Every Thursday for 130 years — without fail — the Indianapolis Recorder has hit the streets, landing in homes, barbershops, churches and businesses across Indiana.
That’s more than 6,760 issues of truth-telling: more than 6,760 bold declarations that Black lives, stories, and futures matter. In an industry that often sidelines voices of color, the Recorder has stood as a steady drumbeat — documenting, defending and defining what it means to be Black in America’s heartland.
And yet, the Recorder is far more than just a newspaper. It is a time capsule, driven by OurNewsYourVoice. A launchpad for leaders. A mirror for generations.
A Legacy born from purpose
Founded in 1895 by George P. Stewart and Will Porter as a modest church bulletin, the Recorder was never just about headlines — it was about healing and empowerment.
Over the decades, it has become a trusted lifeline for news and information that is too often overlooked by mainstream media. From covering lynchings in the early 1900s to mobilizing voters during the Civil Rights Movement, the Recorder chronicled history as it happened, written by and for the community it served.
Today, that same mission remains. As Recorder Media Group President and CEO Robert Shegog explains:
“To survive 130 years as a Black-owned newspaper isn’t just rare — it’s revolutionary. It’s because we have always been rooted in community. Our mission hasn’t changed: to preserve and amplify the stories that make us who we are.”
Ink that builds identity
For many, the Recorder was the first place they saw themselves in print.
Local youth honored for academic achievements. Pastors celebrated for servant leadership. Small businesses are recognized for their contributions to economic equity. These weren’t just stories — they were affirmations.
That sense of identity-building extended beyond the page. Under the leadership of former publisher Carolene Mays, the Recorder became a hub for innovation and workforce development.
“We didn’t just want to report the news,” Mays said. “We wanted to also tell positive stories and train the next generation to tell all of it. That meant internships, mentorships and showing Black kids they have worth and belong in media — on the byline, behind the camera and in the boardroom.”
Her vision continues through programs like JAWS (Journalism and Writing Seminars), which equip high school students with tools to become tomorrow’s storytellers.
Preserving Black history — One issue at a time
Every Recorder archive holds a piece of Black Indiana history.
Anniversaries and obituaries. Marches and murals. Weddings and protests. These pages serve as a cultural blueprint for future generations. That’s why in 2011, the Recorder digitized its historic archives, ensuring this legacy remains accessible and protected.
And yet, preservation alone isn’t enough. Continued representation in media, especially locally, is essential to advancing racial equity and economic mobility. According to the Pew Research Center, only 7% of newsroom employees in the U.S. are Black. The Recorder isn’t just an exception to the rule — it’s a defiant refusal to let that be the norm.
The power of celebration: Champions of Impact Awards
This commitment to representation culminates each year in one of Indiana’s most anticipated events: the Champions of Impact Awards.
Held annually by the Indianapolis Recorder and Indiana Minority Business Magazine, the Champions of Impact Awards honors individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to diversity and inclusion in Indiana. The event is more than an awards ceremony — it’s a cultural moment. A gathering of students, CEOs, civic leaders and elders. A reminder that progress happens when we uplift one another.
“Champions of Impact Awards is our way of saying: we see you. We value what you bring. And we are stronger together,” Shegog said. “It’s not just about the people on stage — it’s about building a stage for the future.”
Revenue from the event helps sustain the Recorder’s journalism and community programs throughout the year. It’s a moment for the city to invest — not just in a newspaper — but in a powerful, proven force for equity.
How the community can help write the next chapter
As we celebrate this 130-year milestone, the Recorder invites the Central Indiana community to do what it has always done: show up, invest in each other, and protect the institutions that protect us.
Here’s how:
Attend the Champions of Impact Awards. Support the event that honors equity changemakers — and sustains one of the most vital Black-owned media voices in the country.
Sponsor or donate. Help fund internship programs like JAWS and the ongoing digitization of archives.
Share your story. Whether you’re a student, entrepreneur, artist or neighbor, send your milestones and memories. Your story is our story.
Subscribe and read weekly. Stay informed. Stay connected. Stay proud.
“The Recorder has survived and thrived for well over a century due to the collective efforts of the hard-working folks who’ve served at the paper and the community,” stated Shannon Williams, former president and publisher of the Recorder, who worked at the historic publication from 2000 to 2018. “We’ll need to keep that same momentum to ensure the legacy of quality, independent journalism remains. My hope is for us all to unite to preserve the Recorder for generations to come.”
A future as bold as its past
6,760 issues later, the Indianapolis Recorder remains more than a newspaper — it is a living promise.
A promise that Black stories will not be erased. That Black futures will not be ignored. And that in the city’s heartbeat, a steady voice will always remain.
As Shegog said, “We’ve made it 130 years because we never forgot who we serve. But to get to 140, we’ll need everyone — every reader, every sponsor, every storyteller — to keep writing with us.”
The pen is still moving. The presses are still running. And the Recorder’s story isn’t over. In fact, it’s just beginning a new chapter.
