The Dawn of Tomorrow

The Dawn of Tomorrow was a Black Canadian newspaper first published in 1923 by James Jenkins in London, Ontario. The paper circulated across Canada from 1923-1971 with a maximum readership of 4000-5000.[1] The paper's motto was, "Devoted to the interests of the darker race."[2]

Content

Religion and Spirituality

Religion was an integral part of The Dawn of Tomorrow. The paper regularly reported on the Sunday services of the British Methodist Episcopal (BME) church in London.[3] Despite this, Jenkins used The Dawn to criticize the BME church, asserting that it was not doing enough to encourage Black collectivity and thriving in Canada.[4]

The Canadian League for the Advancement of Colored People

In 1924, Jenkins founded the "Canadian League for the Advancement of Colored People," (CLACP) which used The Dawn as its primary means of advertisement and organization.[1] The CLACP, meant to serve as a Canadian equivalent to the NAACP, had branches in London, Windsor, Dresden, and Toronto, and acted as a social-welfare organization. While the CLACP never reached national status, it locally assisted Black Canadians with job placements, professional opportunities, youth education, and provided services and goods to those in need.[1]

Local Black News

The Dawn was dedicated to documenting local news pertaining to Black Canadians like the first Black Boy Scout troop of Canada. It also paid significant attention to Black achievements in music, theatre, sports, and education in Canada.[3].

National Black News

The Dawn reported on transnational movements, like Garveryism, UNIA in Canada, and the opening of the NCC in Montreal, as well as Black Canadian wartime effort during WWII.[3]

References
  1. Shaw, Melissa. "Biography – JENKINS, JAMES FRANCIS – Volume XVI (1931-1940)". www.biographi.ca. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  2. Jenkins, James. ""The Dawn of Tomorrow, 1923-08-25, vol. 1, no. 7,"". The Black Press.
  3. Thompson, Cheryl (2015). "Cultivating Narratives of Race, Faith, and Community: The Dawn of Tomorrow, 1923-1971". Canadian Journal of History. 50 (1): 30–67 – via Project MUSE.
  4. Winks, Robin W. (1997). The Blacks in Canada : a history (2nd ed.). Montreal, Que.: McGill-Queen's University Press. p. 404. ISBN 978-0-7735-6668-2. OCLC 144083837.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
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