The Afro-American has crusaded for racial equality and economic advancement for Black Americans for 125 years. In existence since August 13, 1892, John Henry Murphy Sr., a former slave who gained freedom following the passage of the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, started the paper when he merged his church publication, The Sunday School Helper. Today, afro.com, the online version of The Afro-American is a leading digital publication available to its readers… for free. For as little as $2.00, you can play a supporting role in helping us keep it that way.