We were always with my parents which meant I was always with Northend Agent’s. It was an additional family member in our household. Any decisions that were being made around and for this institution was done in the presence of my sisters and I. This included media crisis’s, strategy, collecting payments, off the record meetings, advocacy, the layout and the delivery. There wasn’t any part of Northend Agent’s that didn’t include the Allen girls. Which meant from an early age we were learning the importance of black media. There is a distinction between our stories being told by us and for us. You can see the difference in the tone of editorials, the color placement of ads with our images in them and most importantly being able to look at a publication that understood Black and Brown issues. That was engrained in our community being able to see and know without a doubt the value Northend Agent’s has to Black and Brown Folks.
Northend Agent’s has always been the trusted source for people in the Greater Hartford area. Our publication tells it to you straight no chaser even when understanding the truth is not always comfortable, but it is necessary. We have and will continue to advocate for this town and its people. Northend Agent’s provides solutions as well as a safe space to have conversations amongst ourselves. In the last year black media has been put on the back burner across the nation.
However, black media is worthy of the attention and support of all those in the community. This includes politicians not just during election time. As well black business and not just when they’re looking for a handout. Each time you choose not to acknowledge or advertise with black media you are disparaging households of voters and dollars. Our readers votes and dollars are significant. Black folks’ matter especially when guns are rampant in our communities. We matter when there are no jobs in these neighborhoods. In particular the neighborhoods that federal funding is being pursued based on the demographics in that area.
Our children are in a failing education system that is often unable to provide our kids with their own textbooks. The current structure capitalizes off of parents not being able to advocate for their children. In the Greater Hartford area, citizens are being released from jail with the hope of having a second chance. This often comes accompanied with them being dropped off at the capital with no support. Which leads to our churches greeting each one of them and providing the support that the city fails to.
Most of us are led to believe that our very existence is problematic. Between the blatant racism that plagues America and the poverty pimping of our cities so many folks are left feeling inadequate or invisible. This reality leaves most folks of colored living in a space of fear and frustration. Northend Agent’s is determined to still be the safe space for us to have authentic and organic conversations. It is imperative for our communities to support black media and, we want to be clear support doesn’t just come in the form of ad dollars.
Here are some specific ways you can support Northend Agent’s and other black media:
- Tell a friend to grab the latest edition!
- Become an active part of our social media community!
- Submit editorials!
- Encourage emerging creatives to join our teams!
- Share our articles online!
- Send us a note with your thoughts about the editions!
- Invite us to community events!
- Tell us where else you would like to see our publications!
- Join our subscription list!
- Invite and welcome us to city meetings!
- Partner with us!
- Sponsor an edition!
- When you have the advertising budget spend It with one of us!
- Pray for us and our teams!
This edition features the work of both local and national creatives discussing and celebrating black media. This edition explores black media historically, the value of it as well as the ways it’s adjusting to technology and the changes with it. It is always our hope that each edition is a blessing to you.
May God’s Love, Peace, Health and Prosperity Be Yours
Sasha Allen Walton
Editor-in-Chief
