LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Reverend Gerome Sutton said he was tired of negative headlines trying to define the African-American community in West Louisville.

“We want to tell our own story,” Sutton said. To take back control of the narrative, the 63-year-old started a features newspaper called Colors.

“Colors gives us the vehicle to define ourselves,” Sutton told Spectrum News 1.

The urban-focused newspaper serves the community where Sutton was born and raised. One he knows well.

“Two years before the Voting Rights Act was passed that afforded blacks to vote, my father bought a house on the colored line. That was the line of segregation,” Sutton said.

The community helps run the paper, as well.

“It’s blunt; it’s very blunt,” said Editor Dennisha Rivers about Colors’ content.

Anthony Gaines runs a local business below where Colors’ office is located.

“Everything that you can already imagine that people are watching on the news, we’re doing the same thing at Colors newspaper but giving it from the perspective of the people in the community,” said Gaines. He writes for the paper and is also the circulation and distribution manager. The paper has various community writers that cover topics from health to local politics and education.

Community members of all ages also meet people face-to-face to sell the paper, from young boys and girls still in school to adults.

“I knew it was going to be fun ‘cause when we get donations it is helping us out, and we can help the homeless and stuff. I just like to help,” said fourteen-year-old Heavenly Garth; who was out on a Saturday afternoon with a group selling Colors at a local shopping center.

“I was hoping I could find something a little more interesting besides the killing and shooting and all that negativity. You know, looking for a little positivity,” said Louisville resident, Margaretta Payne, a first-time customer.  

The paper costs $1, and everyone keeps half of what they sell. Sutton said the aim is to teach young kids a work ethic and to spark another change.

“We can’t run the drug dealer out of business, but we can offer a legal, honest alternative, and offer them something good to do,” Sutton explained.

Rivers and Gaines also help sell the paper along with the community.

“It’s just a way to kind of get out, talk to the people, listen to the issues, listen to their concerns, [and] what is important to them,” Rivers told Spectrum News 1.

Rev. Sutton hopes people beyond the West End will also give Colors a chance.

“And say, ‘Awww my perception was wrong. That’s not the way the majority of people behave and act. My ideas were wrong about West of 9^th Street,’” Sutton explained. He added, “I hope that can help us build a bridge.”

Advertising in Colors and the money from papers sold by the community help sustain the paper and print future issues. Colors started over the summer and has published two newspapers, so far.

Sutton said the next issue is out Friday, November 15. He also said online subscriptions will be available in the next few weeks. For more information on Colors, email colorsnewspaper@yahoo.com or check their Facebook page for updates.