Professional Development

Maynard 200 is the cornerstone program advancing the Maynard Institute’s efforts to expand the diversity pipeline in news media and dismantle structural racism in its newsrooms. Since 2018, the Maynard Institute has trained over 90 media leaders, storytellers, and entrepreneurs through the fellowship program. In 2022, the program includes exciting updates such as an expanded cohort size, new curriculum track for frontline editors and managers, as well as the return to in-person sessions for two weeks, in late June and late October. Maynard 200 fellows will meet for the first in-person training sessions on June 27th at University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism, in Los Angeles, California. COVID-19 safety protocols will be required as detailed below in the FAQs section.

Applications for the 2022 fellowship are now closed.

Program Overview

About Maynard 200

The Maynard 200 fellowship provides professional development training and year-long mentorship for leaders, storytellers, frontline editors, and media entrepreneurs of diverse backgrounds via the expertise of a distinguished faculty across relevant disciplines. Fellows benefit from cutting-edge curricula designed and delivered by industry leaders. Plus, each fellow gains one-to-one mentorship from a veteran media executive or expert that aligns with their relevant discipline.

Maynard 200 has been a tuition-free fellowship program through the support of our funders: Google News Initiative, Craig Newmark Philanthropies, The Hearthland Foundation and The McClatchy Foundation. The Fox Corporation is a confirmed sponsor for the 2022 program. Airfare and lodging expenses for in-person covenings are also paid for through the program at no cost to U.S.-based fellows.

In 2022, the Maynard 200 Fellowship will be expanded to 50 fellows across the following curriculum tracks:

• 15 investigative storytellers
• 15 frontline editors and managers
• 10 executive leaders
• 10 media entrepreneurs

The program supports and emboldens the next generation of 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.

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New Track: Frontline Editors and Managers

Maynard 200 expands to add a fourth track for Frontline Editors and Managers

In 2022, the Maynard 200 program is expanding to add a fourth track designed for mid-level editors and managers. It will provide training for:

• New 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.

Some key sessions to be offered in the 2022 curriculum will include these or similar themes:

• Success in Management
• Resilient Leadership
• Building Strong Teams
• Effective Transition Strategies for New Editors
• Difficult Conversations
• Hands-on Editing workshops including Effective Coaching and Critiques
• Newsroom Dynamics: How to Cope when You’re the Lone Person of Color in the Room

Read more about the new curriculum track and its executive-in-residence, John X. Miller. Visit our blog to learn about Maynard 200’s other executives-in-residence Dickson Louie for media entrepreneurship, Virgil Smith for executive leadership and Aaron Glantz for investigative storytelling.

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Applications are now closed. The Maynard 200 application deadline was March 28, 2022. We understand the extreme demands of the news cycle on the journalism community at this time. Due to multiple requests from news agencies on behalf of their staff, we extended the deadline to March 28th by 11:59pm PDT.

Applicants can select their preferred track and provide an updated resume, work samples, references, and more. Applications are now closed. Eligible applicants will be contacted during the selection process with more details in April.

Applicants living outside the United States need to be affiliated with or contributing content to a U.S.- based media outlet or organization.

Maynard Institute programs are open to all. We are committed to addressing the under-representation of people of color and other historically disadvantaged groups in media-related professions, and so we make special efforts to recruit individuals from these groups for our programs.

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Dates and Location

Convening in person again in 2022!

The 2022 program is slated to be held in person for both training weeks. After pivoting to a fully virtual program in 2021 for the health and safety of program participants due to COVID-19, the Maynard 200 program will return to in-person training sessions hosted by long-standing partner, University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism, in Los Angeles, California.

Note: the training dates and meeting location are subject to change due to potential COVID-19 variant surges. The Maynard Institute will adapt to pandemic developments to protect the health of all participants. If necessary, the program sessions may pivot from in-person to virtual sessions. Whether in-person or virtual, Maynard 200 fellows are required to attend both weeks of training sessions, as well as fulfill all program components, in order to graduate from the program.

Meeting Dates

• First Training Sessions: June 27 - July 1
• Second Training Sessions: October 24 - October 28

Travel Subsidy

Flights and hotel accommodations for fellows will be paid for by the Maynard Institute. Fellows will also be provided a small, flat-rate stipend for ground transportation costs. For fellows based outside of the United States, travel allocations will be capped. However, we will make every effort to minimize costs for international fellows.

COVID-19 Protocols

The M200 Fellowship will follow all pandemic protocols required by our host venue, and adhere to local and federal public health guidelines.

If there are any participants who cannot meet pandemic public health requirements due to medical or religious reasons, participating virtually for in-person training rounds may be an option.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the curriculum tracks of Maynard 200?

Curriculum tracks are areas of emphasis for training. Participants must choose one track group that they believe best fits their current work experience and the growth they seek in their field. Fellows of each track will attend sessions designed to help them succeed in that area of focus.

The plenary sessions are relevant to all four tracks and will be attended by the entire cohort. Some example topics include imposter syndrome, strengths assessments, as well as key concepts from the Maynard Institute’s patented DEI and Belonging framework Fault Lines®.

Track descriptions:

• Investigative storytelling will focus on investigative reporting and great storytelling. We will explore the anatomy of an investigative project, how to hold an accountability interview, find information and how to file effective requests for documents, as well as other investigative techniques. We’ll also step back and conduct sessions that reconnect you with your inner storyteller. Aaron Glantz, Peabody award-winning journalist and Senior Investigations Editor for The California Newsrooms is the track executive-in-residence.
• Media Entrepreneurship will provide training for individuals on how to build sustainable media-related businesses, by being able to think more critically and creatively. We’ll be focusing on the following: How to pitch your idea; how to put together a business plan; how to raise funds; how to put together a team; and how to pivot to Plan B. Dickson Louie, media entrepreneur and Principal at Louie & Associates is the track executive-in-residence.
• Executive Leadership will provide media/newsroom leaders with assessments of their leadership and management style, and offer successful approaches for advancing their leadership skills and acumen. We will focus on leadership competencies, developing an organizational strategic direction, a review of financials, managing and understanding the numbers, and human capital strategies. Virgil Smith, Principal at Smith Edwards Group LLC is the track executive-in-residence.
• Frontline Editors & Managers - this new track will provide training for new editors, including assigning editors both print and online; for assignment editors and executive producers in broadcast who supervise either in-house reporters, writers, and producers or freelancers or both. It is also geared for mid-level managers who may or may not have direct reports, but hold strategic leadership or communications roles in their newsrooms or media organizations. We will tackle the following topics or similar themes: Success in Management; Resilient Leadership; Building Strong Teams; Difficult Conversations; Effective Transition Strategies for New Editors and Managers; Hands-on Editing workshops including Effective Coaching and Critiques; and, Newsroom Dynamics: How to Cope when You’re the Lone Person of Color in the Room. John X. Miller, Managing Editor at The Undefeated, is the track executive-in-residence.

Can an applicant choose more than one track?

No. However, the Maynard 200 executive committee including the track executives-in-residence may recommend a track potentially more suited to the applicant, either during or after the interview. We’ll make sure you’re in the track best fit for you!

Do I need prior experience in the track to apply?

Not necessarily. Applicants who do not have prior experience in their chosen track are still eligible if they are aspiring towards a career path related to that track.

Who is eligible to apply?

We are inviting storytellers/reporters/writers interested in expanding their investigative reporting skills; newsroom leaders interested in ascending to C-suite roles; media entrepreneurs with a venture already in operation or with an initial business plan drafted; and starting editors/ new or mid-level managers.

Maynard Institute programs are open to all. We are committed to addressing the under-representation of people of color and other historically disadvantaged groups in media-related professions, and so we make special efforts to recruit individuals from these groups for our programs.

Can media professionals based outside the United States apply?

Yes, however, applicants living outside the United States need to be affiliated with or contributing content to a U.S.- based media outlet or organization.

How does one apply?

Applications are now closed. A completed online application includes:

• Resume
• 750-1,000 word essay universal to all applicants
• Track-specific short essays
• Work samples and/or relevant materials
• Two references with contact information (reference letters are appreciated, but are not required)

What is the time commitment for and required program components to graduate from the program?

Fellows are required to attend two training weeks (approximately 4 days each) in person during the weeks of June 27 and October 24. Currently, both training weeks are slated to be held in-person, however the sessions may shift to virtual via Zoom if required by new COVID-19 variant surge restrictions.

There are also 3 to 5 additional 1-hour webinars from July through September that provide additional curriculum enrichment, alongside track-specific follow-up readings and/or assignments. Fellows may also benefit from one-on-one “office hours” and coaching sessions via Zoom with track executives-in-residence or faculty members.

Then, fellows also commit to participate fully in the one-to-one mentorship that kicks off at the October session and continues for a full year.

Do fellows need to pay for tuition or travel expenses?

No, Maynard 200 continues to be tuition-free through the support of our funders.

For in-person training sessions, the Maynard Institute will arrange and pay for all travel expenses for fellows including airfare and hotel accommodations. Plus, a small, flat-rate stipend for ground transportation costs during the training week.

For fellows based outside of the United States, travel allocations will be capped. However, we will make every effort to minimize extra expenditure for international fellows.

Where will the training be held?

The 2022 program is slated to be held in person. The first training round will be hosted by our long-standing partner, the USC Annenberg School of Journalism and Communication in Los Angeles, California. The second training week in end-October is also slated to be held in-person, with the location to be confirmed at this time.

Note: the format of the training weeks may shift to a virtual program due to COVID-19 developments and public health protocols, specifically if a pandemic variant surge occurs.

What are the COVID-19 safety protocols for the in-person training sessions?

To ensure the health and safety of all Maynard 200 participants, the Maynard Institute will maintain a high standard of precaution as detailed below. With regard to the first training week of June 27 to be held in person at USC Annenberg School of Journalism and Communication in Los Angeles, the Maynard 200 current COVID-19 protocols include:

• Program participants attending the training week in person will be required to be fully vaccinated, which means having received both doses and a booster within the recommended timeline.
• Proof of vaccination required at any gate entry; alongside the completed daily
• Trojan Check online screening system (web questionnaire)
• Masks are mandated in all indoor facilities/sites. Masks must be medical grade in the categories of N95, KN95, or KF94.
• For overall reference, see: https://coronavirus.usc.edu
• Note: Protocols may change over time. Check back for updates on this website.

Does the program offer an all-virtual option?

No. In 2022, Maynard 200 is shifting back to in-person convenings. If a training week is held in person, a full online program will not be offered. However, the Maynard Institute will follow all COVID-19 safety protocols of the host venue as well as federal and local public health guidelines. A training round may shift to a virtual format if required due to pandemic variant surges.

In the rare case for selected fellows who have a medical or religious exemption, or may have a sudden extenuating emergency situation that prevents them from attending in person, a limited virtual offering of key parts of the program will be available, but the experience would not be ideal.

What is the mentorship process?

The year-long 1:1 mentorship phase of the fellowship will match fellows with a relevant industry expert, many of whom are Maynard Institute alumni. Fellows are matched with mentors on the last day of the second training round in October. Fellows will meet or consult with their mentors at least once a month. Mentors will provide valuable guidance, coaching and expertise throughout the 12-month period.

Through the years, the mentorship phase has proven to be a key contributor to the advancement of fellows in their positions or entrepreneurial ventures. Many Maynard 200 graduates have either been promoted to C-suite positions, hired in new roles or secured grants/funds for their media start-ups, through the expertise and connections provided by their mentors, aside from the overall Maynard 200 curriculum and allyship of their fellow cohort members and the Maynard Family.

When will I hear back about my submitted application?

Screening begins after the application deadline through March and early-April. Interviews with finalists are slated for mid-to-late-April with final selection and announcement of the cohort selection by early May.

FAQ Webinar

On Thursday, February 24, 2022, Maynard 200 Program Director, Odette Alcazaren-Keeley and alumni guest speakers came together for an “Ask Me Anything” webinar discussion exploring the frequently asked questions about the fellowship program. The webinar provides a program overview plus guest speakers advice on how to submit a successful application and get the most out of the fellowship. Watch the Zoom recording on demand (Passcode: 81%PueT1).

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Questions?