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Save The Wilmington Journal

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North Carolina’s oldest and largest African American newspaper. The newspaper,
established in 1927, is an outgrowth of R. S. Jervay Printers which was established
in 1901. The newspaper is a weekly publication that addresses community
concerns and issues with articles and photographs for and about Wilmington’s
Black community. In 1898, Wilmington’s only Black-owned daily newspaper,
“The Daily Record” was destroyed during the 1898 Wilmington Massacre and
Coup D’état, the only government takeover in American history. Owner and
publisher, Alex Manly, wrote an article defending and comparing the relationship
of choice between Black men and white women versus the forced relationship of
white men on Black women.
             The white citizens of Wilmington used this article as
the spark to put into effect the long-planned coup enlisting a band of thugs and the
Wilmington Light Militia. Countless Black citizens were massacred or fled the city.
White citizens burned or claimed Black businesses and “The Daily Record” was
burned to the ground. The founder of The Wilmington Journal, the late Thomas C.
Jervay, had worked with local, state, and national leaders which included President
John F. Kennedy and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr to help end racial
disparities. The Wilmington Journal brought justice in 2013 to The Wilmington
Ten who were wrongfully convicted in 1970’s. A Pardon of Innocence was
rendered by former Governor Beverly Perdue, as spearheaded by journalist Cash
Michaels and the Journal’s current editor, Mary Alice Thatch.  The Wilmington
Journal has aided the Black community for close to a century. In 1971, other
buildings were being bombed and burned, there was a dramatic bomb scare to the
Wilmington Journal’s building.
                 Despite the bomb scare, the management and staff stood tall giving a voice to the Black community without fear or favor.  Due to COVID-19 and many other hardships the paper has faced unprecedented challenges. We truly believe that this community anchor is more than worthy to receive support from the people it has so diligently served. It would be a disservice not to save this Black publication. The fundraising target is $95,00 to save the building from auction and to make much needed renovations.




All checks can be mailed to: PO Box 10686 Wilmington NC 28404
All checks made to NCBLC In The Memo write Saving The Wilmington Journal

Fundraising team (2)

Dorian Cromartie
Organizer
Wilmington, NC
Deborah Maxwell
Team member

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