Where Our Stories Live On...

The Obsidian Collection + Newspapers.com join forces

When I started The Obsidian Collection Archives, the mission was simple: amplify the voices found in Black Legacy Newspapers. Those papers told the truth about who we were—our families, our communities, our genius. They documented what mainstream media either ignored or distorted. My goal was to make sure those stories didn’t stay buried in boxes or forgotten in basements.

Today, I’m proud to announce a major step forward in that mission. Through our new partnership with Newspapers.com, we now have a custom portal that gives public access to more than two million pages of Black newspaper archives. These pages hold the real stories of our people—told by us, for us.

What I’ve learned since launching The Obsidian Collection Archives is that the need is far greater than I imagined. There are millions more pages out there that haven’t been digitized yet. So many voices still waiting to be heard. So many truths still locked away.

And in those pages—it’s not just the pain and protest. There’s joy. There are Black sororities hosting fashion shows in the ’40s, neighborhood block parties, church anniversaries, and jazz nights at clubs we’ve never heard of but feel instantly connected to. The advertisements, the community announcements—they remind us that celebration has always been part of our survival.

We weren’t just fighting for justice. We were living, laughing and building culture. That’s history too—and it deserves to be seen.

This alliance doesn’t just shine a light on what’s already been preserved. The Obsidian Collection is helping amplify that work and make it accessible—to students, journalists, creators, researchers, and anyone who wants to understand the full picture of Black life in America.

And let’s be honest: in today’s political climate, this kind of access matters more than ever. We’re living in a time when history is being challenged, censored, even erased. That makes what we’re doing urgent. These stories aren’t just history—they’re evidence. Proof that we’ve always been here, building, creating, surviving, and thriving. We are refusing to let the voices of our ancestors fade.

This collaboration is a milestone, but it’s not the end. It is fuel for what comes next. We invite you to explore the portal, share what you find, and join us as we make sure our stories are never erased, never forgotten, and always heard—on our terms.

Take a Look: Black Legacy Newspaper Archives