All archival images courtesy of the AFRO American Newspapers Archives .
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AFROO hea dquarter s , c . 1950
Murphy ’ s descendants , making it the longest-running African American family-owned newspaper business in the nation . Today , the company is helmed by their greatgranddaughter , Dr . Frances “ Toni ” Murphy Draper .
Since its humble beginnings as a four-page broadsheet , the AFRO has decried the unequal treatment of Black Baltimoreans in all realms of society , from education to housing to voting rights .
Dr . Carl J . Murphy led the company in its second generation and was a staunch advocate for civil rights in Baltimore and beyond . He used the editorial pages of the AFRO to push for the hiring of African Americans by Baltimore ’ s police and fire departments , to press for Black representation in politics , and for the establishment of a statesupported university to educate African Americans .
In 1930 , Murphy was offered the role of President for the Baltimore chapter of the NAACP . He turned the offer down due to his many work obligations , but remained closely involved with the organization . Five years later , he recommended Dr . Lillie May Carroll Jackson for the
Above : Carl Murphy c . 1951
Left : Dr . Lillie May Carroll Jackson in front of the NAACP building , 1959