Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet: 1894 1909

This curation, transcription, and interpretation of the Richmond Planet opens a window into fundamental issues of race, equity, justice, violence, and power that still stir the nation today. Thirteen formerly enslaved men formed the Richmond Planet in Virginia's capital city in 1882. Two years later, John R. Mitchell, Jr., 21 years old, assumed the editorship of the paper. He would lead the Planet for the next 45 years. This site presents primary source articles, images, and documents from the newspaper. Some of the material, particularly with respect to lynchings, may be disturbing to some.