Dreams aren't built with money and Kentuckian I. Willis Cole is proof. In 1917 Cole founded the weekly newspaper entitled the Louisville Leader with only $50.00. Edited by Cole, the Leader grew to become "one of the largest Negro newspaper organizations" in Louisville, according to local sources. Cole was dedicated to covering issues important to the African American community. The Louisville Leader encouraged its readers to vote against Jim Crow laws, segregation, and black loyalty to the Republican party; and cried out against lynchings, which occurred as late as the 1940s. Cole's publication was a constant voice for civil rights and fashioned itself " your newspaper -- militant but stable."

This progressive and reliable newspaper included several community interest columns articles such as "Hometown Correspondence," the "Negro Women's Contribution to American History," and "Go To Church Sunday." It advertised African American- owned businesses and printed news items from correspondents around Kentucky.

Cole died in 1950. His widow Rosa continued to publish the Leader for several months, then closed the operation in September 1950

 Source:

Kleber, John E. The Kentucky Encyclopedia, Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky1992.