Our Story

How FREEDOM'S JOURNAL INSTITUTE started...

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.

EARLY FREEDOM FIGHTERS

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.”

GIVING VOICE TO THE BLACK CONSERVATIVE

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.

A CONSERVATIVE, BLACK, BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW

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.
Freedom's Journal Institute is steeped with history starting all the way back to 1827 by an African American newspaper by the same name was first printed.
Join us at the next Black Conservative Summit where we talk in depth about our R.I.S.E. Principles and how to incorporate them in your life.

Expanding the vision...

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)

Where we are headed...

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. 
Join Dr. Eric Wallace as he continues to challenge the church on FJMtv.

tHE HISTORY OF FREEDOM'S JOURNAL INSTITUTE


2011
  • May 2011 – Freedom's Journal Institute was formed, on paper. Dr. Eric and Jennifer Wallace were its co-founders.

2012
  • September 2012 – We began to hold our first board meetings and plan for the Black Conservative Summit.

2013
  • August 2013 –- We held our first Black Conservative Summit in St. Charles IL a suburb of Chicago.

2014
  • July 2014 -- Lonnie Poindexter Joins us as the managing director. Freedom's Journal radio is launched on the Urban Family Talk Radio. Dr Wallace takes a leave of absence to run for Congress.

  • September 2014 -- The BCS first leadership initiative is held in Washington D.C. at the Allan P. Kirby, Jr. Center for Constitutional Studies & Citizenship.

  • November 5, 2014 -- Dr. Wallace returns as president of FJI after an unsuccessful run for political office.

2015
  • July 31, 2015 -- FJI holds its first R.I.S.E. Initiative Conference, "In Defense of Life: Why All Lives Matter," in Tinley Park, Illinois. Gov. Mike Huckabee spoke

  • October1, 2015 -- FJI co-sponsors Dr. Ben Carson speech during the Olivet Nazarene University Chapel

2017
  • June 15-16, 2017 -- 2017 BCS Leadership Initiative: Black Families Matter conference was held at the Heritage Foundation in Washington D. C.

  • June 17, 2017 -- FJI co-sponsored The March for Marriage in Washington D. C.

2018
  • January 2018-continues radio, TV, and Magazine presence on various media 

2019
  • June 2019--FJI launches mobile App and an online community

2020
  • July 2020 We held a rally for Black Families Matter

  • August 2020 we reproduced the R.I.S.E. Principles 

  • September  2020 FJI launched Kingdoms in Konflict (KiK) television show, broadcasting on The Total Living Network in Chicago and San Francisco

2021
  • January 2021 KiK began broadcasting on NRBtv to over 144 million people

  • September 2021 We launched our live streaming and TV Apps for Apple TV and Roku

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