Claude Barnett was an African American journalist known for creating "The Associated Negro Press". His publication last from 1919 to 1967. He was one of the most influential African Americans during the 1930's, and he served as a consultant to the United States Agriculture Department.
Personal Life
Barnett was born on September 16 1889 in Sanford, Florida to William Barnett and Celena Anderson. He then moved to Matton, Illinois to live with his grandmother. That is where he lived and went to school. In 1904 went to college at Tuskegee Institute. He graduated two years later in 1906. He died at the age of 78 due to cerebral hemorrhage. He died in his house on August 2 1967.
His newspaper
In 1913 Barnett started by reproducing photos of notable black people, and sold them. By 1917 his services became so popular that he had a thriving business dealing with mail in orders. He then went around the country to promote his photographs, catering mainly to a black audience. While advertising in mainly black newspapers he noticed a common trend, which is that they needed more substantive news. This caused him to create The Associated Negro Press, and it's main goal was to provide reliable and steady stream of news to news outlets. At first he bartered the news in exchange for advertising space, but he soon got a team of "stingers" who helped him get interesting news stories. He went on to charge $25 a week to provide news papers with the latest news.
Struggles and Difficulties
The most obvious difficulty Barnett faced was racism, there is a reason his business only catered to newspapers that catered to an African American community. In his travels he spoke of how racism affected his ability to gather news, and he often talked about the adverse affects of segregation. He also focused on the terrible living conditions of African Americans farmers that were tenants.
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