Houston Informer

On May 2, 1919, Clifton Frederick Richardson, Sr., founded and became editor/publisher of the African American newspaper, the Houston Informer in Houston, Texas. He published the first issue on May 24, 1919. The newspaper was published weekly, and Richardson received financial support to start this endeavor from Hobart Taylor, a local Black millionaire. S. B. Williams, a local teacher, was employed to serve as the publication’s city editor. C. A. Paillet was listed as city circulator, and Mayme R. Robinson was the associate editor. The Houston Informer was the first firm to occupy office space in the newly-erected Odd Fellows Temple. Richardson utilized subscription agents to increase readership and advertising agents to secure regional and national advertisements. Notices in the Informer during the 1920s stated that the newspaper had agents in five Texas towns, as well as in Atlanta, New York, and Chicago. The Café de Paris in London also sold copies of the journal.