The BLACKout returns to MU
The student publication focuses on the university's black community.
Published Feb. 9, 2010
After 38 years of absence two journalism students brought back a long-forgotten publication on the campus in the BLACKout last semester.
"We are not this angry revolutionary publication; we just want to give the black population on this campus a voice," BLACKout co-founder Veronica Wells said. "If it concerns the black community then we will be sure to touch on it with this publication."
The Legion of Black Collegians started a publication called BLACKout in 1969, and it printed for two years. Its original purpose in the late '60s was to help bridge the racial gap at MU. In 1971, the project was discontinued and has been missing from the campus for nearly four decades.
The idea of bringing the BLACKout back to campus has been loosely tossed around since 2007 by various executive board members of the National Association of Black Journalists. Nothing had been put into action until a promise was made by one of the co-founders to do what had for so long been nothing but a discussed goal.
"When I ran for vice president of NABJ, I said I would bring back the BLACKout, and so I made sure to keep my promise," BLACKout co-founder Victoria Uwumarogie said.
Both Uwumarogie and Wells are students in the School of Journalism. Uwumarogie conceptualized the idea of what the contemporary BLACKout should be and Wells designed the actual site and they both wrote and edited the first few stories.
"With Veronica being convergence and myself being print the BLACKout received the best of both worlds," Uwumarogie said.
Wells and Uwumarogie said the BLACKout is not only a resume-builder and the reincarnation of a historic publication but, more importantly, it is a tool to be taken advantage of by developing journalists.
"My inspiration for the BLACKout is just knowing that we are providing the next generation with a tool to get better," Wells said.
Since the BLACKout returned to campus, the student body has received it very well, Wells said. The BLACKout Web site averages at least 2,000 views per month. Both co-founders said they're pleased with the job they've done so far but still have goals for the legacy the BLACKout will leave.
"I know there are certain stories that people want that are not told, I want this publication to fill that void," Wells said. "I want us to be considered a viable news source of Columbia."
