The Forum (Tacoma)

The Forum was an African-American owned newspaper founded by John Henry Ryan and Ella Ryan and published by the Graham–Hickman Company weekly from 1903 to 1918 covering the Tacoma area of the U.S. state of Washington. It was founded on July 3, 1903 and ceased publication on December 28, 1918. While the second page of the paper contained black society news, the paper covered mostly local politics and had mainly white readers and advertisers. The Forum published occasional reprinted pieces from other publications with black interests. In 1906, Ella became sole publisher and editor. John was still listed on the masthead as editor, although he pursued a political career.