Martin G. Reynolds speaks to the attendees of the Chauncey Bailey Way commemorative plaque unveiling at Alice and 14th Streets on March 5, 2022. Photo by Momo Chang.

On Saturday, March 5, 2022, the City of Oakland officially unveiled the commemorative plaque installed on 14th Street at Alice Street as Chauncey Bailey Way, in honor of veteran journalist Chauncey Bailey, who was shot and killed at the intersection 15 years ago for investigating a local news story. Over 100 family members, colleagues and friends attended the emotional memorial. The Maynard Institute’s co-executive director, Martin Reynolds spoke to the crowd about Bailey’s impact and the role of the Chauncey Bailey Project, the media coalition that formed to finish the stories Bailey had begun before he was assassinated.

“The kind of violence experienced when Chauncey was slain seemed unimaginable in this country in 2007. Around the world, journalism has been perilous, particularly in Mexico and in the Philippines and in other places around the globe. Killing Chauncey–it was a breach, a shock. And now, 15 years later, after the 2018 killings of journalists at The Capital Gazette in Maryland and the normalizing of threats to journalists during the Trump administration, such a slaying doesn’t feel so far away. Nor does the threat to our democracy.”
Martin G. Reynolds, Co-Executive Director, Maynard Institute for Journalism Education

Remembering Bailey’s passion for community storytelling

Bailey was born and raised in Oakland and began his career writing for the Oakland Post and San Francisco’s Sun Reporter, as well as reporting on-air for San Jose’s KNTV. Bailey established roots at the Detroit News where he worked for a decade as reporter and columnist before returning to Oakland. From 1993 to 2005, Bailey covered East Oakland and African-American community affairs for the Oakland Tribune.

Reynolds began his memorial service speech with his experience getting to know Bailey during their time working together at the Tribune:

“I first met Chauncey when I was an intern working at the Tribune back in 1995. He knew everybody, and yet he took time to help me, gave me thoughts, gave me guidance. Later, when I went into editing, he was a critical go-to reporter and an anchor for the coverage of the Black community. Which for Oakland, particularly at that time, was synonymous with our community. I recall his hosting a news show on Soul Beat and efforts to push for black ownership of broadcast outlets. It was a passion and it was one that I always respected and appreciated.

After Chauncey left the Tribune he was reborn as editor of the Oakland Post. I remember thinking how fortunate the paper was to get such a seasoned, knowledgeable and passionate editor who could also write and report. Seeing him out and about–and, you know, he was always out and about–he had this fire in his eyes. One that had been dimmed by the corporate upheaval and constant downsizing at the Tribune, along with the change of ownership and strife between management and reporters.

I can also say this– when Chauncey left the Oakland Tribune, the coverage that he provided, the perspective that he offered, was never replaced. There was no replicating his contribution, and I was happy for the Post and for him that he found a place where his skills could be valued and that this important publication was enhanced by his presence and his persistence.”

Threats to journalists and threats to democracy

Reynolds continued to describe the meaningful work of the Chauncey Bailey Project, the media coalition formed shortly after Bailey’s murder:

“The Chauncey Bailey project, as mentioned, was the second large-scale collaboration of American journalists from multiple news organizations coming together to investigate the slaying of an American journalist. The first was the Arizona Project and although many news organizations participated in that project, The Arizona Republic never published any of the stories. The Oakland Tribune would not make such a mistake.

It was the home of the Chauncey Bailey Project, and we received full support from our then VP of news, Kevin Keane and the Bay Area News Group manager, Pete Wevurski. And I also want to give a shout out to senior editor Mike Oliver and Michelle Maitre for their outstanding work, as well as Robert Rosenthal.

The kind of violence experienced when Chauncey was slain seemed unimaginable in this country in 2007. Around the world, journalism has been perilous, particularly in Mexico and in the Philippines and in other places around the globe. Killing Chauncey–it was a breach, a shock. And now, 15 years later, after the 2018 killings of journalists at The Capital Gazette in Maryland and the normalizing of threats to journalists during the Trump administration, such a slaying doesn’t feel so far away. Nor does the threat to our democracy. So often journalists extoll in lofty terms about the fourth estate. How you can’t kill a story because you killed a journalist. Following the investigation into those who killed Chauncey–and I will not utter their names–books were written, awards were won, people went to jail.”

Former Oakland City councilwoman Lynette Gibson McElhaney, who introduced the initiative to honor Bailey in 2011, takes a group photo of members of The Chauncey Bailey Project and colleagues. From left to right: Ray Chavez, Martin Reynolds, Thomas Peele, Josh Richman, Mary Fricker, Bob Butler, and Jane Tyska. Photo by Kat Ferreira.

Traveling down Chauncey Bailey Way

Reynolds closed by addressing Bailey’s son Chauncey Bailey, Jr. with hope that those who loved Bailey find peace in his memory while traveling down the newly commemorated street in downtown Oakland:

“But you know what happened? The most tragic thing that happened. A son lost a father. A father who loved him, brought Chauncey Jr. into the newsroom all the time. He showed us photos of you playing football. You were the apple of his eye, I’ll tell you that. And I will always remember your kind, sweet face. Those kind eyes. And I think of you when I think of your father.

I’m so happy to see this commemoration of Chauncey here. And thank you to the city officials and the family and to so many other folks who I’m sure are responsible for bringing this honor to fruition. Chauncey’s unique gift was his love of and relationship to the community and even members of the community who didn’t like him. In the end, you know, if you knew Chauncey you had an opinion of him.

He amplified the collective voice, and it was that voice–a part of our community’s voice–that was snuffed out when he was killed. May his memory ride along this stretch of street that bears his name. May those who loved him find peace. May the stories he told and the craft he practiced continue to travel with all of us down Chauncey Bailey Way. Thank you.”

Ongoing community storytelling with Oakland Voices

Oakland Voices emerged from a partnership between the Oakland Tribune and The Maynard Institute for Journalism Education. In the same spirit of Chauncey Bailey, many of our correspondents join Oakland Voices because they want to reshape common misperceptions of their communities, portraying them instead as dynamic places where real people struggle, succeed, and thrive. Oakland Voices correspondent Brandy Collins wrote about the memorial ceremony. Read the article at Oakland Voices and subscribe to our newsletter for more information about the Institute’s programs.

EMERYVILLE, CA (March 9, 2022): The Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding the diversity pipeline in the news media and dismantling structural racism in its newsrooms, is accepting applications for its cornerstone Maynard 200 Fellowship. The professional development program provides cutting-edge training and year-long mentorship for storytellers, editors and managers, leaders and media entrepreneurs of diverse backgrounds.

The 2022 program will be held in-person during the week of June 27th at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in Los Angeles, California. Maynard 200 fellows will benefit from tuition-free training and mentorship, plus air travel and lodging expenses will be covered by the Maynard Institute.

The program will continue throughout the summer with a series of virtual webinars. A second week of in-person training will be held the week of October 24th. Fellows will then be paired with industry veterans and experts in relevant disciplines in their area of interest to receive one year of one-to-one mentorship through October 2023.

This year’s program will consist of an expanded cohort size of 50 fellows. Applicants can apply to one of four curriculum tracks including investigative storytelling, media entrepreneurship, executive leadership, and frontline editors and managers. Applications are now closed. Screening will begin after the application deadline and will continue through March and early-April.

Maynard 200 has been supported by Google News Initiative, the Craig Newmark Philanthropies, the Hearthland Foundation, and the McClatchy Foundation. The Fox Corporation is a confirmed sponsor for the 2022 program.

For more information and guidance on the application process, as well as COVID-19 safety protocols for the in-person training sessions, please visit Maynard 200 program updates for 2022.

About the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education

For more than 40 years, the Maynard Institute has fought to push back against the systemic lack of diversity in the news industry through training, collaborations and convenings. Founded by Robert C. Maynard, the Institute promotes diversity and antiracism in the news media through improved coverage, hiring and business practices. We are creating better representation in America’s newsrooms through our Maynard 200 fellowship program, which gives media professionals of color the tools to become skilled storytellers, empowered executives and inspired entrepreneurs.

About the Maynard 200 Fellowship program

Maynard 200 is the cornerstone fellowship program advancing the Maynard Institute’s efforts to expand the diversity pipeline in news media and dismantle structural racism in its newsrooms. It is designed for and serves the next generation of media leaders, storytellers, and entrepreneurs, in order to advance their career growth and leadership power in newsrooms and organizations. The professional development program provides customized training courses, resources and 1:1 mentorship by industry professionals, to fellows who have represented a wide spectrum of racial, gender and geographic backgrounds.

Join the Maynard 200 Kick-off in Los Angeles

The deadline to apply for Maynard 200 was March 28, 2022. Applications are now closed.

Questions?

See the latest press release on PR Newswire. For more information about sponsoring the Maynard 200 Fellowship or program eligibility, please reach out to:
Maynard 200 Director, Odette Alcazaren-Keeley at okeeley@mije.org.

The Maynard Institute welcomes back Virgil L. Smith, Principal Consultant of the Smith Edwards Group, as executive-in-residence for the Maynard 200 fellowship program’s Executive Leadership track. Smith started the consulting firm in October 2015 after retiring from the Gannett Company, where he worked for 24 years as a president and publisher and corporate HR executive focused on talent development, talent acquisition, talent management and diversity. Prior to joining Gannett, Smith spent 20 years with the McClatchy Company, where he held a number of executive positions. His commitment to leadership development is evident in the hundreds of media professionals he has coached in achieving their career and life goals.

One of the Maynard Institute’s core programs, the Maynard 200 Fellowship provides advanced, tuition-free training to mid-career journalists of color. With the supportive peer network, Maynard 200 fellows have the opportunity to grow the impact of their work while helping diversify institutional and entrepreneurial news organizations.

When you look at the landscape of journalism leaders of color across the nation, many participated in the Maynard Institute since its founding in 1977. My goal is to create the same type of environment and success for the journalists who strive to be leaders in their organizations and the industry.”
Virgil L. Smith, Principal Consultant of the Smith Edwards Group, LLC

Designed for media professionals seeking the next level of leadership

The Maynard 200 Executive Leadership track is designed to assist fellows in achieving their career goals. As a testament to the program’s success, every Maynard 200 fellow in the program’s first year executive leadership cohort has since advanced to a c-suite and/or executive vice president level position.

As executive-in-residence, Smith’s approach to the curriculum is influenced by the Maynard Institute’s mission and founders. “I have been a supporter and affiliated with the Maynard Institute since the early days. I had the honor of knowing Bob and Nancy Maynard as well as their daughter Dori Maynard,” Smith said.

“The founders’ vision and commitment to developing an institute that gave people of color the opportunity to learn and develop in a non-judgmental environment was invigorating. When you look at the landscape of journalism leaders of color across the nation, many participated in the Maynard Institute since its founding in 1977. My goal is to create the same type of environment and success for the journalists who strive to be leaders in their organizations and the industry.”

Smith described how Maynard 200 fellows benefit from experienced faculty who challenge participants to engage in the shared experience with their peers. Fellows gain insights, skills, and a support network to propel their careers, as well as executive mentorship to continue learning throughout the year.

Smith said, “the trainers we have as part of the Maynard 200 Executive Leadership track are exceptional and accomplished professionals. The combined expertise and knowledge that faculty and Maynard 200 fellows bring together is what makes this program so special. It’s a place for shared learning with a supportive peer network.”

Maynard 200 Executive Leadership curriculum topics include: Human Capital Management, Financial Leadership, Introspective Leadership, Personal and Professional Development, Corporate Governance, and Investor Relations and Developing a Strategic Direction.

As part of the Executive Leadership track, fellows are encouraged to complete a 360-degree assessment. The 360-assessment approach provides a view of a leader’s strengths and opportunities for growth. The assessment measures 16 competencies critical for success, as well as 5 possible career derailers.

Are you a media professional seeking to move up the organizational structure to senior level positions? If you are confident in your ability to learn and lead top performers in the industry, learn more about the fellowship program. Applications are now closed.

About Maynard 200 faculty, mentors and partners

The Maynard 200 program is grateful to all members of the 2022 faculty and mentors. In addition to media entrepreneurship, the Maynard 200 program includes three additional areas of focus for investigative storytellers, executive leaders, and frontline editors. Each track is led by accomplished industry veterans such as peabody award-winning journalist Aaron Glantz for investigative storytelling, former newsroom C-suite executive Virgil Smith for the leadership track, and senior editor John X. Miller for frontline editors and managers.

Over 60 executives in media and other relevant disciplines participate in the Maynard 200 program. Their expertise and representation mirror that of our fellows — of diverse heritage, geography across the United States and globally, affiliation at mainstream and ethnic media outlets as well as entrepreneurial ventures.

Since the inception of Maynard 200, the Maynard Institute’s partners have been instrumental in the program’s success. Partner organizations include Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), Native American Journalists Association (NAJA), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Poynter Institute, the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York (CUNY), and Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ). Special thanks to IRE’s support for this year’s mentorship roster, which includes their distinguished board members and network partners.

The program supports and emboldens the next generation of storytellers, leaders, managers, creators and founders of new media ventures. Check out the video greetings from the 2021 Fellows and the recap of the 2021 fall training session plenary fireside chat featuring Los Angeles Times executive editor Kevin Merida.

Maynard 200 has been supported by Google News Initiative, the Craig Newmark Philanthropies, the Hearthland Foundation, and the McClatchy Foundation. The Fox Corporation is a confirmed sponsor for the 2022 program.

Join the Maynard 200 Kick-off in Los Angeles

The 2022 program will be held in-person during the week of June 27th at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in Los Angeles, California. Maynard 200 fellows will benefit from tuition-free training and mentorship, plus air travel and lodging expenses will be covered by the Maynard Institute.

The deadline to apply for Maynard 200 was March 28, 2022. Applications are now closed.

In 2022, the Maynard Institute welcomes back Dickson Louie as the Maynard 200 Fellowship program’s media entrepreneurship executive-in-residence. As Principal of Louie & Associates and Lecturer at the University of California Davis Graduate School of Management, Louie has over 25 years of professional management experience within the news media industry. He brings veteran expertise as a planning and business development executive at the Los Angeles Times, the San Jose Mercury News and the San Francisco Chronicle. At these organizations he helped oversee the launch of several new initiatives, including the Viet Mercury Vietnamese-language weekly at the Mercury News. As a member of the corporate staff of Times Mirror—then the parent company of the Los Angeles Times, Newsday and the Baltimore Sun—Louie oversaw the finances of its $2 billion newspaper division.

One of the Maynard Institute’s core programs, the Maynard 200 Fellowship provides advanced, tuition-free training to mid-career journalists of color. With the supportive peer network, Maynard 200 fellows have the opportunity to grow the impact of their work while helping diversify institutional and entrepreneurial news organizations.

“In this era of digital disruption, it’s never been easier to be an entrepreneur. But the challenges of establishing a sustainable venture remain. In this Maynard 200 media entrepreneur track, fellows learn the frameworks that will help increase the odds of their venture’s success: discovering market opportunities, identifying business models, learning how to pitch ideas, setting goals, and leading a start-up team.”
Dickson Louie, Principal of Louie & Associates

Curriculum designed for today’s media entrepreneurs

When asked about how Maynard 200 fellows benefit from the media entrepreneurship curriculum, Louie said, “In this era of digital disruption, it’s never been easier to be an entrepreneur. But the challenges of establishing a sustainable venture remain.”

“In this Maynard 200 media entrepreneur track, fellows learn the frameworks that will help increase the odds of their venture’s success: discovering market opportunities, identifying business models, learning how to pitch ideas, setting goals, and leading a start-up team.”

Maynard 200 entrepreneurs learn how to pitch to investors

The Maynard 200 entrepreneurship track is designed to support fellows navigating the modern media landscape. “Fellows learn from case studies, marketing experts, and media entrepreneurs who have already been there and made it,” Louie said.

One of the components of the media entrepreneurship curriculum is a pitch meeting with a panel of industry veterans and potential investors during the October training sessions. Last year’s panel included digital media executives such as Christian Hendricks, Managing Partner of Extol Digital, and Waylae Gregoire, Partner and Head of Business Development of NextShark. Check back for details on the 2022 panel and read more about the 2021 Maynard 200 media entrepreneurship award recipients.

About Maynard 200 faculty, mentors and partners

The Maynard 200 program is grateful to all members of the 2022 faculty and mentors. In addition to media entrepreneurship, the Maynard 200 program includes three additional areas of focus for investigative storytellers, executive leaders, and frontline editors. Each track is led by accomplished industry veterans such as peabody award-winning journalist Aaron Glantz for investigative storytelling, former newsroom C-suite executive Virgil Smith for the leadership track, and senior editor John X. Miller for frontline editors and managers.

Over 60 executives in media and other relevant disciplines participate in the Maynard 200 program. Their expertise and representation mirror that of our fellows — of diverse heritage, geography across the United States and globally, affiliation at mainstream and ethnic media outlets as well as entrepreneurial ventures.

Since the inception of Maynard 200, the Maynard Institute’s partners have been instrumental in the program’s success. Partner organizations include Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), Native American Journalists Association (NAJA), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Poynter Institute, the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York (CUNY), and Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ). Special thanks to IRE’s support for this year’s mentorship roster, which includes their distinguished board members and network partners.

The program supports and emboldens the next generation of storytellers, leaders, managers, creators and founders of new media ventures. Check out the video greetings from the 2021 Fellows and the recap of the 2021 fall training session plenary fireside chat featuring Los Angeles Times executive editor Kevin Merida.

Maynard 200 has been supported by Google News Initiative, the Craig Newmark Philanthropies, the Hearthland Foundation, and the McClatchy Foundation. The Fox Corporation is a confirmed sponsor for the 2022 program.

Join the Maynard 200 Kick-off in Los Angeles

The 2022 program will be held in-person during the week of June 27th at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in Los Angeles, California. Maynard 200 fellows will benefit from tuition-free training and mentorship, plus air travel and lodging expenses will be covered by the Maynard Institute.

The deadline to apply for Maynard 200 was March 28, 2022. Applications are now closed.

Aaron Glantz, Senior Investigations Editor at The California Newsroom (NPR, KQED, KPCC, KCRW, KPBS, CapRadio, CalMatters). Photo by: Sarah Blesener.

In 2022, two-time Peabody Award-winner Aaron Glantz returns as executive-in-residence for the Maynard 200 fellowship program’s investigative storytelling track. Glantz currently serves as Senior Investigations Editor for The California Newsrooms, a collaboration of California public radio stations such as NPR and CalMatters. His work has appeared in The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, NBC Nightly News, Good Morning America and the PBS NewsHour. A former senior reporter at Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting and a recent JSK Fellow at Stanford, his books include ‘Homewreckers,’ ‘The War Come Home’ and ‘How America Lost Iraq.’

One of the Maynard Institute’s core programs, the Maynard 200 Fellowship provides advanced, tuition-free training to mid-career journalists of color. With the supportive peer network, Maynard 200 fellows have the opportunity to grow the impact of their work while helping diversify institutional and entrepreneurial news organizations.

“As track executive-in-residence for Investigative Storytelling, my first priority is to foster this sense of community and build a strong network of support.”
Aaron Glantz, Senior Investigations Editor, The California Newsroom (NPR, KQED, KPCC, KCRW, KPBS, CapRadio, CalMatters)

“What I love most about the Maynard 200 Fellowship is the way it builds community among dynamic journalists of color, who are just ready to break out and change the world,” Glantz said. “These last two years have been incredibly rough and people all across America often feel isolated and alone. As track executive-in-residence for Investigative Storytelling, my first priority is to foster this sense of community and build a strong network of support.”

Finding a community of peers and mentors

“Many fellows come to Maynard 200 as the only Black, Latino, or Asian journalists in their newsroom. By the end of the program, they leave part of a community of rising media professionals,” Glantz said.

Glantz explained how fellows are “trained by some of the best investigative journalists in the business and paired 1:1 with a mentor who is selected specifically to help them fly. Last year’s mentors included journalists – from the New York Times and Washington Post, CNN and NPR, ProPublica and The Marshall Project – all united in their determination to bring change in our industry and empower audiences in the communities we serve.”

“These mentor relationships not only help the Maynard fellows take the next steps in their career, they also build a fabric of connectivity of talented journalists of color within the media, building resilience and making the changes we seek in the media more sustainable.”

The investigative storytelling curriculum’s impact

As returning faculty, Glantz has seen the positive impacts of the Maynard 200 fellowship program. “This is my second year as track executive-in-residence for Maynard 200 and I am just blown away by both the talent of the fellows, the power of the community it creates and the difference that community can make in propelling their careers,” Glantz said.

“I look at the talent these fellows have when they come in and see the tremendous difference the Maynard 200 fellowship can make in helping them overcome barriers. Throughout the year-long program, nearly every investigative storytelling fellow went through a job change or received a promotion.”

Every track of the fellowship program includes training sessions and hands-on workshops on best practices. The investigative storytelling curriculum is designed to provide journalists with the tools they need to succeed.

“My goal in constructing the fellowship track is to arm these rising journalists of color with the tools they need to be the best investigative journalists in America — from filing public records requests and analyzing data, to developing relationships with vulnerable sources, confronting the powerful, and taking care of their mental health.”

Some of the confirmed faculty for this year’s investigative storytelling track include:

• A.C. Thompson of ProPublica and FRONTLINE (Polk Award-winner)
• Emmanuel Martinez of The Markup (Pulitzer Finalist)
• Monique Madan of USA Today
• Kari Cobham, director of journalism fellowships for the Carter Center.

Plus, Mark Walker, a Maynard 200 fellow from Class of 2021 will lead a Freedom of Information Act workshop. During the Maynard 200 fellowship, Walker was part of two Pulitzer Prize-winning teams at the New York Times.

More about Maynard 200 Faculty and Mentors

The Maynard 200 program is grateful to all members of the 2022 faculty and mentors.

Over 60+ executives in media and other relevant disciplines participate in the Maynard 200 program. Their expertise and representation mirror that of our fellows – of diverse heritage, geography across the United States and globally, affiliation at mainstream and ethnic media outlets as well as entrepreneurial ventures.

In addition to investigative storytelling, the Maynard 200 program includes three additional areas of focus for media entrepreneurs, executive leaders, and frontline editors. Each track is led by accomplished industry veterans such as media strategist Dickson Louie for media entrepreneurship, former newsroom C-suite executive Virgil Smith in executive leadership, and senior editor John X. Miller for frontline editors and managers.

The program supports and emboldens the next generation of storytellers, leaders, managers, creators and founders of new media ventures. Check out the video greetings from the 2021 Fellows, the award recipients from the media entrepreneurship track, and the recap of the recent plenary fireside chat featuring Los Angeles Times executive editor Kevin Merida.

Watch the Maynard 200 “Ask Me Anything” Webinar

Interested in applying for Maynard 200 but have questions? Watch Maynard 200 Program Director, Odette Alcazaren-Keeley and alumni guest speakers as they gave a special FAQs webinar (Passcode: 81%PueT1) to learn more about the fellowship program.

Get key information about this year’s program and insights to make your application competitive. Hear directly from alumni about their fellowship experience, which they consider transformative in their media careers and entrepreneurial ventures.

This webinar was designed for investigative reporters, executive leaders, media entrepreneurs, and frontline editors and managers, who are interested in Maynard 200.

The webinar covered:

• Program eligibility requirements
• Tips for a successful application
• Curriculum and 1:1 mentorship benefits
• Networking opportunities and more!

Watch the webinar (Passcode: 81%PueT1) and we look forward to seeing you there.

The deadline to apply for Maynard 200 was March 28, 2022. Applications are now closed.

In 2022, the Maynard 200 program expanded to add a fourth track of curriculum designed for frontline editors and managers, which will be led by John X. Miller. With over forty years of media experience, Miller is a veteran journalist and currently the senior editor for news, commentary and HBCUs for The Undefeated, ESPN’s website that reports on the intersection of race, sports and culture.

“Today’s newsrooms require high-performing editors and managers to keep pace with the frenetic multimedia news cycle. Editing the news, managing teams, juggling tasks and maintaining work-life balance are such a challenge. The Maynard 200 Frontline Managers and Editors track will provide the fellows with the relevant training, curricula, mentorship and hands-on coaching that will equip them to excel as multimedia professionals.”
John X. Miller, Senior Editor, The Undefeated

Miller is joining the Maynard 200 Fellowship faculty, in addition to his role as the chairman of the Maynard Institute’s board of directors. One of the Maynard Institute’s core programs, the Maynard 200 Fellowship provides advanced, tuition-free training to mid-career journalists of color to prime them as candidates for higher leadership roles. As industry leaders, Maynard 200 fellows have the opportunity to change the management culture including hiring practices in institutional and entrepreneurial news organizations.

“What excites me the most about being executive-in-residence for this track is the opportunity to work alongside these amazing journalists as they gain the practical tools, knowledge and confidence that will accelerate their careers,” Miller said. “The Maynard Institute has always been about assembling people of diverse backgrounds and experiences to elevate the practice of journalism in the increasingly diverse world. They will gain confidence and knowledge, discover peers and mentors they can rely on and become personally empowered to lead their organizations. They will be transformed.”

New Curriculum for Frontline Editors and Managers

The training sessions and hands-on workshops will explore successful management styles, resilient leadership, team building, and effective strategies for navigating newsroom dynamics.

The deadline to apply for Maynard 200 was March 28, 2022. Applications are now closed.

Who is encouraged to apply:

Editors, with one to five years of experience, including assigning editors both print and online; assignment editors and executive producers in broadcast who supervise either in-house reporters, writers, and producers or freelancers or both.

Mid-level managers, with one to five years of experience, who may or may not have direct reports, but hold strategic leadership or communications roles in their newsrooms or media organizations.

More about Maynard 200 Faculty and Mentors

The Maynard 200 program is grateful to all members of the 2022 faculty and mentors. Over 60+ executives in media and other relevant disciplines participate in the Maynard 200 program. Their expertise and representation mirror that of our fellows—with diverse heritage, geography, affiliation at mainstream and ethnic media outlets as well as entrepreneurial ventures.

In addition to frontline editors and managers, the Maynard 200 program includes three additional areas of focus: media entrepreneurship, executive leadership and storytelling. Each track is led by accomplished experts, and this year we are privileged to have media strategist Dickson Louie for media entrepreneurship, former newsroom C-suite executive Virgil Smith in executive leadership, and award-winning investigative reporter and author Aaron Glantz for storytelling. Dickson Louie and Virgil Smith serve on the institute’s board of directors as well.

Watch the Maynard 200 “Ask Me Anything” Webinar

Interested in applying for Maynard 200 but have questions? Watch Maynard 200 Program Director, Odette Alcazaren-Keeley and alumni guest speakers as they gave a special FAQs webinar (Passcode: 81%PueT1) to learn more about the fellowship program.

Get key information about this year’s program and insights to make your application competitive. Hear directly from alumnae about their fellowship experience, which they consider transformative in their media careers and entrepreneurial ventures.

This webinar was designed for investigative reporters, executive leaders, media entrepreneurs, and frontline editors and managers, who are interested in applying to the Maynard 200 Fellowship program.

The webinar covered:

• Program eligibility requirements
• Tips for a successful application
• Curriculum and 1:1 mentorship benefits
• Networking opportunities and more!

The deadline to apply for Maynard 200 was March 28, 2022. Applications are now closed.

In February 2022, Oakland Voices launched a new series called “Black Voices in the Town” with grant funding from The African American Response Circle Fund with a focus on stories about how the pandemic has impacted Black-owned businesses, Black artists, and health, written by Oakland Voices alumni and local freelance writers.

The Oakland Voices program includes more than 60 members who have completed the community journalism training program over the course of the past 10 years. Many in this group have actively contributed to the Oakland Voices website with articles, interviews, and personal essays, as well as freelancing for other outlets and continuing their professional development.

On February 1, 2022, a group of the alumni gathered virtually to catch up, talk about what they wished to see in 2022 for the program, and discussed story ideas.

About “Black Voices in the Town” Series

‘Black Voices in the Town’ is funded by The African American Response Circle Fund. In 2020, the Brotherhood of Elders Network in partnership with the East Bay Community Foundation established the fund in response to the impact of COVID-19 as a public health crisis for African Americans who live, work, and worship in Alameda County.

The series of stories and photo essays will address the impacts of COVID-19 on Black people in Oakland, California.

The first piece published, by Iris M. Crawford, highlights two Black outdoor enthusiasts, and how nature provided a space for them during the pandemic.

Continued Training and Workshops in Data Journalism, Mapping, Investigative Journalism, and More

More than a dozen of the Oakland Voices alumni gathered virtually last week In small breakout groups to catch up and talk about what types of continued professional development and opportunities they’d like to see. Oakland Voices alumni expressed interest in workshops for the group around investigative journalism skills, public records requests, data journalism, mapping, a design workshop, and more.

When COVID arrived in March 2020, the alumni program coordinator at the time (now Co-Director of Oakland Voices) Momo Chang and coordinator (now Co-Director) Rasheed Shabazz invited guest speakers via Zoom to chat about being a local journalist and around topics such as immigration coverage and beyond. Guest speakers included Oaklandside’s Azucena Rasilla, UC Berkeley Journalism School Professor-in-Residence Andrés Cediel, KQED columnist Pendarvis Harshaw, local investigative and community journalists Darwin BondGraham and Davey D, Program Manager at Disability Media Alliance Project Cara Reedy, and others. The alumni who attended the most recent meeting expressed that the webinars were valuable.

Not in Isolation

Many of the Oakland Voices alumni expressed gratitude for the group itself and members of the group. As alumni, many who freelance write now while balancing day jobs or school, expressed that writing can be isolating. The alumni group helps to make them feel less alone as writers and provides a network and supportive community, as well as an outlet to tell authentic stories about Oakland.

“I have published stories in several Bay Area outlets, and I can irrefutably say that Oakland Voices is the most committed to telling the real Oakland story.” Tony Daquipa, 2017 Oakland Voices alumnus

Daquipa has been covering OUSD school issues, as well as arts & culture coverage. His most recent stories focus on school closures..

Finally, many expressed how the group is enjoyable because it gives people an opportunity to talk about Oakland and the many facets. The stories written are real and some are about serious issues, yet the group as a whole wanted to uplift positive and hopefully stories about The Town as well.

One of the Maynard Institute’s core programs, the Maynard 200 Fellowship supports the next generation of storytellers, leaders and entrepreneurs of diverse backgrounds. The program provides relevant training courses, resources and mentorship by distinguished media professionals. In 2021, media strategist Dickson Louie led the media entrepreneurship track and launched a new award program. Based on the scores from a panel of media business experts, two fellows, Travers Johnson, founder of Queerency and Annie Guo VanDan, co-founder of Asian Avenue Magazine, have been recognized for their outstanding media venture pitches.

About the Maynard 200 Media Entrepreneurship Awards

The Quentin Hope Metrics Award in Entrepreneurship is a $1,000 prize funded by the Maynard Institute. It honors a teacher and coach, Quentin Hope, who guided co-executive directors Martin Reynolds and Evelyn Hsu in growing the reach and revenue of the institute. The prize is awarded to the media project business plan that scores highest for sound strategies and rigorous metrics.

The Dori J. Maynard Media Entrepreneurship Award honors the late president of the Maynard Institute and is funded by the Maynard Institute through a donation from Dickson Louie. The award provides up to $1,000 in additional entrepreneurial training through IDEO U, or an equivalent training entity, approved in advance by the Institute, to the media project that receives the highest cumulative score from the outside judges.

Congratulations Media Entrepreneurship Award Winners

Quentin Hope Metrics Award

Annie Guo VanDan is the recipient of this year’s Quintin Hope Metrics Award, which recognizes her work as president of Asian Avenue magazine, a Denver-based publication that lifts up the stories and voices of Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). She began the publication in 2006 at age 20 in collaboration with her mother, a first-generation immigrant from Taiwan.

With a Journalism degree from the University of Missouri, Annie worked in marketing and communications roles with Procter & Gamble, The Integer Group and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.

She found her passion in health equity and community engagement work and is also a change specialist for Change Matrix, where she works with diverse communities to provide training and technical assistance on racial justice, equity and inclusion. In 2009, she founded the Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network, a 501(c)(3) that serves the state’s AAPI community.

She completed her MBA in Health Administration from the University of Colorado Denver in 2012 and lived briefly in San Diego before returning to Denver, her hometown. She enjoys hiking, playing tennis and spending time with her husband and their two daughters.

Dori J. Maynard Media Entrepreneurship Award

Travers Johnson received the highest overall score as founder and editor in chief of Queerency, a digital media company that highlights the best in queer business. He has more than 12 years of experience in digital media, print publishing and email marketing at some of the world’s leading companies, including Penguin Random House, Edelman and BET.

A writer and editor based in Austin, Travers was trained at Morehouse College and Georgetown University and is passionate about helping people tell their stories across various mediums.

Apply to Join the Maynard 200 Kick-off in Los Angeles

The 2022 program will be held in-person during the week of June 27th at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in Los Angeles, California. Maynard 200 fellows will benefit from tuition-free training and mentorship, plus air travel and lodging expenses will be covered by the Maynard Institute.

The deadline to apply for Maynard 200 is March 21st. Space is limited. Submit your application today!

In October, the 2021 cohort of Maynard 200 fellows gathered for week-long intensive training sessions joined by more than 60 executive level faculty and mentors whose caliber mirror back the wide representation of our fellows of diverse heritage and geography affiliation at mainstream and ethnic media outlets across disciplines and expertise. The convening plenary kicked off with a fireside chat featuring Kevin Merida, executive editor of the Los Angeles Times and Maynard Institute board member.

How Maynard 200 is meeting the moment

Maynard 200 Program Director, Odette Alcazaren-Keeley, helped set the tone for the keynote session by describing the high stakes facing Maynard 200 fellows today.

“In a climate where local journalism is under threat– in the print sector alone – today half of all daily newspapers in the United States are controlled by financial firms. For example, The Atlantic’s recent cover story points to newsrooms being gutted by hedge fund Alden Global Capital,” she said.

One of the Maynard Institute’s core programs, the Maynard 200 Fellowship provides advanced training to mid-career journalists of color to prime them as candidates for higher leadership roles. As industry leaders, Maynard 200 fellows have the opportunity to change the management culture including hiring practices in institutional and entrepreneurial news organizations.

“We look to our legacy values and groundbreaking work at the Maynard Institute, rooted in trust equity and belonging to change the culture and American media. And all of you, the voices of our fellows resound. We stand together with you in your work in defending the soul of our democracy,” Alcazaren-Keeley added.

Maynard Institute Co-executive director Evelyn Hsu addressed the group, thanking Merida and all the faculty for their support. Detailing the ways the Maynard family survives through the graduates of programs like Maynard 200.

Looking back on Merida’s career journey

In conversation with Maynard Institute’s co-executive director Martin Reynolds, Merida shared insights from his journalism career, from his earliest days to today as executive editor of the Los Angeles Times, the largest news gathering organization in the Western United States.

“It’s certainly nostalgic just listening to Evelyn talk about the history. Evelyn and I were classmates in the Maynard Instute’s 1979 summer program. And with that pioneering spirit that Bob Maynard had, it’s really important to remember history and how far we’ve come.”

Merida reflected on his journey in relation to Robert C. Maynard’s journey as well.

“This program is why I feel so close to Maynard and this family. It really helped shape my career as one of the most important experiences of my life. We were celebrating our graduation in 1979 from the program but also Bob Maynard’s ascension to be the first African American editor in our country’s history at the Oakland Tribune.”

Merida would later become the first Black managing editor of the Washington Post, before becoming senior vice president at ESPN and editor-in-chief at The Undefeated.

The role of technology in shaping journalism today

When Reynolds asked for thoughts on trends in journalism, Merida suggested that the digital revolution has evolved to the point where technology is now a major driver in the industry. He explained that journalists fluent in technology have the power to change industry conventions and storytelling as a whole for the better.

“We talk a lot about the digital revolution. I say we’re all digital now, whatever medium you belong to, we’re already in a digital environment. People said content is king and that’s true. But technology is really king among kings because the way in which we are able to reach people and to drive different consumption habits. And in some ways, those consumption habits are driven by technology.”

“So as journalism evolves and people who have grown up in the digital era have fluency that didn’t previously exist they gravitate toward different kinds of storytelling. Even just the way stories are written, every part of our business conventions. We’re disrupting that, so why wouldn’t we disrupt it all?”

“Newsrooms have always had challenges, but now we have challenges in more public ways and I think that is good for our business. It’s going to make us better.”

Leadership lessons on the importance of transparency and newsroom culture

In response to the question “how do you define culture, and how can the Maynard 200 fellows use culture to their leadership advantage?” Merida said culture can serve newsrooms as a grounding principle for inclusion.

“I always think transparency can’t be underestimated. We have to have a lot more open conversations. As citizens of this workplace, what are we going to stand for? How are we gonna operate? What is the environment of inclusion? What do we do that brings ourselves closer to our community? Culture defines an environment where everybody is welcome, where we can accommodate all kinds of people.”

Merida closed the plenary session with a call to action that echoed the vision of the institute’s founder, Robert C. Maynard who declared in 1978, “We must desegregate this business…Newsrooms have a responsibility to cure the legacy of racism.” The Institute has trained three Maynard 200 cohorts, who are now being promoted in both mainstream and ethnic media newsrooms such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Mother Jones, theGrio, the Associated Press, The Washington Post, the Washington Informer, Mundo Hispanico, Queerency, Univision KDTV Bay Area, Nieman Journalism Lab, among many others. Some of them are also have been awarded grants for entrepreneurial media ventures. As the Maynard Family grows, the journalism industry becomes closer to curing the legacy of racism.

About Maynard 200 faculty and mentors

The Maynard 200 program is grateful to Kevin Merida and all members of this year’s faculty who led sessions and all who continue to serve as mentors. This year’s faculty is once again a high-caliber roster of 60+ executives in media and other relevant disciplines. Their expertise and representation mirror that of our fellows – of diverse heritage, geography across the United States and globally, affiliation at mainstream and ethnic media outlets as well as entrepreneurial ventures.

The Maynard 200 program includes three areas of focus: media entrepreneurship, executive leadership and storytelling. Each track is led by accomplished experts, and this year we are privileged to have media strategist Dickson Louie for media entrepreneurship, former newsroom C-suite executive Virgil Smith in executive leadership, and award-winning investigative reporter and author Aaron Glantz for storytelling. Dickson Louie and Virgil Smith serve on the institute’s board of directors as well.

Serving as track deputies this year are Emmanuel Martinez, data reporter at The Markup who was also a session speaker for Storytelling; and Waylae Gregoire, Partner, Head of Business Development at NextShark, for Media Entrepreneurship.

The Maynard Institute’s allies in the field have been instrumental in this year’s recruitment and selection of our stellar 2021 fellows including Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA), National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), Native American Journalists Association (NAJA), National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Poynter Institute, the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York (CUNY), and Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ). Special thanks to IRE’s support for this year’s mentorship roster, which includes their distinguished board members and network partners.

The 2021 Maynard 200 Journalism Fellowship is supported by Google News Initiative, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Hearthland Foundation and the McClatchy Foundation.

The 2021 Faculty Roster

Plenary and Track Session Speakers:

• Kevin Merida – Executive Editor, Los Angeles Times / Board Member, Maynard Institute for Journalism Education
• Caroline Ceniza-Levine – Co-Founder, Dream Career Club
• Nicholas Whitaker – Well-Being and Mindfulness Coach
• Adriana Lacy – Freelance Journalist and Audience Strategist
• Jinah Kim – CEO and Founder, World Wise Productions/ NBC News correspondent
• Arthur Korteweg – Dean’s Associate Professor in Business Administration/Associate Professor of Finance and Business Economics, USC Marshall School of Business
• James Nixon – Vice President, Digital Product Management, Marketing Technology, Hilton
• Alison Saldanha – Data Reporter, NPR’s California Newsroom and the Seattle Times
• Emmanuel Martinez – Data Reporter, The Markup
• Catherine Eckstein – CEO, Cornerstone CMO / General Partner, Sonoran Founders Fund
• Tom Nixon – Owner, Tom Nixon Designs
• Sandra Clark – Vice President, News and Civic Dialogue, WHYY-FM, Philadelphia
• Katrice Hardy – Executive Editor, The Dallas Morning News

Mentors for Storytelling:

• Cheryl W. Thompson – Senior Editor, Station Investigations / Investigative Correspondent, NPR
• Monique O. Madan – National Investigative Reporter, USA TODAY
• Josh Hinkle – Director Investigations & Innovation / Political Host, KXAN/NBC Austin/Nexstar
• Deepa Fernandes – Correspondent / Senior Newsroom Advisor, Race and Equity, San Francisco Chronicle
• Priya Sridhar – Political Reporter, NBC San Diego
• Paul Radu – Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project [OOCRP]
• Yahya Abou-Ghazala – Production Assistant, CNN Investigates
• Jyoti Thottam – Senior Opinion Editor, The New York Times
• Alyssa Jeong Perry – Producer, NPR’s CodeSwitch
• Leslie Eaton – Senior Editor, Investigations, The Marshall Project
• John Harden – Data Reporter, The Washington Post
• Jazmine Ulloa – Congress / National Politics Reporter, The Boston Globe
• Jordan Rau – Senior Correspondent, Kaiser Health News
• AC Thompson – Staff Reporter, ProPublica
• Kamala Kelkar – Senior Investigations Editor, KPCC and LAist

Mentors for Executive Leadership:

• Joanne Po – Head of Multimedia Content / Executive Producer, Coin Desk
• Regina Reyes – Vice President, News & Current Affairs, ABS-CBN Channel 2 – Philippines
• Michael Days – Former Vice President Diversity and EIC, Philly Daily News / Partner, Editors on Call, LLC
• Sandra Clark – Vice President, News and Civic Dialogue, WHYY-FM, Philadelphia
• Katrice Hardy – Executive Editor, The Dallas Morning News
• Henry Furhmann – Retired / Former Editor, Los Angeles Times
• Susan Leath – COO, The GroundTruth Project / Board Member, MIJE
• Debra Addams Simmons – History and Culture Executive Editor, National Geographic/ Board Member, MIJE
• Christian (Chris) Hendricks – President, Local Media Consortium / Managing Partner, Extol Digital / Venture Partner, Impact Venture Capital / Board Member, MIJE
• Joe DiNunzio – Executive Director, Mike and Renee Child Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, UC Davis
• Jose Carlos Zamora – Senior Vice President Strategic Communication, Univision News
• Amanda Barrett – Vice President/ Head of News Audience, The Associated Press/ M200 Alumna – Exec. Leadership-2019
• Maxie C. Jackson III – Chief Content Officer, New England Public Media / M200 Alumnus – Media Entrepreneurship-2019
• Ronnie Ramos – Executive Editor, Daily Memphian
• Adriana Lacy – Freelance Journalist / Audience Strategist

Mentors for Media Entrepreneurship:

• Aprill O. Turner – PR Strategist / Board Member, Maynard Institute for Journalism Education
• Bruce Koon – Former Public Media Executive, KQED / Consultant, Maynard Institute for Journalism Education
• Alli Joseph – Brand Evangelist / On-Camera Host / Journalist / Producer
• Ashley Alvarado – VP of Community Engagement and Strategic Initiatives, KPCC + Southern California Public Radio LAist ,
• Kim Bardakian – Senior Director, Partnerships, Kapor Center / Board Member, Maynard Institute for Journalism Education
• Mike McPhate – Founder, California Sun
• Alec Saelens – Manager, Solutions Journalism Network’s Revenue Project-SJN
• Jinah Kim – WorldWise Productions / Inventor, NIKO USA, LLC / Part-Time Correspondent, NBC News
• Roxann Stafford – Managing Director, The Knight-Lenfest Local News Transformation Fund
• George Haj – President, Haj Media – Strategic Communications
• Marisa Porto – Assistant Dean of Administration, Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications – Hampton University / Former Publisher/Editor, Tribune Publishing’s Daily Press Media Group
• Sally Lehrman – CEO, The Trust Project
• Yasmin Namini – Digital Media Consultant + Advisor [Global]/ Former Chief Consumer Officer, The New York Times
• Candice Fortman – CEO / Executive Director, Outlier Media

The Maynard 200 fellows reconvened virtually for their second week of intensive training, panel discussions, workshops, and mentorship. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 fellows have been unable to gather in-person. To help foster connections in the virtual program, fellows were invited to submit video clips shot from their individual locations and share their thoughts on the Maynard 200 program.

One of the Maynard Institute’s core programs, the Maynard 200 Fellowship provides advanced training to mid-career journalists of color to prime them as candidates for higher leadership roles. The program is designed with three tracks: Storytelling, Media Entrepreneurship, and Executive Leadership. During the week of trainings, daily plenary sessions kicked off with a watch party of these brief compilation videos for all fellows, faculty, and mentors to enjoy together.

Maynard 200 Storytellers

Each track is led by accomplished experts, and this year we are lucky to have award-winning investigative reporter and author Aaron Glantz for the storytelling track. Fellows in this track include: Marina Affo, Stephanie Casanova, Angela Chen, Eleanore Catolico, Rommel Conclara, Ruslan Gurzhiy, Estephany Haro Thalia Juarez Sarah Mizes-Tan Herb Pinder Cortlynn Stark Jasmine Vaughn-Hall, Mark Walker, Dalia Hatuqa, and Sameea Kamal.

Fellow Stephanie Casanova, who recently joined The Chicago Tribune as Breaking News and Criminal Justice Reporter, said, “Maynard 200 has helped me be more confident and push aside the imposter syndrome that would have prevented me from applying to this job in the first place.”

Maynard 200 Executive Leaders

Led by former newsroom C-suite executive Virgil Smith, fellows in the executive leadership track include Stephen Angeles, Charmayne Brown , Anica Butler, Tripp J. Crouse, Gary Estwick, Samantha Guzman, Lottie Joiner, Ashton R. Lattimore, Khalilah E. Liptrot, Marian Liu, Michelle Faust Raghavan, Rajeswari Ramanathan, Ross Terrell, Benet J. Wilson, and Tasha Stewart.

“This Maynard experience has really underscored all the ways that journalists of color are too often undervalued in dominant newsrooms. It’s just been incredible to be in a room of people, virtual though it may be, where you really feel like you are seen and you are heard and your contributions are deeply appreciated,” said fellow Khalilah L. Liptrot, Senior Producer of the Black News Channel’s AMplified with Aisha Mills in New York.

Maynard 200 Media Entrepreneurs

Media strategist Dickson Louie leads the media entrepreneurship track for fellows Annie Guo VanDan, Pete Camarillo, Clarisa Strohmeyer, , Jenee Darden, Felicia Purcell, Delonte Harrod, Kevon Paynter, Hannah Kim, Anuz Thapa, Meena Thiruvengadam, Marvin Ramirez, datejie cheko green, Travers Johnson, and Michelle Garcia.

“I’m so thankful for the Maynard 200 because I’m in a space of people who are also innovating in journalism but we’re not doing this alone, we’re doing this together,” said fellow Kevon Paynter, Founder and CEO of Bloc by Block News.

About the Maynard 200 Program

The Maynard Institute has trained two outstanding cohorts so far since 2018, who are now being promoted in both mainstream and ethnic media newsrooms such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Mother Jones, theGrio, the Associated Press, the Washington Informer, Mundo Hispanico, Nieman Journalism Lab, among many others, or earning grants for entrepreneurial media ventures. The continuation of this cornerstone program will be critical to advancing the Maynard Institute’s efforts to expand the diversity pipeline in American media and dismantle structural racism in its newsrooms. These leaders will have the opportunity to change the management culture including hiring practices in institutional and entrepreneurial news organizations.

The program is tuition-free thanks to funding by Google News Initiative, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Hearthland Foundation and the McClatchy Foundation.

Learn more about the 2021 Fellows.