About sub•stan•tial
WE ARE SUBSTANTIAL
Who we are
Substantial News is a Black owned and operated independent nonprofit news platform based in North Carolina, birthed out of the Eastern NC area.
We develop multi-channel content and news stories focused on amplifying positive stories within the Black community while raising awareness regarding relevant issues that affect our community at the local, state, and national level.
Why we do it
Carter G. Woodson strongly believed in the importance of documenting Black history, actively working to preserve and share the often overlooked contributions of African Americans through research, writing, and advocacy. By bringing attention to the need to accurately record and celebrate the Black experience in American history, Carter G. Woodson ensured we knew who we were and now more than ever that same importance of preserving our history, uplifting our community and celebrating who we are is necessary. This is why we do it.
Our leadership
Greg L. Hedgepeth | Founder, President, and CEO of Substantial Media, LLC
Greg is the visionary behind Substantial Media, an award-winning minority multimedia platform dedicated to amplifying the voices and stories of Black and Brown communities. Born and raised in Halifax County, NC, Greg is a first-generation college graduate who earned a degree in Economics and Business Administration from East Carolina University and later obtained a Master’s in Management and Leadership from Webster University, with doctoral studies currently underway.
With over 16 years of leadership experience in higher education marketing and communications, Greg has a proven track record of building impactful strategies that elevate organizational missions. A certified digital marketing and AI professional, Greg is also a former adjunct professor at Shaw University, a devoted husband, and father of two daughters. Through Substantial, Greg channels his passion for social entrepreneurship into creating empowering content that addresses politics, business, health, community, entertainment, and lifestyle while championing generational wealth and positive change.
"Keeping local, independent Black media alive isn't just about preserving history. For me it's about owning our narrative, elevating our voices, and finding new ways to celebrate our brilliance. We must continue to build platforms that reflect the truth, triumphs, and talents of our communities, because when we control our stories, we shape the future for generations to come." - Greg Hedgepeth
The Black Lens Symposium
The Black Lens is a day-long series of panel conversations around Black duality, Black centricity,
Black history, Black reciprocity and the future of being Black in America.
The Substantial Awards
The Substantial Awards is an annual celebration honoring the excellence and vital contributions of our local minority communities.
The National Black Student Leadership Conference
The National Black Student Leadership Conference was a three-day transformative event dedicated to educating, training, and empowering Black college students to become impactful leaders in their communities and beyond.
Our Past Initiatives
Partnerships and Affiliations
