The Hilltop

The Hilltop, established at Howard University in 1924 by Zora Neale Hurston and Eugene King, a Harlem Renaissance icon and a renowned anthropologist, is the oldest Black collegiate newspaper in America. Over its century-long history, the publication has been at the forefront of chronicling campus, D.C, and national news. The legacy of The Hilltop is marked by its profound reporting work, several national awards, and distinguished alumni, many of whom have ascended to the pinnacle of their professions. Among The Hilltop’s former staff are Pulitzer Prize winners, whose groundbreaking work has set new standards in journalism. Additionally, The Hilltop has been the training ground for leaders who have excelled in business, law, communications, and public service. By 1929, The Hilltop was published bi-monthly and then weekly in 1930. In 1995 and 2004 respectively, The Hilltop was notably ranked by The Princeton Review as the “Best Collegiate Newspaper in the Nation” and was featured in The New York Times as a premier college news source. In 2002, The Hilltop introduced its website, which currently receives thousands of hits daily. On February 28, 2005, The Hilltop newspaper claimed the spot as the only daily news publication in the country run by African Americans, not only in the collegiate realm, but also professionally. As it celebrates its centennial milestone, The Hilltop continues to act as a platform for voices, advancing its mission of balanced journalism and community engagement.