Truth-centered reporting, land accountability, and full-service marketing and production rooted in America's first incorporated Black township.
Opinion
What's happening with the flooding, HostDime, the proposed museum, and the remaining Hungerford land isn't a handful of separate issues. It's what happens when a Black town loses control of the institutions and land that once made it independent.
By Julian Johnson · 2026-08-29
Opinion
Orange County Public Schools cannot spend generations controlling Hungerford, watch the school disappear and the land shrink, then point to the community left behind as proof that we cannot control our own future.
By Julian Johnson · 2026-08-22
Opinion
Before another acre changes hands, let's find out how much. The Battle for the Negro Land & Mind — Founders Day 2026.
By Julian Johnson · 2026-08-15
Opinion
What's happening with the flooding, HostDime, the proposed museum, and the remaining Hungerford land isn't a handful of separate issues. It's what happens when a Black town loses control of the institutions and land that once made it independent.
Julian Johnson · 2026-08-29
Opinion
Orange County Public Schools cannot spend generations controlling Hungerford, watch the school disappear and the land shrink, then point to the community left behind as proof that we cannot control our own future.
Julian Johnson · 2026-08-22
Opinion
Before another acre changes hands, let's find out how much. The Battle for the Negro Land & Mind — Founders Day 2026.
Julian Johnson · 2026-08-15
Who we are
1887 First grew out of Eatonville advocacy, community storytelling, and economic development work. We fought for the land, built a market for local business, and spoke up for residents and youth. The newsroom and the agency come out of that work.
This is the town Zora Neale Hurston grew up in and wrote about. Read our guide to Hurston’s Eatonville.
Learn About 1887 First
1887 First Media Agency
Marketing, advertising, content production, and community engagement for businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, and cultural institutions.
Positioning, messaging, and campaign architecture for organizations that need to be taken seriously the first time.
Paid placement planning and buying across search, social, and local channels.
Always-on content, community management, and growth built on real audience relationships.
Documentary photography and short-form video that treats communities as sources, not backdrops.
Editorial writing, design systems, and visual narratives that carry across every channel.
On-the-ground outreach, listening sessions, and partnership building with the people affected.
Milestones and impact
2022
The Fight for Hungerford
1887 First began advocating for the Hungerford property. The developer pursuing the property at that time did not move forward. The outcome came from a broad coalition of residents, alumni, and community organizations.
July 2024
Launch of the 1887 Night Market
The 1887 Night Market launched in Historic Eatonville, creating a recurring commercial platform for Black-owned businesses.
Today
Launch of the 1887 First Media Agency
1887 First launches its media agency — marketing, advertising, content production, and community engagement that funds independent local coverage.
19
Markets
in Eatonville
200+
Black businesses
participated
15K+
Estimated visitors
brought to Eatonville
3M+
Social media
views
Source: 1887 First Two-Year Economic Impact Snapshot.
See Our Story and Impact
1887 Night Market
A historic commercial corridor with foot traffic potential and no recurring retail platform for local businesses.
Night Market vendors
Vendors had products and no consistent visual or written presence to grow beyond market days.
Community advocacy
Residents were affected by land and development decisions they had little plain-language access to.
Digital Marketing Opportunities
Display placements across 1887First.com, sold by section or run of site.
Branded editorial produced by our team and labeled Sponsored on every surface.
Placement inside the Eatonville newsletter, sent to opted-in subscribers.
Campaigns distributed through 1887 First channels.
Presenting sponsorship of documentary and interview video series.
On-site brand presence, sampling, and activation at 1887 Night Market dates.
Limited placements each month — claim yours.
Community reinvestment
1887 First reinvests in the community through The Ville CDC.
Support The Ville CDC
