Designer
No specific graphic designer is listed; however, Andrew Jackson Cooper, was one of the first black graphic designers who worked for the Afro American from 1892 to 1929.
Year
1892
Client
The readers are consumers who serve as the client of the Afro American franchise.
The Afro American newspaper is one of the oldest and most influential African American newspapers in the United States. Founded in 1892 by John H. Murphy Sr., a former enslaved man, and his wife, Martha Howard Murphy. The newspaper has been a voice for the African American community, chronicling its history, struggles, and triumphs.
The Afro American newspaper has undergone several iterations in design and content. Originally written in an editorial style, the newspaper covered instructional topics on child rearing, religious worship, and etiquette. Such content was important during that time because African Americans had only been freed from slavery for 30 years and the newspaper served to ensure its readers were the best representatives of the African American community. The newspaper also published content about Jim Crow laws and other forms of discrimination and has been a platform for African American activists, writers, and artists. The banner has undergone many iterations and today runs with a sans serif black type face.
Today, the Afro American newspaper has expanded beyond a print publication and is a global media company. The Afro Media Company has an array of print, digital, and social media products that reach more than 1 million consumers weekly. The design represents one of tradition as the legacy continues. Top U.S. markets include Baltimore, MD; Washington, DC; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Chicago, IL; Atlanta, GA; Houston, TX; and Los Angeles, CA. Global markets include Nigeria, India, Brazil, United Kingdom, and South Africa.
Sources Cited
https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc4900/sc4968/html/summary.html
https://afro.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/2020-AFRO-Media-Kit-Revised-1.pdf
