By Jerry Filmore
What’s Up Worcester, a nonprofit, community-first news outlet serving Worcester and Worcester County, is announcing what current research indicates may be a historic first in the city’s media landscape. Based on research completed to date, the organization appears to be the first Black-founded news outlet in Worcester’s history.
According to What’s Up Worcester, the conclusion is based on outreach to local historical and library resources, review of known local media examples raised during the research process, and documentation gathered by the organization. Supporting materials are available upon request.
As part of that research, Alex London of the Worcester Public Library wrote in a February 23, 2026 email to Jerry Filmore that, based on preliminary research, What’s Up Worcester “might be the first, as far as I can tell.” London also noted that a 1960s local newsletter called The Drum had Black contributors but was primarily edited by Abbie Hoffman, distinguishing it from a Black-founded news outlet, according to the email shared by What’s Up Worcester.
To date, the research has not identified an earlier Black-founded news outlet in Worcester. What’s Up Worcester states that historical research can continue to evolve and that any newly surfaced documentation will be reviewed carefully.
What’s Up Worcester was founded by Jerry Filmore and was created to provide community-centered local coverage focused on Worcester residents, neighborhoods, events, civic life, and the people working to strengthen the city. The outlet currently operates as a nonprofit newsroom and publishes reporting, interviews, community storytelling, and public-interest coverage across digital and social platforms.
For Worcester residents, the milestone is significant because it speaks to representation in local journalism and to who is documenting community life in the city. Local news organizations help shape public understanding of neighborhoods, institutions, public issues, and community accomplishments. A Black-founded newsroom in Worcester adds to the city’s media landscape at a time when questions of access, inclusion, and local representation remain central to public life.
The organization said supporting documentation is available upon request. At this time, What’s Up Worcester has not identified an earlier Black-founded news outlet in Worcester, but the finding remains based on research completed to date rather than a final determination by a formal historical authority.
🔍 The W.U.W. Verification Box
• Project / Topic: What’s Up Worcester historical status as a Black-founded news outlet in Worcester
• Current Status: Based on research completed to date, What’s Up Worcester states that it appears to be the first Black-founded news outlet in Worcester’s history
• Key Dates or Decisions: February 23, 2026 email from Worcester Public Library; public announcement dated March 31, 2026
• Estimated Cost (if applicable): Not applicable
• Timeline (if known): Research completed to date; additional historical review may continue if new documentation emerges
• Immediate Next Steps: Public announcement issued; supporting documentation available upon request; media outreach underway
• Primary Sources: Worcester Public Library email shared by What’s Up Worcester; What’s Up Worcester documentation; Massachusetts corporate records; What’s Up Worcester public website
• What We Do Not Yet Know: Whether any earlier Black-founded news outlet in Worcester may be identified through future historical documentation; whether any additional archival materials exist that have not yet been reviewed
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