Dayton's African-American Voice Since 1993

Founded in 1993 by Don G. Black and inspired by pioneers like Paul Laurence Dunbar, the Dayton Weekly News is proud to be Dayton, Ohio’s longest-running African American newspaper. Our mission is to strengthen the community by delivering fair, accurate, and empowering local coverage that centers the African American experience. Through a wide range of topics and stories, we remain committed to providing positive and informative news—both in print and online—that uplifts, informs, and connects our readers.

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Dayton Local News

Smiling man in glasses, wearing a sweater and tie, sits in front of a laptop. Beige patterned wall in the background.

Dayton Community Mourns Higher Education Advocate Marc DeWitt

Dayton honors the life and legacy of Marc DeWitt, a dedicated higher education leader whose work improved outcomes for Black students across Southwest Ohio.

Bronze plaque on a large rock marks Paul Laurence Dunbar's grave. Nearby lies Elizabeth Florence Dunbar's headstone. Grass surrounds.

Woodland Cemetery Pays Tribute to Black History

Woodland Cemetery in Dayton highlights the lives and legacies of influential African Americans including Paul Laurence Dunbar, Jeraldyne Blunden, and James H. McGee during special Black History Month tours.

Smiling man in a suit with a red tie and pin stands against a blurred brown background. The mood is professional and warm.

Derrick Foward Reflects on the Legacy and Leadership of Rev. Jesse Jackson

Dayton NAACP President Derrick Foward reflects on Rev. Jesse Jackson’s civil rights leadership and lasting impact on political representation.

Community Updates

Dayton Wolverines Track Club athletes competing at the 2026 AAU Junior Olympic Games in Des Moines, Iowa.

Beyond the Medals: Dayton Wolverines Take Dayton to the National Stage

Sixty-eight Dayton Wolverines qualified for the 2026 AAU Junior Olympics in Des Moines, returning to Dayton with national titles, All-American honors and lessons in confidence, resilience and teamwork.

Silhouetted crowd watches colorful fireworks at night, with one person filming on a phone.

July 2026 Opportunity Brief

Ohio Opportunity Zone nominations close July 10, free concerts at Levitt all month, grants open now, the Montgomery County Fair returns — your July 2026 Miami Valley brief.

Large group of boys and men posing on steps before a brick building; sign reads Reunion Picnic, with Men and Boys entrances.

Historic Fifth Street Branch YMCA Building Listed on National Register of Historic Places Dayton, Ohio

Miami Valley Housing Opportunities, Inc. (MVHO) and The Opportunity Center are proud to announce that the historic Fifth Street Branch YMCA building, located at 907 W. Fifth Street in Dayton’s Wright-Dunbar Village, has been officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Education

Sinclair Community College Celebrates Record 2026 Commencement and Named Top 25 in the Nation

Sinclair Community College awarded over 9,600 degrees to 6,200 students at its 2026 Commencement Ceremony — a 12% increase over last year — while earning a spot among the nation's top 25 community colleges for the prestigious Aspen Prize.

Smiling woman in a beige pinstripe suit poses against a dark background, with a TSI watermark on the right.

The Centennial Crown: Maya Rae Williams Elected Thee 100th Miss Wilberforce University

Dayton native Maya Rae Williams makes history as the first-ever four-time campus Queen at Wilberforce University, elected Thee 100th Miss Wilberforce University for the 2026–2027 academic year.

Two women in a library sit at a table, smiling, using a laptop. One points at the screen. Bookshelves are in the background.

The Dayton Foundation Adds New Scholarship Opportunities to ScholarshipCONNECT, Opens for 2026–2027 Applications

The Dayton Foundation adds 25 new scholarships to ScholarshipCONNECT, offering more than 300 funding opportunities for students across the region.

Faith and Inspiration

Man smiling near decorated Christmas tree with red, silver, and green ornaments. Festive atmosphere with blurred colorful lights.

Bringing Christmas Behind Bars

Four-Seven brings “Christmas Miracles” to Ohio prisons, helping incarcerated parents connect with their children through holiday gift-giving.

Diverse hands in colorful sleeves form a circle, palms up, symbolizing unity. The background features tiled flooring.

Faith Without Love is Hypocrisy. A Message to Our Community

A reflection on faith, love, and accountability, calling Christians to reject hate, racism, and hypocrisy and live out the teachings of Jesus.

Mother and daughter enjoy a Christ filled family evening with skating

Sophia Learning Center to Host Gospel on Skates Family Night

June is a time to honor the cherished bonds that families share, and this year, Sophia Learning Center celebrates National Family Month with the much-anticipated return of the center’s annual fundraiser, Gospel on Skates – Family Night! Scheduled for Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at the Orbit Fun Center in Huber Heights.

Business Spotlight

Exclusive Dayton Club Opens Its Doors for Private Luxury Dining Experience

The Art of Work is redefining date night and theater outings in downtown Dayton with The Masterpiece Experience—a luxury pre-show package featuring chef-curated dining, wellness amenities, premium parking, and personalized concierge service before performances at the Schuster Center.

Ro Nita Hawes-Saunders and Donnica Hawes-Saunders, hosts of the Raised By Her podcast, discuss leadership, legacy, and bridging generations in Dayton, Ohio.

Passing the Mic: How a Dayton Mother-Daughter Duo is Bridging the Generational Gap on the Raised By Her Podcast

A Dayton mother and daughter are turning family conversations into a platform for leadership, legacy, and opportunity. Through the Raised By Her podcast, Ro Nita Hawes-Saunders and Donnica Hawes-Saunders explore intergenerational wisdom while creating space for local entrepreneurs, changemakers, and community leaders to share their stories.

Cartoon of a scale: crowded UNIVERSITIES side outweighs smaller JOBS side, with graduates falling and people cheering in background.

Credential Inflation: The Death of the American Dream

A bachelor’s degree was once considered a step above entry level. Today, it has increasingly become the starting line. Imari Burton examines credential inflation, skills-based hiring and what the changing value of a college education means for the American Dream.

Business Spotlight

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