The Norfolk Journal and Guide, a significant African American newspaper, was established in 1910 under the leadership of Plummer Bernard (P.B.) Young Sr. Originally a four-page weekly with a circulation of 500, it expanded to 32 pages and reached over 80,000 readers by the mid-1940s.

P.B. Young Sr., born on July 27, 1884, in Littleton, North Carolina, was a prominent journalist and community leader. He acquired the newspaper in 1910 and served as its editor and publisher until his retirement in 1946. Under his guidance, the Norfolk Journal and Guide became one of the leading Black-owned newspapers in the South, renowned for its moderate stance on interracial issues and its ability to attract advertisements from both local and national white-owned businesses. ?NC DNCR

The newspaper played a crucial role in advocating for the African American community, endorsing plans to improve city infrastructure, pushing for better housing, jobs, and schools, and campaigning against lynching during the 1920s. It also provided in-depth coverage of significant events, such as the Scottsboro trials in the 1930s, and pressed for integration in the defense industries and the War Department during the 1940s. ?PBS

P.B. Young Sr. passed away on October 9, 1962, leaving behind a legacy of journalistic excellence and community advocacy. His contributions were honored with a historical marker in Littleton, North Carolina, recognizing his impact as a leading Black journalist and publisher.