
Afro Charities
On the brisk evening of Feb. 13, several women and a few men gathered inside Baltimore’s Stem and Vine, a verdant plant and wine shop located at 326 North Charles Street, in hopes of finding connections of all kinds during this season of love. The event, a mixer and networking session, was centered around Afro Charities’ series, “Re-Reading the News.” This ongoing conversation program was inspired by the AFRO Archives’ “Lonesome Hearts” column, which first debuted in July 1933.
Through the creative endeavors of managing editor William N. Jones and switchboard operator Susan Hearns Clark—under the pen name “Albertine Ashe”—the “Lonesome Hearts: An Exchange for the Lovelorn” section in the AFRO-American Newspaper impacted over 71,000 readers by 1947. Each week, hundreds of letters poured in from subscribers across the country, all seeking guidance from Miss Albertine on how to form meaningful connections.
Fast forward to today, and the need for genuine bonds remains ever-present. Recognizing this, the Afro Charities team saw an opportunity to bring back the Lonesome Hearts experience—but with a modern twist. Instead of traditional letters sent by post, they created a Google Form where anyone with the link could submit a digital “letter” while keeping the historic tradition of pen names and subject lines.
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Feb. 1942 – Miss Mabel Bailey of 1403 Lakeview Avenue, Richmond and her nine-month-old daughter, Barbara Ann, are displaying that old-fashioned love. (AFRO Archives) -
May 1946 (AFRO Archives) -
March 1947 (AFRO Archives) -
Deyane Moses (left), director of programs for Afro Charities, and Nichole Hill, an award-winning podcast creator, discuss the AFRO’s “Lonesome Hearts” column during an installment of the Afro Charities’ series, “Re-Reading the News.” (AFRO Photo)
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Dec 1947 (AFRO Archives) -
Oct. 1970 (AFRO Archives) -
June 1957 (AFRO Archives) -
June 1957 – Martin Luther King Jr. speaks with the AFRO about the courtship of wife, Coretta Scott King (not shown), and their future plans. (AFRO Archives) -
Feb. 1957 – Radiant couple Mr. and Mrs. Edward Jenkins display happiness and contentment as they leave St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church in Newark, New Jersey where they were married Jan. 19, 1957 by Rev. Louis Hunton Berry, rector. The bride is the former Miss Jennie Millard, daughter of Mr. And Mrs. James Millard, of 170 S. 10th St., Newark.
(AFRO Archives) -
Feb. 1947 (AFRO Archives) -
Feb. 1938 – Judging from the smile Miss Pauline Johnson of Baltimore has as she reads a Valentine’s verse, the letter is surely from an admirer. Miss Johnson is the daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Clarence Johnson and a senior at Morgan College. (AFRO Archives) -
Nov. 1937 (AFRO Archives)
One particularly charming letter came from “Love-Love,” a “competitive and fun-loving 36-year-old woman looking for tennis and billiards partners of all ages and genders,” signing off with the tagline “Playful Competition.”
As submissions poured in, it became clear that love was the ultimate goal for 63.6 percent of writers. Meanwhile, 36.4 percent sought friendship or weren’t entirely sure what they were looking for.
Guests arrived dressed in a spectrum of colors, from vibrant reds to sleek blacks and crisp whites. They were greeted with heart-shaped lollipops, blank name tags, and the chance to sip on the signature Albertine martini. Among those in attendance were “Love-Love,” “Cosmopolitan,” and “Lovergirl98.”
The evening opened with a reading from a past AFRO article, setting the tone for a thoughtful discussion led by Nichole Hill, an award-winning audio showrunner and podcast creator, alongside Deyane Moses, director of programs for Afro Charities. The conversation explored how the AFRO Archives connect modern Black communities with the lives and experiences of their ancestors.
Savannah Wood, executive director of Afro Charities, noted how women, time and again, prove to be at the forefront of fostering intimacy and connection. As the night progressed, attendees exchanged Instagrams, emails and business cards, while others captured the moment with pictures, videos, and gentle sways to the Lonesome Hearts playlist.
By the event’s end, one thing was clear—the Afro Charities team had succeeded in creating a space where real-life connections blossomed from an online call to action. With this success in mind, the organization looks forward to growing and expanding the Lonesome Hearts series in the future.
The post Letters, love and legacy: The AFRO’s historic column comes to life again appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.
