The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) represents the organized voice, resilience, and power of the Black Press in America. On the eve of Black History Month, NNPA has identified the top Black newsmakers of the first quarter of the 21st century, honoring Black impact through legacy, liberty, and justice. This list serves as a living historical record—centering Black leadership, innovation, and influence while documenting the present with intention for future generations.
NNPA staff analyzed headlines and reporting from the past 25 years across more than 200 Black-owned newspapers nationwide, reaching an estimated 20 million readers through print and digital platforms. From that review, one name rose above all others.
Since the 2012 killing of Trayvon Martin thrust him into the national spotlight, civil rights attorney Ben Crump has accumulated a distinction unmatched by any other Black American in the first quarter of the century. According to NNPA sources, Crump has appeared in more major national headlines over the past 25 years than any other Black figure—outpacing presidents, entertainers, athletes, and cultural icons.
“Every time my name appears, it means we’re facing a constitutional crisis, winning a landmark case, or representing a family dealing with unimaginable loss,” Crump said. “The attention is not about me. It’s about forcing America to confront what it too often wants to ignore.”
Crump ranks first among Black Americans most cited in national headlines from 2000 to 2026. Former President Barack Obama ranks second, followed by Serena Williams, LeBron James, Vice President Kamala Harris, Simone Biles, Kanye West, Beyoncé, Michelle Obama, and Oprah Winfrey.
While President Obama’s historic rise as the nation’s first Black president dominated headlines for more than a decade, his post-presidency has been marked by a deliberate step back from the 24-hour news cycle. Williams, James, and Biles defined their eras through athletic dominance—Williams with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, James as the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, and Biles as the most decorated gymnast in history.
Vice President Harris made history as the first woman and first Black woman elected vice president, following her earlier milestone as California’s first Black U.S. senator. Oprah Winfrey reshaped global media, becoming one of the most powerful figures in television history through her 25-year syndicated talk show and business empire. Kanye West, by contrast, generated sustained headlines through controversy, creativity, and public volatility.
Crump’s presence in the news, however, emerged not from celebrity or office, but from courtrooms and calls for justice. Since Trayvon Martin, he has represented families connected to the deaths of Michael Brown, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery; led litigation on behalf of Flint water crisis victims; and spearheaded major cases involving corporate negligence, medical racism, and discriminatory practices.
His recent victories include a $779.3 million wrongful death verdict for the family of Lewis Butler, one of the largest negligent security awards in U.S. history. Other landmark recoveries include $641 million for Flint children, $310 million for a child killed at an amusement park, $98.5 million for the family of Botham Jean, and major settlements in civil rights and discrimination cases nationwide.
Dubbed “Black America’s Attorney General” by Rev. Al Sharpton, Crump says his mission is simple: “to raise the value of Black life in America.”
“I would trade every headline if it meant Black people and poor people could achieve equal justice under the law,” Crump said. “Until that day comes, I will keep showing up.”
NNPA Executive Director Dr. Ben Chavis said the list reflects more than media presence. “These individuals represent the hopes, aspirations, and collective achievements of Black America in the 21st century.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)
