KAREN CARTER RICHARDS, NNPA CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

To our esteemed publishers, staff, guests, and viewers, I would like to welcome each and every one of you to the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Virtual 2021 National Convention. On behalf of our NNPA Executive Committee and our entire Board of Directors, we are grateful that you have taken the time to join us.

During the past 12 months, we all have experienced and witnessed very trying times due to the persistence of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic that continues to spread across the nation. Yet, we are here to reaffirm our mission and our purpose as the trusted voice of Black communities throughout the United States.

We have an informative program for the next two days as we celebrate the 194^th Anniversary of the Black Press of America and the 81st Anniversary of the NNPA.

Collectively, the NNPA represents the interests of 230 African American-owned newspapers and media companies throughout the United States. As always, we thank our partners and sponsors who help to make our National Convention possible.

DR. BENJAMIN F. CHAVIS JR., NNPA PRESIDENT AND CEO

On behalf of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), I am please to welcome you to the Virtual NNPA 2021 National Convention. Using the benefit of today’s technology platforms affords the opportunity for us to gather together virtually to address the issues, policies and interests of all of those who support freedom, justice and equality for all in America and throughout the world.

This is the 194th year of the Black Press of America.  We, therefore, take this moment to reaffirm our mission and purpose as the national trade association of the Black Press.  The NNPA is committed to representing the interests of the Black Press as well as the interests, concerns, and news relevant to Black America. We grateful the NNPA continues to make progress in a number of areas that help to sustain the Black Press.

Pluria Marshall Jr., Chairman of the NNPA Fund

I am pleased to welcome you to the Virtual NNPA 2021 National Convention.  As our nation is now undergoing another period of transition and change, it is important that the Black Press of America continues to be the “trusted” voice of equality, empowerment, and equity. Thus, we are convening virtually to reaffirm our mission and to ensure the future sustainability of the Black Press.