133 Years—and we’re still telling the truth

By Frances Murphy Draper
AFRO CEO and Publisher

One hundred and thirty-three years. That’s how long the AFRO-American Newspapers, dba AFRO News, has been in business—100 percent Black-owned, family-owned and unapologetically committed to truth-telling. That alone is worth celebrating.

But it didn’t happen by accident—or without struggle.

We thank God first. Through wars and recessions, protests and pandemics, leadership changes and industry disruption, we are still standing because of divine provision and purpose.

My great-grandfather, John H. Murphy Sr., a formerly enslaved man, started the AFRO in 1892 with $200 from his wife, Martha Howard Murphy. He believed that Black people needed our own voice. That wasn’t just a business decision—it was an act of resistance. At a time when we were shut out of every institution of power, he dared to build one of our own.

And he wasn’t alone. The Philadelphia Tribune (est. 1884) and The Savannah Tribune (est. 1875) are still publishing. Bynes-Royall Funeral Home in Savannah began in 1878 during a yellow fever epidemic. McGuire Funeral Service in D.C. has served families since 1912. E.E. Ward Moving and Storage, founded in 1881, still moves goods across the country.

None of these businesses were born in comfort. They were born in crisis—and endured.

Today, we’re facing new crises. Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is under attack. Black history is being erased. The Black Press is fighting for air in a media landscape saturated with disinformation. Black businesses—still—face barriers to capital, contracts and credibility.

Earlier this year, a sweeping executive order dismantled decades of equity work in the federal government, eliminating DEI offices, programs and protections. Public funding was stripped from institutions like PBS and NPR. When truth-telling institutions are defunded or discredited, it sends a chilling message—especially to the Black Press—that facts are only welcome when they’re convenient.

But if you think that’s going to stop us, you don’t know our story.

At the AFRO, we’ve not only survived—we’ve led. Today, we are proudly digital-first, with a growing multimedia presence and nearly 675,000 social media followers. We still print our content-rich weekly edition, but most of our readers find us online, on their mobile phones, or through our Digital Billboard Network (DBN), which brings real-time news to 30+ community screens across Baltimore City and County.

We’re still family-run—now in our fourth and fifth generations. But the AFRO is more than the Murphy family. Our editors, writers, producers, designers, salespeople and support staff power this mission every day: truth without apology, Black history without erasure and community news that informs and uplifts.

We’re also building for the future. Our nonprofit partner, Afro Charities—led by fifth-generation family member Savannah Wood—is digitizing the AFRO’s archives to make them more accessible to the public. This groundbreaking work will be housed in the historic Upton Mansion, located in West Baltimore’s Upton neighborhood, long a center of Black culture and pride. The AFRO looks forward to becoming the anchor tenant in the new Afro Charities building once it opens in 2026.

To our readers, advertisers, community partners, and friends—thank you. Your trust and support have brought us this far.

To our board of directors and stockholders—thank you for your leadership and unwavering belief in our mission.

To our team—thank you for your hard work and shared commitment to excellence.

And yet—this is no time to be passive. If you value what Black-owned businesses bring to your community, your support must be intentional and ongoing.

So, here’s the plain truth:

If you love the Black Press, subscribe—and encourage others to do the same.

If you believe in Black entrepreneurs, buy from them.

If you see a business doing good work, amplify it.

If you’re on social media, follow them, tag them, share their stories.

And if you believe in trusted Black institutions, advertise with us, sponsor coverage or invest in our platform.

We can’t just applaud Black-owned businesses at galas and awards ceremonies, then disappear when it’s time to pay full price.

These businesses—ours included—aren’t museums. They are living institutions that employ people, serve families, shape culture, and carry the stories others try to bury.

So, as we celebrate 133 years, we do so with gratitude and urgency. The fight isn’t over. And neither are we.

To our fellow centennial businesses: we honor you.

To those just starting out: keep building. Keep believing.

To the next generation of Black entrepreneurs: may your journeys be bold, your impact lasting, and your visions funded. We pray we’re still here when you celebrate your centennials.

The work continues. The truth still speaks. And the mission remains.

“A newspaper succeeds because it believes in God, in itself, and in the present generation.”

— John H. Murphy Sr.

Founder, AFRO-American Newspapers, 1920