In November 1969, the Black Student Movement printed the first issue of its newspaper, Black Ink. The paper consisted of news, opinions, and poetry related to African American issues: “black ink expressing black ideas.”
The BSM founded the paper because it saw the Daily Tar Heel as a newspaper for white students. Student Government allotted $2,200 for Black Ink, which was published at the black-owned Service Printing Company of Durham. The paper’s original motto was “Voice of Black Liberation,” Cureton Johnson served as the first editor, deeming himself the newspaper’s “HNIC.”
Black Ink is the official publication of the Black Student Movement (BSM) on UNC’s campus. Over the years, the publication has transformed into a newsletter, magazine, and now into the current online format. The Black Ink was created to be the black voice on campus and it continues to serve as an outlet for African American students on campus to voice their opinions, thoughts and ideals. Our staff is a diverse combination of writers, photographers, and graphic designers who use their individual talents to report issues that are affecting the Black and Carolina communities. Our mission remains, “If Blackness can be transformed into pictures and words, we intend to do so, by any means necessary.”