Much of the paper's strength was based on its shaping the advancement and realization of Black aspirations. As a consequence, the paper is undoubtedly the most frequently quoted Black weekly in the world. The Amsterdam News, in its 95 years, has had many significant innovations. It was the second Black newspaper to be admitted to the Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC), in October 1930, of which it is still a member. In 1936, it became the first - and still is the only ¬- Black newspaper that was unionized in all departments by the Newspaper Guild of New York, Local 3.

"The Amsterdam News has always had a great deal of persuasive power in Harlem and other Black communities," the Times Wrote.