Dear Reader, 

The Lancaster community is an amazing one. While the county of half a million residents resembles many other counties across the nation, the city of just 60,000 residents feels oddly familiar. The people of Lancaster city are what make this place so beautiful. In the over a decade that we have been a part of this community, we have witnessed changes, both for better and worse. The South East community is strong, resilient and diverse. We are so excited to be part of the advancement of the South East and we plan to make history. 

In a time where the press is shrinking, we believe that the Black press can once again be an instrumental tool in the advancement of society overall. In 1827 Freedom’s Journal was America’s first Black-owned and operated newspaper. Before the Civil War, the newspaper played a critical role in the abolitionist movement and later in the Civil Rights Movement.  A 2022 report on the state of the local news showed that more than 360 newspapers closed before the pandemic. Over the past 2 years, we have seen the South East TImes provide local news and a much needed perspective. We are beyond excited to be part of the growth of the South East Times. As we transition to a monthly print and digital publication, we look forward to adding a health promotion perspective to the paper. We hope to help our local community thrive, not just survive. 

Best,

Drs. Hamblin & Livingston