The Associated Negro Press (ANP) was the first American news service that catered specifically to the African American community. It was founded in 1919 by Claude A. Barnett, a prominent African American journalist and publicist. The ANP aimed to provide a platform for news and information related to the African American experience that was often overlooked or underrepresented in mainstream media at the time.
The news service distributed articles, photographs, and other content to a network of African American newspapers across the United States. These newspapers, in turn, would publish the material, helping to disseminate important news, events, and cultural happenings within the Black community.
Through the ANP, important stories related to civil rights, social justice, African American achievements, and community issues found their way into the national discourse. The ANP played a significant role in shaping public opinion and raising awareness about racial injustice and inequality, particularly during the civil rights movement of the mid-20th century.
As the civil rights movement gained momentum and mainstream media began to cover African American issues more extensively, the need for a separate news service catering solely to Black readers diminished. The ANP faced financial challenges and eventually ceased operations in the late 1970s. While the original ANP no longer exists, its legacy as an important institution in African American journalism and activism remains notable in the history of the United States.