Our Story

It all started in 2008 with a vision to aggregate the opinion pieces of Black conservatives in a periodical named Freedom's Journal Magazine (FJM).  FJM, the modern-day journal inspired by the 1827 African American newspaper of the same name, is a tribute to the courage and foresight of Samuel E. Cornish and John B. Russwurm, co-founders of America’s Black Press.

These early “freedom fighters” desired to give African Americans of their day a vehicle to voice their thoughts, ideas and opinions declaring, “[w]e wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us. Too long has the public been deceived by misrepresentation of things which concern us dearly.”

As one might expect, these words hold as much truth today as they did when they were originally written. For us, their dedication to creating a “medium between brethren in different states [who] through its columns and expressions of sentiments on many interesting subjects which concern us, [would] be offered to the public; that plans which are apparently beneficial may be candidly discussed and properly weighed” became, in part, the impetus and vision for today’s magazine.

FJM pledges to continue their fight by looking forward to offering the latest in regional, national and international news, opinion, and editorial content with a biblical worldview. In addition, we are committed (among other things) to conserve traditional African American values; provide a much-needed platform for examining issues and concerns pursuant to ensuring our rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and to preserve a legacy of black conservatism for generations to come.

The vision expanded into an Institute that would advance beyond the magazine and herald Black conservative principles in a more strategic manner. Using the R.I.S.E. Principles we equip and organize people to articulate their conservative worldview through summits, articles and various media. (see Strategy & Objectives)

We plan to increase our media foot print through NRBtv and Christian radio. We will continue to challenge the church, in general, and the African American church, in particular, to stand for what we say we believe.

The R.I.S.E. Principles are one of our main tools for the articulation of conservative values and ideas anchored in a biblical worldview. They are the impetus that guides and undergirds our outreach.