By Staci Lawson, Alcorn State University The Plaindealer Newspaper office was located on Shelby and State Streets. This paper was the first successful Black newspaper in Detroit. It began publication in the 1880’s. This newspaper was published for over eleven years. The paper was started by William Anderson and Benjamin Pelham, along with three other supporters including: Robert A. Pelham, Walter A. Stewers, and Byron G. Redmond. They were known as the “Plaindealer Boys.” In its eleven years of running, the prices for subscribers were 50 cents for 3 months, $1.00 for 6-months, and $1.50 for a year. A later Black newspaper, the Michigan Chronicle, started in 1943, is currently published in Detroit. This African-American newspaper has one of the largest circulations in the United States. It costs 50 Cents an issue and is available for purchase at many local newstands. Another African-American newspaper that is available locally include the Michigan Citizen. It is published in Highland Park. Also, the Pittsburgh Courier, a prominent national Black newspaper is available at selected stores in Detroit. |
