Web site companion to a film of the same name by Stanley Nelson. Includes information about the film and a transcript from the production. Provides background information on several African American newspapers, including the Chicago Defender, The California Eagle, The Afro-American, and The Pittsburgh Courier. Also includes biographies of African American reporters and writers including Charlotta Bass, Robert Lee Vann, John Henry Murphy, Robert S. Abbott, Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells, Gertrude Mossell, and Oliver Harrington. The site also includes a timeline of important events in the history of African American newspapers, information about modern African American journalists, interactive activities, and a list of events and resources.

The Civil Rights Digital Library received support from a National Leadership Grant for Libraries awarded to the University of Georgia by the Institute of Museum and Library Services for the aggregation and enhancement of partner metadata.