For more than a century, AFRO News has been the eyes and ears of the Black community—amplifying the voices, stories, achievements and struggles of African Americans that have historically been overlooked or ignored by mainstream media. Its origins date back to Aug. 13, 1892, when John Henry Murphy Sr., a formerly enslaved man, founded the paper after borrowing $200 from his wife, Martha Elizabeth Howard Murphy, to purchase a printing press and rights to the newspaper’s name.
Now, 134 years later, the family-owned newspaper-turned-media company is preparing to revive its roots in West Baltimore with a move to the Upton Mansion, located at 811 W. Lanvale St. in West Baltimore.
The historic property will soon house the AFRO, its nonprofit partner Afro Charities and the news organization’s extensive archival collection—encompassing more than 3 million photographs, thousands of letters and physical newspapers and rare audio recordings.
“The move to the Upton Mansion is much more than a change of address. It represents the next chapter of the AFRO’s story,” said Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, great-granddaughter of John H. Murphy Sr…