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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Oakland, Calif. (September 9, 2022): The Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding diversity in the news media and dismantling structural racism in newsrooms, announced today the launch of the Equity and Belonging Newsroom Transformation Program. The pilot program, funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, is an initiative that will pair news organizations with consultants who have a wealth of experience training journalists on diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) issues. The goal is to help transform workplace structures, organizational cultures and news coverage to be more inclusive and reflective of the United States.

To launch the new initiative, Maynard will pilot the program in two news organizations during two five-month periods. One organization selected will be an alumni of the Table Stakes Local News Transformation Program. The second pilot program is open to nonprofit, for-profit and independent news organizations across the country. Applications for the Equity and Belonging Newsroom Transformation Program must be submitted by 11:59 P.M. PDT on Oct. 7.

Each news organization will work closely with the Maynard Institute team and consultants Global Equity Collective and CRB Global LLC & Rich Diversity Consulting LLC to create the strategies, plans, benchmarks and training to implement DEIB values for lasting impact. Joining the Maynard team will be Jean-Marie Brown, Maynard Fault Lines® senior trainer and professor of professional practice in journalism at Texas Christian University. Mei-Ling Hopgood, journalist and professor at the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communication at Northwestern University, will document the impact of the initiative and publish a case study at the conclusion of the pilot program.

“Too often diversity efforts are performative,” said Martin G. Reynolds, co-executive director of the Maynard Institute. “We want to operationalize belonging so that BIPOC and folks of diverse backgrounds can thrive and contribute even more meaningfully to the growth, sustainability and credibility of the outlets where they work.

“We want to show that when organizations invest in equity and inclusion, working relationships between people improve, there is less labor strife, attrition and toxicity. Newsrooms that center the concept of belonging foster innovation, better journalism, and more importantly, the capacity to build or repair relationships with communities. We are excited to see what we can create through this program,” Reynolds said.

“This initiative presents a great opportunity to bring experts in the field together to lead two news organizations toward sustainable, equitable change,” said Felecia D. Henderson, director of cultural competency at the Maynard Institute. “Our goal is to test methodologies, re-test, and document the processes of both pilot programs in order to replicate the work to assist future media outlets that want to make meaningful change.”

About the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education

For 45 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 U.S. newsrooms through our programs , which gives media professionals of color the tools to become skilled storytellers, empowered executives and inspired entrepreneurs. Visit the Maynard Institute website to learn more.

Questions?

CONTACT:

Felecia D. Henderson
Director of Cultural Competency, Maynard Institute
fhenderson@mije.org

Martin G. Reynolds
Co-Executive Director, Maynard Institute
mreynolds@mije.org

Join the Newsroom Transformation Program

Applications are now closed. Subscribe for email updates about our next program application period.

The Maynard Institute was fortunate enough to present two in-person events at this year’s NABJ-NAHJ Convention in Las Vegas. In addition to a cocktail reception celebrating the institute’s 45th anniversary, Felecia Henderson, an award-winning newspaper editor and Director of Cultural Competency at the Maynard Institute, organized and moderated a panel discussion titled, ‘The New Face of Executive Leadership: Black Women Smash Print Industry’s Glass Ceiling.’ This blog details some highlights and key takeaways from the standing-room only session.

Print industry’s history-making trailblazers

Last year proved to be history-making for Black journalists in positions of power. In 2021, six women were tapped to lead print news organizations as executive editor, roles traditionally held by white men. They are charged with coverage, operational budgets, hiring, retention and the overall health and viability of their organizations. In a wide-ranging conversation, seven ground-breaking women shared their journeys, issues they face inside and outside their organizations, and what they are doing to ensure more journalists of color have opportunities to succeed.

Panelists included:

• Rana Cash, executive editor, The Charlotte Observer
• Katrice Hardy, executive editor, The Dallas Morning News
• Mary Irby-Jones, executive editor, The Courier Journal (Louisville, Ky.)
• Maria Reeve, executive editor, The Houston Chronicle
• Leisa Richardson, executive editor, The State Journal-Register (Springfield, Ill.)
• Monica Richardson, executive editor, The Miami Herald
• Debra Adams Simmons, executive editor-culture, National Geographic

Photo by Mark Russell / The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal

In addition to her role as Director of Cultural Competency at the Maynard Institute, Henderson has served as a coach on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging issues to more than 100 print and broadcast news organizations nationwide that participate in Table Stakes digital newsroom innovation programs. Prior to joining the institute, Felecia was Assistant Managing Editor at The Detroit News where she was a member of the senior management team responsible for newsroom operations. Henderson shared she was inspired to create the panel session for NABJ-NAHJ convention, in part, because of lack of attention to this key milestone.

“I conceived this discussion to shine a spotlight on the extremely talented, groundbreaking women who are leading print news organizations in 2022. There has been no full-scale story on this historic period in the journalism industry, and the women deserve recognition,” she said.

Holding the door open for the next generation of trailblazers

The ‘New Face of Executive Leadership’ session was designed to help participants take away strategies on earning or maintaining a seat at the leadership table. Key points ranged from addressing racist and sexist hate mail and social media vitriol, to tips for developing mentors and allies.

Henderson opened the session to a completely packed room. As attendees continued to stream in when there was standing-room only, she acknowledged that panelists Katrice Hardy and Mary Irby-Jones were forced to cancel their appearances at the convention.

Photo by Odette Alcazaren-Keeley

Henderson led with asking panelists about some of the positive experiences they have had as some of the first Black, female executives at their respective papers. Leisa Richardson of The State Journal-Register in Springfield, Ill., said, “I have had the opportunity to shape the careers of BIPOC journalists. Relaunching careers or starting young careers.”

As executive editors, the panelists also emphasized their ability to impact diverse hiring and fair reporting practices on communities of color at their organizations. “To be able to shape coverage and hold the door open and wait to fill a job until the applicant pool is diverse is critical,” said Reeve of the Houston Chronicle, “and it’s not something you see unless there are executives of color.”

Monica Richardson of the Miami Herald echoed the importance of holding space and nurturing journalists of color, saying that she feels joy when, “journalists come to me and say that they have never had anyone else to go to before.”

The audience reaction was palpable upon hearing about the panelists’ experiences with overt and covert racism. Richardson, who is the first Black executive editor in the history of the Miami Herald, shared her decision to publicly address a piece of particularly egregious hate mail. She was concerned with backlash. “You have to be fearless in order to stand up to hate and racism and to say that this is not ok,” she said.

When Henderson transitioned to hear audience questions, journalists of all generations shared their gratitude for the sacrifices made by the trailblazers.

Debra Adams Simmons, who also serves on the Maynard Institute board of directors, closed by praising the community that the group of panelists have forged. “We may have been some of the first, but we will not be the last.”

Don’t miss our next session at ONA22

Shortly on the heels of the NABJ-NAHJ Convention, the Maynard Institute will be joining Online News Association conference in Los Angeles to continue our Vision25 Pay Equity series on Thursday, Sep 22 – 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM PT. This session is a follow-up to the August 11th webcast featuring guest speakers from Media2070. The Online News Association, OpenNews and the Maynard Institute have come together to create Vision25: Building Racial Equity in Newsrooms, a catalyst in a social change movement that seeks to build journalistic institutions where newsrooms are actively anti-racist and collaborative, and journalists of color feel like they truly belong. Learn more and register for the event.

From Left: Oakland Voices alumni Marabet Morales Sikahall and Tony Daquipa meet with Norman “Vogue” Chuck and his wife Gloria at their studio. (Photo by Kat Ferreira)

This article was originally published on the Oakland Voices website.

Today, we updated the Oakland Voices website–for ease of reading, maximizing visual storytelling, and improved accessibility. We also updated the Oakland Voices design and masthead to capture the history and spirit of our community journalism program, formed in 2010 by a partnership between the Oakland Tribune and the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education. We commissioned local, veteran aerosol artist Norman “Vogue” Chuck of the legendary Bay Area street art collective, TDK crew.

Chuck was engaged to create a new logo for the Oakland Voices program that reflected elements of the city’s history, diversity, and pluralities. When Chuck was approached to design the logo for Oakland Voices, he said it wasn’t normally something he did. While he did graphic design when he was younger, he normally paints aerosols on large-scale canvases. “I wanted to try stuff that may be challenging,” Chuck said.

Oakland Voices needed a visual identity to emphasize the program’s deep East Oakland roots and its long history of amplifying the voices of everyday Oakland residents. Engaging a legendary street artist like Vogue for custom artwork made sense because TDK murals are so iconic and regionally-specific to Oakland’s local culture.

Chuck’s artwork has been commissioned all over the world. But, he refined his art chops in the Town. Chuck started out as a youth painting the train yards in Oakland and developing his lettering flair in the 1980s. Chuck grew up in San Leandro but spent much of his career painting in Oakland. He also owned a shop in East Oakland, airbrushing and doing custom artwork on low-riders. Chuck notes that his style is influenced by BMX, lowrider culture, and nature.

Over the years, Chuck has developed an exquisite, almost hyperreal painting technique for aerosol spray paint. His influence can be seen in commissioned murals throughout the region– from the Dubs Dynasty mural at the downtown Marriott to the East Bay Dragons mural and Ghost Ship fire memorial. In 2018, Chuck’s work was curated by the Oakland Museum of California in the exhibit titled RESPECT: Hip-Hop Style and Wisdom.

“Oakland allowed me to thrive in painting and be creative,” Chuck told Oakland Voices about his love for the Town.

Oakland Voices design inspiration in murals and mastheads

The new Oakland Voices visual identity uses the old English font for the word “Oakland” as a nod to The Oakland Tribune masthead, where the community journalism training program first began. Oakland Voices was co-founded by Martin Reynolds, managing editor at the Tribune at the time and now Maynard Institute’s Co-Executive Director. The Oakland Voices program emerged from a partnership between the Oakland Tribune and the Maynard Institute so it was important to capture the program’s history in the new design.

Another part of the inspiration for Oakland Voices’ new look was the “Oakland is Proud” mural, painted by Chuck’s TDK crewmate, Del Phresh. The original mural located on East 12th Street no longer exists, but many artists have painted the phrase including Ise Lyfe’s 2013 art exhibit called Brighter than Blight.

In 2013, artist Ise Lyfe transformed East Oakland’s Greenside housing complex into an art exhibit before it was demolished. The exhibit included a version of the iconic mural. Photo via KALW Staff.

The lettering of “Voices” is a throwback to East Oakland street art culture. The early years of the Oakland Voices program focused on training community members specifically from East Oakland to tell stories of their neighborhoods.

The collage color palette was influenced by the mash-up of design elements, directly influenced by local street art and the Maynard Institute’s branding. The choice of green as the primary color echoes the city’s green street signs, and more importantly, the iconic green patina of the Oakland Tribune Tower bronze roof. Oakland Voices is over 10 years old and still thriving. The new design’s primary green color is both minty fresh and rooted in Oakland’s rich history. Just like oxidized bronze grows more beautiful with time and exposure, so does the Oakland Voices program.

Inclusive design process with Oakland Voices alumni

Some Oakland Voices alumni participated in the design process. Marabet Morales Sikahall (2016) and Tony Daquipa (2016-2017 and 2022 Maynard 200 Fellow) both went to Chuck’s art studio in San Leandro to look at the design and give their thoughts. Sikahall grew up in East Oakland and Daquipa lives in East Oakland.

Chuck had created an initial mock up before the meeting. “We all agreed we liked the old English, and we agreed that we also liked the way the other Oakland worked,” Daquipa said about the process. “So [Chuck] said, I’ll make the Voices look like this. So we all participated.”

Chuck said that sometimes these things go bad in person, with too many ideas, “because they don’t usually know anything about art, but it went really well.”

“There aren’t many living artists that could better represent that legacy than Vogue, whose legendary TDK crew earned international acclaim by writing their stories on the walls of East Oakland.” Tony Daquipa, Oakland Voices alum.
Photo: Norman “Chuck” Vogue drafting design ideas for Oakland Voices at his studio (credit: Tony Daquipa).

Sikahall, who is now the Program & Community Manager at Oakland’s Chapter 510, a nonprofit youth writing center, said that Oakland Voices–and the new logo–represents Oakland well.

“This is the real Oakland, that’s always made ripples in the world. Oakland is small but mighty–I’ve always thought that about Oakland. The logo is one of these opportunities to say, we’re here, we’re going to keep kicking butt. Oakland Voices has succeeded in that it’s maintained its integrity by honoring that truth of Oakland, because people take storytelling to heart. Oakland Voices is just a really amazing community of people, people who grew up in Oakland but also people who moved to Oakland and felt naturally at ease in Oakland.”

Daquipa adds that he is proud to be associated with Chuck in any way, as he sees him as one of the most legendary–and certainly of living graffiti artists–of the Bay Area.

“There aren’t many living artists that could better represent that legacy than Vogue, whose legendary TDK crew earned international acclaim by writing their stories on the walls of East Oakland,” Daquipa added.

About Oakland Voices

Oakland Voices is a journalism training program led by the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education that trains Oakland residents to tell the stories of their neighborhoods. Oakland Voices correspondents are trained in digital media storytelling — writing blogs and online pieces, taking photos, shooting video, and using social media to discuss issues that matter most in their communities. Visit oaklandvoices.us for the latest stories and more!

OAKLAND, CA (May 25, 2022): The Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding diversity in the news media and dismantling structural racism in newsrooms, announced today the recipients of its 2022 Maynard 200 Fellowship. The fellowship is on track to meet its 2023 goal of cultivating 200 media leaders dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in journalism. The program is supported by the Google News Initiative, the Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Hearthland Foundation, and The McClatchy Foundation. The Fox Corporation is a sponsor for the 2022 program.

“We look forward to welcoming the Maynard 200 class of 2022, especially as we return to in-person training at our university host site– the USC Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism,” said Odette Alcazaren-Keeley, Maynard 200 director. “Our customized curriculum across four tracks, propels the professional acumen of storytellers, frontline editors and managers, newsroom leaders and entrepreneurs, amplifies their diverse voices, and builds allyship grounded in equity and belonging. This is pivotal especially now, in chronicling the crises of our time.”

The expanded 2022 cohort will bring together 57 journalists for two weeks of in-person training, plus additional virtual webinars throughout the summer. In the fall, fellows will be paired with industry experts in relevant disciplines in their area of interest, to receive one year of one-to-one mentorship through October 2023.

“Earlier generations of Maynard Institute program alumni have ascended to the highest levels of American journalism. We have great hopes that graduates of Maynard 200 will have similar accomplishments,” said Evelyn Hsu, co-executive director of the institute.

Fellows are affiliated with a mix of mainstream, ethnic, local community and niche media, as well as entrepreneurial ventures. The 2022 Maynard 200 cohort includes:

Investigative Storytelling Fellows pictured (clockwise from top left) include Lenn Almadin-Thornhill, P. Kenneth Burns, Iridian Casarez, Stefanos Chen, Jessica Chou, Paresh Dave, Emily Elena Dugdale, Amber Ferguson, William J. Ford, Tekendra Parmar, Alison Saldanha, Romita Saluja, TaMaryn Waters, Aallyah Wright.

Investigative Storytelling

• Lenn Almadin-Thornhill – Assignment Editor, CourtTV / Correspondent, The Filipino Channel TV-ABS-CBN News
• P. Kenneth Burns – South Jersey Reporter, WHYY-FM
• Iridian Casarez – Staff Writer, North Coast Journal
• Stefanos Chen – Reporter, The New York Times
• Jessica Chou – Supervising Producer, Insider
• Anthony Daquipa – Writer, Oakland Voices
• Paresh Dave – Technology Correspondent, Reuters
• Emily Elena Dugdale – Criminal Justice Reporter, KPCC/LAist, Southern California Public Radio
• Amber Ferguson – Senior Video Editor, The Washington Post
• William J. Ford – Staff Writer, The Washington Informer
• Tekendra Parmar – Tech Editor, Business Insider
• Alison Saldanha – Graphics Reporter, The Seattle Times
• Romita Saluja – Independent Journalist and Writer, The Washington Post, Foreign Policy, Ms Magazine, BBC
• TaMaryn Waters – Economic Development Reporter, Tallahassee Democrat/USA TODAY Network
• Aallyah Wright – National Rural Issues Reporter, Capital B News

Editors and Managers Fellows pictured (clockwise from top left) include Kristin Bender, Jasmine Brown, Corinne Chin, Michael Cruz, Brandon T. Harden, Alexandria Hasenstab, Bourree Lam, Yuri Nagano, Ngoc Nguyen, Patricia Peart, Beena Raghavendran, Joe Ruiz, Brianna Tucker, Neeti Upadhye, Denise Watson, Christina Yao Lee.

Frontline Editors and Managers

• Kristin Bender – News Writer, KTVU Fox 2
• Jasmine Brown – Senior Producer, Race & Culture, ABC World News Tonight with David Muir
• Corinne Chin – Director of News Talent for Recruitment, The Associated Press
• Michael Cruz – Arizona Editor. The Arizona Republic / Gannett
• Brandon T. Harden – Senior Editor, Insider, Inc.
• Alexandria Hasenstab – Breaking News Editor, Oregon Public Broadcasting
• Bourree Lam – Deputy Coverage Chief, Life & Work, The Wall Street Journal
• Yuri Nagano – West Coast Editor, Bloomberg Industry Group
• Ngoc Nguyen – CA Partnerships and Ethnic Media Editor, Kaiser Health News
• Patricia Peart – Vice President, Weekend Booking, Fox News Media
• Beena Raghavendran – Editor, Digital Storytelling & Training, The New York Times
• Joe Ruiz – Senior Editor, CNN Politics
• Brianna Tucker – Deputy Editor, 202 Newsletters, The Washington Post
• Neeti Upadhye – Supervising Producer, The Washington Post
• Denise Watson – Features Editor, The Virginian-Pilot/Daily Press
• Christina Yao Lee – Executive Producer of Enterprise Journalism, Houston Public Media

Executive Leadership Fellows pictured (clockwise from top left) include Christine Brouwer, Laura Janelle Downey, Larry Graham, Renée Mendoza Haran, Miranda Kennedy, Victor Lim, Marla Jones-Newman, Manuel McDonell Smith, Ben Trefny, Marcus Vanderberg, Jill Van Why, Stephanie Wu.

Executive Leadership

• Christine Brouwer – Executive Broadcast Producer, Good Morning America/ABC News
• Laura Janelle Downey – Executive Editor, WebMD Magazine and Senior Managing Editor, WebMD
• Larry Graham – Founder/ED, The Diversity Pledge Institute
• Renée Mendoza Haran – Leader, Digital Content Strategy, Global Demo Engineering, Cisco
• Miranda Kennedy – Supervising Senior Editor, NPR’s Morning Edition
• Victor Lim – Director of Growth Marketing, Chicago Public Media
• Marla Jones-Newman – VP, People and Culture, Mother Jones
• Manuel McDonnell Smith – Managing Editor, CBS News Philadelphia
• Ben Trefny – Interim Executive Director, KALW Public Media
• Marcus Vanderberg – Sr. NBA Editor, ESPN
• Jill Van Why – Senior Vice President, Programming Operations, Fox News Media
• Stephanie Wu – Editor-in-Chief, Eater/Vox Media

Media Entrepreneurship Fellows pictured (clockwise from top left) include Liz Alesse, Quinton R. Arthur, Angelica Cabral, Arcynta Childs, Priya David Clemens, Nancy Flores, Melba Newsome, Emilya “Eming” Piansay, Shaneen Quarles, Mariela Santos-Muñiz, Rasheed Shabazz, Corey Takahashi, Michael Tennant, Lisa D. Tinsley.

Media Entrepreneurship

• Liz Alesse – Vice President, ABC Audio, ABC News
• Quinton R. Arthur – President/CEO, QRamone Media
• Angelica Cabral – Founder, What’s Next website and magazine / Reporter, East Bay Times
• Arcynta Childs – Founder, Homegirl Media
• Priya David Clemens – Host and Co-Producer, KQED Newsroom, KQED PBS TV
• Nancy Flores – Editor and Publisher, Austin Vida
• Melba Newsome – Creator/Founder, Coastal Plains Environmental Advocate/Independent Journalist
• Emilya “Eming” Piansay – Co-Founder and Managing Editor, Kwest On Media
• Shaneen Quarles – Media Personality and Entrepreneur, Shaneenspeaks: Divine Communications & Connections Inc.
• Mariela Santos-Muñiz – Founder, BoriMás/MSM Media LLC, Freelance Journalist, Database Coordinator, Center for Cooperative Media
• Rasheed Shabazz – Co-Director, Oakland Voices
• Corey Takahashi – Professor, Journalist, Multimedia Producer, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University
• Michael Tennant – CEO, Curiosity Lab / Actually Curious
• Lisa D. Tinsley – Founder/Program Director, KISA Public Radio

Read the bios for the 2022 Maynard 200 Fellows.

The Maynard 200 program continues to strengthen the institute’s long-standing partnership with USC Annenberg, bound by a shared commitment to accelerate the career advancement of the next generation of media professionals.

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. Visit Maynard Institute to learn more.

Questions?

For more information about the Maynard 200 Fellowship, please reach out to:
Maynard 200 Director, Odette Alcazaren-Keeley at okeeley@mije.org.

The Associated Press, The Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting and The Maynard Institute for Journalism Education today announced plans to work together to improve diversity in newsrooms and news reports through journalistic and leadership training and more inclusive storytelling.

The Inclusive Journalism Initiative is an effort by the organizations to move the news industry toward a comprehensive plan for smarter and more expansive coverage of race and systemic inequality.

The initiative will accelerate the work of all three groups to grow the number and caliber of training opportunities for news leaders and aspiring investigative editors from underrepresented communities.

AP will enhance its own inclusive storytelling effort, launched in 2020, within the news agency and in customer newsrooms in the U.S. through new training.

“Inclusive newsrooms benefit from well-trained news leaders equipped with the right skills for significantly addressing the inequalities that, like every aspect of our culture, have impacted journalism through the years,” said AP Vice President and Head of News Audience Amanda Barrett, who along with Deputy Managing Editor Sarah Nordgren was responsible for building the initiative. “The collaboration announced today sets in motion a journalism future we all can be proud of.”

“The glaring and persistent lack of diversity, equity and belonging across journalism has deeply eroded the credibility of this craft, particularly in the eyes of communities of color,” said Maynard Institute Co-Executive Director Martin G. Reynolds. “Most mainstream news organizations lack the training and capacity to connect with new and emerging audiences. This initiative will help to address this challenge by enabling us to offer our Fault Lines diversity framework training to AP member newsrooms that may otherwise not have access to it. Our goal is to help these outlets create better journalism and to rethink their approach to organizational culture.”

“This initiative is about a fundamental shift in the way we do news in this country,” said Ida B. Wells Society Director Rhema Bland. “It’s an acknowledgement that the health and survival of this industry and in turn our democracy hinges on an expansive, comprehensive culture change.”

The Inclusive Journalism Initiative is funded by The Hearthland Foundation, Nathan Cummings Foundation and the Reva & David Logan Foundation.

Goals of the Inclusive Journalism Initiative include:

• Providing AP’s audience with solutions-based journalism and data that informs more inclusive news stories.
• Building deeper and smarter spot news and enterprise coverage in words and visuals of communities of color by an enhanced focus that embraces all subject areas.
• Equipping journalists at all stages of their careers, within and beyond AP, with the tools and training they need to lead the news industry on these issues going forward.
• Developing new, industry-wide professional standards for inclusive storytelling, including an expanded section of the AP Stylebook, the must-have reference for writers, editors, students and professionals.

The funding for the initiative will be administered through the Maynard Institute and through Journalism Funding Partners, which helps support news organizations through fiscal sponsorship. Reynolds is also a member of the Reva & David Logan Foundation’s board of directors and recused himself from the vote to fund the initiative.

About AP

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day. Online: www.ap.org

About The Ida B. Wells Society

The Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting is a news trade organization dedicated to increasing and retaining reporters and editors of color in the field of investigative reporting. Founded in 2016 by veteran journalists Nikole Hannah-Jones, Ron Nixon, and Topher Sanders, the organization seeks to provide free and low-cost training, skills-building, and support for journalists of color pursuing investigative work. The Society is open to journalists of all backgrounds who support the mission and work of the organization. Since its founding, it has served more than 2,000 journalists through its programming. For more information, visit idabwellssociety.org. 

About The Maynard Institute for Journalism Education

The Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education has been fighting for antiracism and belonging in journalism since 1977. The institute was founded to promote diversity and antiracism in the news media through improved coverage, hiring and business practices. We challenge the systemic lack of diversity in the news industry through training, collaborations and convenings. Through programs like the Maynard 200 fellowship, the institute is working to create better representation in America’s newsrooms. Visit maynard.institute to learn more.

Contact

Lauren Easton
Global Director of Media Relations and Corporate Communications
The Associated Press
212-621-7005
leaston(at)ap(dot)org

Nicole Meir
Media Relations Manager
The Associated Press
212-621-7536
nmeir(at)ap(dot)org

Vision25’s Belonging in the News returns on April 13 with acclaimed journalist and editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, Versha Sharma as our guest. We are excited to announce that–by popular demand–Vision25 will also be hosting a post-event party discussion. Leaders of our Vision25 partner organizations, Sisi Wei of OpenNews and Irving Washington of the Online News Association, will join us on screen after the main event to facilitate a discussion in the Crowdcast chat on any extra themes or questions that audience members want to cover. There is no need for extra registration, just stay on the same Crowdcast event page to participate. The after party will last for as long as audience members would like, with a hard stop at 1:30pm PT/4:30pm ET. Can’t wait to see you there!

One of the goals for the Vision25: Building Racial Equity in Newsrooms collaboration is to establish ‘institutions of belonging.’ The term describes actively anti-racist news organizations where journalists of color have a sense of agency and belonging in the newsroom. We believe that institutions of belonging are part of the solution to creating a diverse, equitable and trustworthy press.

RSVP to Belonging in the News with Versha Sharma to join the after party!

In the upcoming episode of Belonging in the News, co-executive director of the Maynard Institute Martin Reynolds, will discuss belonging with award winning-journalist and the current editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, Versha Sharma. Teen Vogue, a web-only Condé Nast publication, pivoted to become a strong voice on social justice issues in recent years.

The discussion will explore:

• having a sense of agency in the newsroom
• belonging as a journalist of color while reporting for a major US publication
• what feels like to be a “first” and Versha’s experience as first South Asian American woman to helm Teen Vogue

The event is one hour. The last 15 minutes will be open for audience questions. NEW For the first time ever we’ll be hosting a moderated, post-event party for members of the audience to flesh out any of the comments or themes from the live discussion. This post-event discussion will be hosted by executive members of Vision25 in the chat on our Crowdcast livestream after the event has ended, so you only need to register once. Join us on Wednesday, April 13 at 12pm PT / 3pm ET for the webinar and at 1pm PT / 4pm ET for the after party!

The Online News Association, OpenNews and the Maynard Institute have come together to create Vision25: Building Racial Equity in Newsrooms, a catalyst in a social change movement that seeks to build journalistic institutions where newsrooms are actively anti-racist and collaborative, and journalists of color feel like they truly belong. Learn more here.

Martin G. Reynolds in conversation with Manolia Charlotin and Lewis Raven Wallace of Press On in episode four of Vision25 Belonging in the News

Vision25’s Belonging in the News returns next week with acclaimed journalist and editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, Versha Sharma as our guest. Register for the next Belonging in the News discussion — we promise our guests don’t hold back! In honor of the 2022 return of our popular virtual event series in partnership with OpenNews and the Online News Association we’re sharing a compilation of some of our favorite mic drop moments from the past episodes.

One of the goals for the Vision25: Building Racial Equity in Newsrooms collaboration is to establish ‘institutions of belonging.’ The term describes actively anti-racist news organizations where journalists of color have a sense of agency and belonging in the newsroom. We believe that institutions of belonging are part of the solution to creating a diverse, equitable and trustworthy press.

Mic drops on busting the myth of objectivity

1.“If our standard is to appear to be objective, our standard becomes to lie to our readers.”

These journalism institutions should have their values clearly stated somewhere. If truth-telling is a value then no journalist working for an institution should get in trouble for telling the truth.” –Episode 3, Wesley Lowery, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author and correspondent for CBS News

2.“We’re trusting heterosexual, white men of privilege who have been consuming mainstream narratives about immigrants for years to do ‘objective’ reporting on that issue and hire reporters on that issue… And all of the media we are consuming is through that filter. That is bad journalism.” –Episode 2, Maria Hinojosa, executive producer of Latino USA and creator of Futuro Media Group

3.“We[journalists] have been trained out of our humanity. When you are trained out of your humanity, you can’t see that you are taking a piece of someone’s respect and dignity by ‘objectifying’ them.” –Episode 4, Manolia Charlotin, Co-founder of PressOn

Martin G. Reynolds in conversation with Maria Hinojosa

Mic drops on shifting the power structures

4.“Journalists need to hold powerful people accountable–the powerful people within our own journalism institutions.” –Episode 4, Lewis Raven Wallace, Co-founder of PressOn

5.“Newsrooms today don’t reflect our communities, they reflect power.”
-Episode 1, Nikole Hannah-Jones, reporter for The New York Times Magazine and creator of the 1619 Project

6.“Radical imagination is something that exists and that is alive and breathing as a practice in marginalized and oppressed communities, and the way they are going about change is to reimagine the systems they are impacted by.” –Episode 4, Manolia Charlotin, Co-founder of PressOn

Mic drops on catering to white audiences

7.“We’re seeking the white audience by not telling the truth about racism, and black people are going, ‘What is this nonsense?’” –Episode 3, Wesley Lowery, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author and correspondent for CBS News

8.“The critic’s job is to help people understand what questions they should be asking; how to use food and restaurants to start a larger social conversation.” –Episode 5, Soleil Ho, Restaurant critic for the San Francisco Chronicle

9.“We [journalists] cannot compromise our values of truth and fairness to seek the validation of bad faith actors.” –Episode 3, Wesley Lowery, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author and correspondent for CBS News

Martin G. Reynolds in conversation with Wesley Lowery.

Mic drops on finding belonging in the newsroom

10.“The sense of feeling you belong will make you a better journalist.” –Episode 2, Maria Hinojosa, executive producer of Latino USA and creator of Futuro Media Group

11.“The 1619 Project would not exist if I was not being treated as if I belonged in the newsroom. You have to treat me as an equal who is worth investing in.”
-Episode 1, Nikole Hannah-Jones, reporter for The New York Times Magazine and creator of the 1619 Project

12.“Hip hop taught me everything–it led me to writing about the fine arts, it led me to covering President Obama, and it led me to writing about resegregation. Hip hop’s the glasses I wear–I see everything through it.” –Episode 6, Jeff Chang, author, journalist and a senior advisor at Race Forward

Belonging in the News with Versha Sharma

In the April 2022 episode of Belonging in the News, co-executive director of the Maynard Institute Martin Reynolds, discussed belonging with award winning-journalist and the current editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, Versha Sharma. Teen Vogue, a web-only Condé Nast publication, pivoted to become a strong voice on social justice issues in recent years. The discussion explored:

• having a sense of agency in the newsroom
• belonging as a journalist of color while reporting for a major US publication
• what feels like to be a “first” and Versha’s experience as first South Asian American woman to helm Teen Vogue

The event is one hour. The last 15 minutes was open for audience questions as part of a moderated, post-event party for members of the audience to flesh out any of the comments or themes from the live discussion. This post-event discussion was hosted by executive members of Vision25 in the chat on our Crowdcast livestream after the event ended. Watch the recording.

The Online News Association, OpenNews and the Maynard Institute have come together to create Vision25: Building Racial Equity in Newsrooms, a catalyst in a social change movement that seeks to build journalistic institutions where newsrooms are actively anti-racist and collaborative, and journalists of color feel like they truly belong. Learn more here.

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.