 Some notable black newspapers of the 19th century were "Freedom's Journal" (1827–29), Philip Alexander Bell's "Colored American" (1837–41), the "North Star" (1847–60), the "National Era", The "Frederick Douglass Paper" (1851–63), the "Douglass Monthly" (1859–63), and the "Christian Recorder" (1861–1902)

In the 1860s, the newspapers the "Elevator" and the "Pacific Appeal" emerged in California as a result of black participation in the Gold Rush.In the late 19th century, the main reason that newspapers were created was to uplift the black community.Many black people sought to assimilate into larger society and Northern blacks felt that it was their duty to educate Southern blacks on the mores of Victorian society.