About Us
History The only local African-American newspaper continuously published since 1928, The St. Louis American newspaper has emerged as the leading, trusted voice of the area’s African-American community. The St. Louis American was founded by Judge Nathan B. Young and several African-American businessmen, including Homer G. Phillips. At the time, the American was an eight page “paid” tabloid, with a circulation of just over 2,000. In came Nathaniel Sweets less than a year later. Sweets helped keep the American alive for more than 45 years as an owner/publisher. Throughout the 1940s, ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, the American continued to gain respect and readership, through its venerable editor Bennie G. Rodgers. Rodgers, who worked for the paper for more than 50 years, is still known as the “dean of black journalism in St. Louis.” Current publisher Donald M. Suggs took the reigns of The St. Louis American in the early 1980s. Suggs’ first major move: the paper had to move from being a paid newspaper to a free weekly newspaper to effectively and efficiently reach the rapidly growing (and dispersing) African-American population in the St. Louis area. When Suggs took over the newspaper, it had a circulation of approximately 4,400. Today The St. Louis American is now a nationally-recognized, multi-platform media entity, with a highly-read newspaper, a heavily-viewed website (featuring components such as video, social networking and viewer interaction), a consistent presence on local radio and television, as well as being a convener of local touch events in the community. The St. Louis American now boasts 70,000 copies every Thursday, making it the second largest weekly newspaper in the entire state of Missouri, and THE largest independent weekly (of any type) in the state. The American is distributed at more than 845 locations throughout St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and portions of Illinois. Over the past three years alone, The St. Louis American has garnered more than 200 local, regional, and national awards for excellence in journalism and design, and commitment to the community. Three times in the last four years, the American placed second for ‘Best Weekly Newspaper in North America’ by Suburban Newspapers of America, representing the sole independent newspaper to place in the competition. The American has been named the ‘#1 African-American Newspaper in the Nation’ six times in recent years by the National Newspaper Publishers’ Association. A niche publication, The St. Louis American provides our readers with information that is important and relevant to them....information from an African-American perspective. Whether it’s hard news, religion news, entertainment, sports, or profiles of local successful African-Americans, the American provides a unique, well-respected vehicle, unmatched in the Midwest, that gives African Americans a credible voice. As a hyper-local media entity, we make sure our readers see themselves in the American every week. In 1929, Nathaniel Sweets’ vision of The St. Louis American was “to give a voice to the African-American community that was lacking, and bring them information they could use. The St. Louis American should carry news tailored to the African-American community and anybody who wants to know about it.” Sweets’ vision still holds true today.
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