By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO

While storms and even tornadoes threatened the Greater Washington Area on March 16, a spirit of peace reigned inside the sanctuary of Metropolitan AME Church during a special worship service. 

The pastor, the Rev. William H. Lamar IV,  his congregation and a host of visitors gathered on the second Sunday of Lent to observe Black Press Sunday and celebrate the ministries of journalists, photographers, editors, publishers and all those who help the institution survive and thrive. 

Sacramento Observer Publisher Larry Lee (left) is recognized as a giant of Black Press, with his brother, William Lee Jr., and NNPA Fund Chair Karen Carter Richards at his side.
NNPA President and CEO Dr. Ben Chavis (left), celebrates New York Beacon Publisher Ash Smith for his work in Black media. Smith was joined by his wife and son, Tyler and Coreen “Ci” Smith, respectively; NNPA Fund Chair Karen Carter Richards and Bobby R. Henry Sr., NNPA chairman.

While the service represented a collaborative effort between the Washington Association of Black Journalists and the AFRO -American Newspapers, it also saluted the efforts of Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of The Washington Informer, whose publication marks its 60th year of service to the D.C. community this year. 

“I want to thank Pastor Lamar who graciously invited us to worship with him and this congregation today 

and to celebrate the faith, freedom and hard work of the Black Press,” Rolark Barnes said. “To the journalists, editors and publishers, your work is a ministry, and you are the scribes of our times who ensure that our truth is told, our struggles are documented, and our victories are celebrated.”

Rolark Barnes said in many ways, the mission of the Black Press, which will soon mark 200 years of service, has remained unchanged since the first African American-owned and operated newspaper, “Freedom’s Journal,” was founded in New York City on March 16, 1827.

Howard University School of Communications Department Chair and associate professor Ingrid Sturgis speaks as Dr. Yanick Lamb looks on.
NNPA fund Community Board Member Lester Booker takes a moment with NNPA President Dr. Ben Chavis.

“We stand on the shoulders of giants like Frederick Douglass, who worshiped in this church and who founded and edited the anti-slavery newspaper, ‘The North Star’ (Dec. 3, 1847, Rochester, New York),” she said. “Douglass laid the foundation for Black journalism as a tool of liberation. Now, nearly two centuries after the founding of the Black Press, we remain steadfast in our demands for justice. 

“As for the publishers of ‘Freedom’s Journal,’ its founders included a Presbyterian minister (Samuel Cornish) and a journalist (John Russwurm) who understood that information is power, and that truth is sacred. Journalism is not a profession, it’s a purpose,” concluded Rolark Barnes, who then presented to Rev. Lamar her personal copy of “Prayer and Pen: The Prayers and Legacy of Carl Murphy, Publisher of the AFRO-American Newspapers (1922-1967),” written by her friend and colleague, the current publisher of The AFRO and Murphy’s granddaughter, Rev. Frances Murphy Draper.

Words from the pulpit in a layman’s voice 

The morning speaker for the event was a member of the laity, Ravi Perry, a celebrated author and professor of political science at Howard University spoke during the service. 

The theme of his sermon, “Because God Anointed Me,” focused on his belief that when one is anointed by God, it serves as “an invitation to join God in the battle and to accept the call toward active participation in God’s revolution, right here and right now.” 

NNPA Fund Chair Karen Carter Richards enjoys Black Press Sunday with NNPA Fund Executive Director and nonprofit consultant, Kelly P. Hodges.
Shown here, Howard University Professor Wilson Clint with Omaha Star Publisher Terri Sanders.

“To handle the pain we’re suffering today, we, like any good runner, will need endurance,” Perry said. “Given today’s headlines, it’s easy to just tune the stuff out– but thank God for the Black Press, whose daily witness is astounding.

AFRO Founder John Henry Murphy Sr. is honored on Black Press Sunday on March 16 in Washington, D.C.

“They hold the archives of our contributions in this country, despite America’s White supremacists who want to erase our stories. And that’s not only about what’s printed and what we read. It’s also about what isn’t said and what’s not printed. So, I challenge you, the Black Press, to continue to be a disturber of what some call peace,” he said. 

Toward the conclusion of his sermon, Perry reminded the congregation that the movement is far from over.

“For those who are not members of the Black Press, we cannot afford to be silent, particularly as we face a resurgence of White supremacy,” he said. “But we’ve been here before. Our ancestors have shown us the way. Black people have survived and thrived before. No matter what comes next, we can turn around and walk forth through the crowd with the spirit of the Lord as our guide. Because of our anointing we have the power to turn around and face anything.”

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