Black Iowa's hidden stories: Newspaper shines light on important legacy of Black trailblazer Lulu Merle Johnson
The winter edition of the Black Iowa Newspaper will feature a Black trailblazer I'd never heard of but whom we all should know.
Happy Black History Month. The winter edition of the Black Iowa Newspaper will be available late next week. Inside, we’ll feature an amazing woman, LuLu Merle Johnson. I didn’t know about her, but journalist and author Rachelle Chase wrote a wonderful story for Black Iowa News about Johnson’s life and accomplishments. We’re so happy to share Johnson’s story with Black Iowans and others across the state.
If you don’t know who Johnson is, here’s a snippet. Johnson County, Iowa, was renamed for her. She was the first Black woman in Iowa to earn a doctorate in 1941 from the University of Iowa and “only the 10th Black woman to receive a doctorate from any American university,’ according to the university's website.
For her to achieve these feats in a segregated world where she wasn’t allowed to teach at the institution where she earned her degrees hints at her tenacity, bravery and moxie. She’s my new hero, and I’m sure she’ll become yours, too.
The Black Iowa Newspaper is on the move
Next weekend, we’ll begin to drive thousands of copies of the newspaper around the state, where the paper is free at 100 locations. If you have a business, organization or nonprofit and would like to become a distribution site, email me at dana@blackiowanews.com.
The newspaper contains inspirational stories about Black Iowans, and I hope you enjoy it.
If you would like to subscribe to the newspaper by mail, use this link. The cost is $49 for 4 issues.
If you would like to donate to help the newspaper’s sustainability, scan the QR code below.
Producing the Black Iowa Newspaper is hard work, and with the help of a tiny staff of contractors and contributors and a modest budget, I’m proud of what we are able to produce. It’s a joy and a necessity.
Black Iowans deserve to see themselves reflected in high-quality local journalism — especially now when state lawmakers, presidential candidates and others intentionally misrepresent diversity, equity and inclusion, seem determined to strip civil rights from an ever-growing list of people and appear to relish and revel in ignorance and hatred.
My mission, as founder and publisher, is to uplift our stories and voices, inspire and motivate our children, create an accurate historical record, write stories that matter and help all Iowans get to know us better.
In June, the Black Iowa Newspaper will celebrate its first anniversary. For that edition, we will need advertisers and sponsors. Reach out to me for a Media Kit and Rate card at dana@blackiowanews.com.
Thanks.
Founder & Publisher, Black Iowa News
Looking forward to the piece on Lulu Merle Johnson. Ironic that she could find employment in FL rather than IA. Wonder if we Iowans are “supposed” to learn about our true heritage!