Detroit Plaindealer (1883–1894) also known as simply The Plaindealer, was an American newspaper that served the Black community and was published in Detroit.[1] Since 2020, the former newspaper publishing building has a historical marker at 1114 Washington Boulevard in the Capitol Park district in Detroit.[1]
History
The newspaper was founded by brothers Benjamin Pelham and Robert Pelham Jr., Walter H. Stowers, and William H. Anderson; and was advertised as "Detroit’s first Afro-American newspaper".[1][2][3] Its news reporting included abolitionist activities. It served the African American communities throughout the midwest.[2][4] It opened doors for expanding and connecting African American businesspeople, politicians, government service workers and civil rights leaders within the Detroit community.[2]Meta E. Pelham worked as a reporter for the newspaper.[5] In 1892, the newspaper was published in both Detroit and in Cincinnati, Ohio.[6]
The Detroit Plaindealer closed in 1894 after financial struggles.[1]The Afro-American Press and Its Editors (1891) book includes a profile on the newspaper and its employees.
