Meet the Fire Up Fellows

The Fire Up Entrepreneur Program, as part of the Propel Initiative, is training eight news organizations in revenue, audience, product and community with a focus on ensuring sustainability. Participants will work with experts in business, audience strategy and other topics.

The inaugural cohort of Fire Up Fellows represent the power and potential of diverse news in the State of California. Covering various beats, ethnic communities, geographical areas and language groups, the Fellows are using the program as an opportunity to expand their reach, create lasting sustainability and deepen their coverage to better serve their audiences.

Katherine Ann Rowlands, Executive Director and Founder, Bay City News Foundation

Rowlands is a longtime champion of local journalism. Bay City News, a regional news service she bought in 2018, has expanded to cover 13 counties, supplying trustworthy, original journalism for the media ecosystem, from TV and radio to newspapers to start-up digital outlets in the greater Bay Area. Its nonprofit affiliate, which publishes free content at LocalNewsMatters.org, has trained 60 paid interns, adopted transformative technology and published thousands of stories that would otherwise not be told.

Through Fire Up, Rowlands will develop Bay City News Labs to examine how to track bot traffic at the Cloudflare or WordPress plugin level to quantify and audit how intellectual property is being utilized by AI companies. What Bay City News learns could lead to revenue, block exploitation or monetize assets with the right partners. The takeaways will be shared publicly with the news ecosystem.

Lauren Mapp, Co-Founder/Journalist, Daylight San Diego

Mapp (she/her/akaónha) is a Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk). She is a Daylight San Diego co-founder and journalist who has covered Indigenous communities, caregiving, senior care, social justice, art, music, travel, food and culinary traditions since 2005. Prior to Daylight, she worked for The San Diego Union-Tribune, inewsource, Times of San Diego, North Coast Current, Indian Time and The People’s Voice. She was the outstanding graduate for the School of Journalism and Media Studies at San Diego State University in 2019.

Daylight San Diego’s audience increasingly relies on social media and alternative formats for news. Through Fire Up, Daylight San Diego seeks to revamp its newsletter ecosystem to increase engagement, grow sponsorship revenue and strengthen sustainability. By January 2027, Daylight aims to reduce video skip rates, achieve consistent engagement and generate 10 percent of organizational revenue through newsletter-related sponsorships and ads.

Priya Lava, Operations, India Currents

Lava has developed expertise in digital publishing, audience growth and revenue strategy through programs with Google News Initiative, LION Publishers and Newspack. She completed three years of training with Dan Oshinsky on newsletter growth and engagement. At India Currents, she manages communications and operations related to advertising sales and plays an active role in website development and digital transformation initiatives.

India Currents will launch Rooted in Care, a podcast connecting South Asian immigrants to trusted resources on aging, women’s health, mental health and civic engagement. Featuring experts, community leaders and service providers. The podcast will offer practical, culturally relevant guidance while leveraging partnerships with agencies and nonprofits to expand community reach.

Héctor Félix Jr., Publisher, El Informador

From a young age, Félix immersed himself in all aspects of the family business, El Informador del Valle. As a teenager, he gained hands-on experience in newspaper sales, reporting, photography, videography, graphic design and weekly distribution. His early involvement laid the foundation for his leadership and continued commitment to community journalism.

El Informador will do research within the community and with potential sponsors to determine the best ways to heighten ad visibility. These experiments will provide a way for El Informador del Valle to continue to uplift important stories without succumbing to outdated business models.

Carlos Hernandez, Editor, El Latino Central Coast

Hernandez is an award-winning journalist, editor and publisher with extensive experience in Spanish-language and bilingual media on the East and West coasts. He is the editor and publisher of El Latino Central Coast Newspaper, a trusted bilingual outlet serving Latino and immigrant communities across Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Hernandez is committed to strengthening bilingual journalism and expanding El Latino’s role as a bridge between the local society and the Latino community.

El Latino’s “Digital Forward” project pushes its editors beyond reliance on print ads. With new revenue opportunities, the outlet continue to serve Central Coast bilingual communities for free. We’ll expand service journalism for immigrants, especially around health, immigration, education and civic information while building long-term sponsorship and digital engagement strategies.

Rob Waters, Editor, MindSite News

As MindSite News launches its Bay Area bureau, Waters returns to his roots in Bay Area community journalism. In the 1980s, he was editor of the Tenderloin Times, which reported extensively on mental health. His journey since has largely focused on covering health and mental health through a social justice lens.

The Bay Area has no dedicated mental health news outlet, and MindSite can fill this gap while boosting its sustainability by opening new revenue streams. To ensure the coverage reaches communities most in need, MindSite will tap into established relationships with community-based service and advocacy organizations.

Faisal Karimi, Founder/Director, Nowruz Media

Karimi is a senior journalist, journalism educator and media entrepreneur with more than two decades of experience. He is the founder and director of Nowruz Media, a multilingual California-based community newsroom serving Afghan immigrants, and he founded the Afghanistan Institute for Research and Media Studies. He is an alumnus of the John S. Knight Journalism Fellowship at Stanford University and currently teaches journalism at Sacramento State University.

Nowruz Media will develop the Nowruz Community Hub, a multilingual resource desk for Afghan immigrants in California. Through Farsi/Dari, Pashto and English explainers, guides, WhatsApp, newsletters and community listening, Nowruz provide trusted information to drive civic engagement and increase public safety while building a stronger audience and revenue model.

James Luckey Jr., Publisher, Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California

Luckey is the editor of Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, a Black press institution founded in 1977 that serves Bakersfield, Los Angeles and the San Joaquin Valley. Born and raised in Bakersfield, Luckey grew up inside the newsroom under the founding family’s mentorship before stepping into leadership. A Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce honoree, he is modernizing the organization’s digital presence while preserving its century-long commitment to Black community journalism.

Black community stories are buried by algorithms and missed by legacy outlets, so Observer Group Newspapers is launching News Observed, a mobile platform to let Black Southern Californians submit reports on their own neighborhoods. Observer Group will create a pipeline with editorial oversight and plan to publish at least 50 community-contributed stories before January 2027.

The Maynard Institute announces inaugural Fire Up Entrepreneurship cohort

The Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education is proud to announce the inaugural cohort for the Fire Up Entrepreneurship Program, which starts this month in Oakland. 

The cohort consists of eight California-serving newsrooms. Each will receive seven months of training in revenue, audience, product and community plus mentorship on their proposed project and a $20,000 grant. Project ideas range from surfacing untold Black stories to ensuring free bilingual news in the Central Coast to mitigating AI threats to audience traffic.

Fire Up is part of the Propel Initiative to strengthen California’s multi-lingual media ecosystem, ensuring long-term sustainability of local public service journalism for underserved localities. 

The eight cohort news organizations are Bay City News Foundation, Daylight San Diego, India Currents, El Informador del Valle, El Latino Central Coast, MindSite News, Nowruz Media and Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California. 

The first cohort will convene July 29 in Oakland, California for the program’s orientation and kickoff.

Meet the first Fire Up cohort

Bay City News Foundation is working to mitigate the threat of AI technology undercutting audience traffic. 

Daylight San Diego will build on its local journalism startup presence and grow audience through alternative news formats.

India Currents is expanding its reach as a vital civic connector through a podcast for South Asian immigrants to be shared by strategic partners. 

El Informador del Valle will experiment with different ways to attract advertisers in a community that relies on print, using the Fire Up program to identify successful and sustainable approaches. 

El Latino Central Coast will reinforce the importance of free bilingual news as a bridge to Central Coast immigrants while growing its digital presence.

MindSite News seeks to broaden Bay Area reporting into the under-covered topic of navigating mental health disparities.

Nowruz Media will create a multilingual resource hub for Afghan immigrants in California, the U.S. state with the largest Afghan diaspora population. 

Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California plans to surface untold Black stories through a community platform to reach and expand Black audiences. 

For detailed information about the proposed projects as well as the Fire Up Fellows, click here.

Where are Fire Up newsrooms?

Fire Up is made possible by a budget allocation from the State of California and is part of the Propel Initiative to support local news, with the goal of safeguarding democracy and encouraging civic engagement by giving all citizens access to quality journalism. The journalism organizations in this cohort serve audiences statewide, including 26 bipartisan Assembly districts and 12 bipartisan Senate districts. 

The newsrooms cover and are based in these Assembly districts: 

• 5, Joe Patterson (R). 
• 6, Maggy Krell (D). 
• 7, Josh Hoover (R). 
• 12, Damon Connolly (D). 
• 13, Rhodesia Ransom (D). 
• 14, Buffy Wicks (D). 
• 15, Anamarie Ávila Farías (D). 
• 18, Mia Bonta (D). 
• 19, Catherine Stefani (D). 
• 21, Diane Papan (D). 
• 25, Ash Kalra (D). 
• 27, Esmeralda Z. Soria (D). 
• 32, Stan Ellis (R).
• 36, Jeff Gonzalez (R). 
• 37, Gregg Hart (D). 
• 38, Steve Bennett (D). 
• 39, Juan Carrillo (D).
• 42, Jacqui Irwin (D). 
• 47, Greg Wallis (R). 
• 74, Laurie Davies (R).
• 75, Carl DeMaio (R). 
• 76, Dr. Darshana R. Patel (D). 
• 77, Tasha Boerner (D). 
• 78, Christopher M. Ward (D). 
• 79, Dr. La Shae Sharp-Collins (D). 
• 80, David A. Alvarez (D). 

The newsrooms cover and are based in these state Senate districts: 

• 6, Roger Niello (R).
• 7, Jesse Arreguín (D).
• 12, Shannon Grove (R).
• 15, Dave Cortese (D).
• 18, Steve Padilla (D). 
• 19, Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh (R).
• 21, Monique Limón (D).
• 27, Henry Stern (D).
• 32, Kelly Seyarto (R).
• 38, Catherine S. Blakespear (D). 
• 39, Akilah Weber Pierson (D).
• 40, Brian W. Jones (R).

California invests in local journalism, leads national model

By Andrea Lampros, Communications Director, UC Berkeley Journalism. Originally published by UC Berkeley Journalism.

California is reinforcing its role as the national leader in rebuilding local journalism, approving a $15-million investment in reporting and editing fellowships and newsroom leadership training and sustainability initiatives in the state budget signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom last week.

This funding supports the UC Berkeley Journalism-based California Local News Fellowship— the nation’s largest publicly funded journalism initiative — and the Maynard Institute’sPropel Initiative, a groundbreaking leadership and newsroom sustainability effort led in collaboration with American Community Media, California Black Media and Latino Media Collaborative.

The budget also includes $10 million for the Civic Media Program, funded by the state, which will be matched by a minimum $10-million contribution by Google.

“California has long led the nation in creating opportunity for its millions of residents. This model of funding independent local journalism and newsroom sustainability is yet another way California is showing leadership, especially at a time when the dark clouds of authoritarianism and the scourge of disinformation are threatening to undermine freedom of the press,” said Michael D. Bolden, dean of UC Berkeley Journalism. “Lawmakers have shown a steadfast commitment to local transparency and accountability and to democracy itself. They realize that the public good requires a resolute investment in trustworthy news and information.”

The California Local News Fellowship and Propel Initiative together provide a national model at a time of crisis for journalism, a period marked by an unprecedented rise in news desertsand the plunging number of local journalists per capita.

“California’s lawmakers have again recognized that everything we care about in our local communities — from affordable housing to excellent education to safeguarding the environment — is enabled by robust local journalism,” said former state Sen. Steve Glazer who championed the local news fellowship with $25 million in state funding in 2022.

Glazer retired from the Senate in 2024 but has continued to be deeply engaged in supporting renewed funding for local journalism.

This year, legislative leadership for the state’s investment was provided by Senate President Pro Tempore Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara), Sens. Ben Allen (D-Santa Monica), Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas), Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield), John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas), Assemblymembers David Alvarez(D-San Diego), Marc Berman (D-Menlo Park), Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) and Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City). Many other legislators stepped up to support the funding.

The California Local News Fellowship program led by journalist Monica Campbell has nearly 70 early-career reporting fellows currently serving communities from Shasta County to the Inland Empire. To date, 110 fellows have produced more than 10,000 stories to help keep Californians informed about important issues, such as immigration, housing, education, and more. The latest funding ensures that fellows will serve California communities through 2029.

Fellows and partner newsrooms are independent, competitively selected and based in counties that currently account for approximately 90 percent of California’s population. State funding has supported four cohorts of full-time, two-year reporting fellows, editing fellowships and new health reporting fellowships, which also receive support from the California Health Care Foundation.

The Propel Initiative complements the California Local News Fellowship by helping community and ethnic media organizations become stronger, more resilient and financially sustainable. Led by the Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education in partnership with American Community Media, California Black Media and Latino Media Collaborative, Propel invests in the organizations that collectively serve more than 20 million Californians with trusted local news and information.

“This investment by lawmakers affirms a simple truth: Journalists, storytellers and news organizations serving California’s diverse communities must have the capacity to provide the trusted information people need to make informed decisions, hold institutions accountable and participate fully in civic life,” said Martin G. Reynolds, co-executive director of the Maynard Institute. “More than support for journalism, this is a commitment to ensuring every Californian — regardless of where they live or the language they speak — has access to trusted news and information.”

Through Propel, participating news organizations and media professionals receive training, technical assistance, and strategic support to strengthen editorial leadership, newsroom management, and storytelling through regional institutes, management development, and peer learning; build organizational capacity through technical assistance in audience engagement, business development, legal and journalism safety and operational best practices; create sustainable revenue through the Fire Up Entrepreneurship Program and the Community Media Marketplace, a first-of-its-kind statewide platform that helps community and ethnic media organizations compete collectively for major public and private advertising campaigns.

The 2026-2027 state funding will fund a fifth cohort of reporting and editing fellows, while continuing the Propel Initiative — extending California’s strategy to strengthen local journalism statewide.

Statements from partner organizations

American Community Media 

“This renewed investment is a vote of confidence in the vital role that ethnic and community media play in keeping California informed, connected and represented. We’re grateful for the continued Propel partnership and committed to building on the momentum it represents.” 

—Jaya Padmanabhan, Executive Director of American Community Media

“The tireless advocacy and coordinated effort of this coalition over the last several weeks showed lawmakers the true, undeniable power of the community press. This $15 million renewal is a crucial victory for information equity, ensuring our newsrooms can continue reporting on the ground where it matters most. Looking ahead, this isn’t just a budget win for today — it is a vital launchpad for building a sustainable, long-term ecosystem for ethnic media across California.”

—Julian Do, Co-Director of American Community Media 

California Black Media 

“This investment is a testament to the value California’s leaders place on the role local newsrooms and community advocates play in our civic life. I’m grateful to Governor Newsom, lawmakers, our coalition partners, and supporters across state government for fighting side by side with us to secure the funds necessary to strengthen California’s media infrastructure and keep trusted local information flowing to the people who need it most.” 

—Regina Brown Wilson, Executive Director of California Black Media

Latino Media Collaborative 

“Sustaining Latino and news media serving communities of color is a non-negotiable public infrastructure necessity. Alongside our partners at California Black Media, American Community Media, and the Maynard Institute, we extend our deepest thanks to Governor Newsom, Speaker Rivas, Pro Tem Limón, Senators Laird, Pérez, Hurtado, Glazer, Allen, and Assemblymembers Alvarez, Wicks and Wilson. This historic victory ensures that trusted newsrooms reflecting and serving California’s diverse population can continue their essential work.” 

— Arturo Carmona, President of the Latino Media Collaborative 

The Mirror Awards

Receiving the Lorraine Branham Award from The Syracuse University S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

On Tuesday, May 19, 2026 the Maynard Institute was honored to receive the Lorraine Branham Award from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications. Named for former Newhouse dean and Maynard alum Lorraine Branham, who attended the Summer Program for Minority Journalists in 1977 before the Institute received its first official name, the award “recognizes a media organization that has worked to promote inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility in the news media over the previous year.”

Maynard Institute Board Chair John X. Miller spoke at the awards, and later wrote on the experience of attending the ceremony and reception hosted by Syracuse University.

“It was my honor and privilege to represent the Maynard Institute and introduce Evelyn and Martin at the Mirror Awards, where they accepted the Lorraine Branham Award on behalf of the Institute,” Miller wrote after the awards ceremony.

“Being recognized on the national stage as an organization that continues the work of inclusion, equity and truth-based journalism acknowledges Maynard’s decades-long commitment to expand  the community of journalists who aspire to live up to the words and aspirations of Bob Maynard and the founders.

It was a milestone moment for Maynard. In my remarks as the award presenter, I lauded Martin and Eveyln’s stewardship, vision, leadership, adaptability and humanity as they help carry forward Maynard’s mission with urgency and purpose. 

As board chair, I am very appreciative of the recognition because it champions the Institute’s persistent work. I share congratulations with the staff and board, too, because the award acknowledges your dedication.

Thank you to the Newhouse School of Public Communications for the Lorraine Branham Award, presented at a fantastic event where NBC News’ Lester Holt was among the six honorees, as the recipient of the Fred Dressler Leadership Award.”

On legacy: Evelyn Hsu

On accepting the Lorraine Branham Award, Co-Executive Director Evelyn Hsu recalled founders Bob and Nancy Maynard, and Bob’s daughter and Institute President Dori J. Maynard.

“We stand on the shoulders of our founders, including Bob Maynard and Nancy Hicks Maynard,” Hsu said. “And we carry deep appreciation for the leadership of our former president, Dori Maynard, who left us far too soon just over a decade ago. I know Dori would have been proud to see the Institute receive an award named for Lorraine Branham, a Maynard graduate whose life and work reflected the power of this legacy.”

Hsu expounded on carrying forward the legacy of the founders, and the generational mantle carried forward by Maynard Institute faculty, staff, fellows and trainees.

“That work has never belonged to one person or one generation. It has been carried by mentors, trainers, editors, reporters, board members, funders and alumni who kept showing up because they believed journalism matters — and because they believed who gets to shape journalism matters, too.”

On the future of belonging: Martin G. Reynolds

Co-Executive Director Martin G. Reynolds spoke on past and future visions of belonging in news.

“Nearly 50 years ago, the founders of the Institute believed something simple and profound: the beacons of news in this country should reflect the full diversity of the nation. That mission has always mattered. But it meets this moment with particular urgency,” Marting G. Reynolds said, referencing recent attacks on diversity not only as a practice, but as an ideal and as a reality in America.

“…this honor feels like more than recognition. It is a deeply appreciated act of affirmation for our board, our staff, and especially our graduates, who remain the most powerful reflection of our legacy. Because this work has never been only about who is represented inside newsrooms. It is also about whether the people in our communities are seen fully, heard clearly, and understood for who they are.”

Reynolds hit on the most desired outcome of representation in news: true belonging and investment in communities, and investment in the belonging of each individual within the collective.

“Our hope is that our shared humanity will prevail — and that corrosive attempts to divide us will be met by stories that reveal the beauty, complexity and authenticity of the person beside you.

They do belong. And you belong. Because we belong.”

For Maynard Regional Training faculty and participants, journalism leadership is “more than a profession”

by Alice Finno, Maynard Institute reporting intern

This post contains promotional material for the Maynard Regional Training Series in Chicago.

The Maynard Institute will host a free training for entry- and mid-level editors and managers in Chicago, Illinois, on June 4 through 5, as part of its regional training series.

In partnership with Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media and Integrated Marketing Communications, the training will provide coaching and mentoring to help editors and managers working in print, broadcast and digital platforms navigate the complexities of newsroom leadership. Northwestern will cover the standard registration fee on behalf of registrants. Two meals will be provided each day, and limited discounted hotel rooms will be available.

Anyone from the Chicago regional area is invited to attend the training. Registration is open until Tuesday, May 26. Anyone with questions can contact Maynard Regional Training Series Director Odette Alcazaren-Keeley. 

Award-winning journalists and Medill professors will lead workshops and discussions together with Maynard Institute faculty.

Empathy

Martin Reynolds, co-executive director at the Maynard Institute, said that people often start managerial positions without receiving any training, especially when transitioning from a reporter role to a manager or editor position. 

However, Reynolds said, only one in ten people have the skills to be a successful manager, according to Gallup, a research and polling organization. During the Chicago training, Reynolds will hold a session about “The Manager’s Mindset” and core aspects of leadership roles, including authority, influence and empathy.  

“Having empathy and compassion for your people is really one of the elements that I think is essential,” Reynolds said. “If you don’t have that, it’s very difficult to be an effective manager, a good manager, where your colleagues will thrive under your leadership.”

Integrity

Mei-Ling Hopgood, journalism professor at Northwestern, will hold a session on using AI with integrity, where participants will discuss newsrooms’ standards and practices when using large language models, such as ChatGPT and Gemini.

“They’re going to be part of newsrooms, they’re going to be part of our workflow, but to be able to say aloud  — or to have in writing  — this is my philosophy, these are the values that are guiding my use, is very important,” Hopgood said, adding that she hopes people will leave the session having a sense of the guiding principles they want to follow when using AI.

Complexity

Deborah Douglas, director of the Medill Solutions Journalism Hub, will hold a session called “Complicating the Narrative,” where she will teach people a deep listening technique used in interviewing developed by journalist Amanda Ripley, who currently partners with Maynard alum Hélène Biandudi Hoffer at Good Conflict, guiding and facilitating communication by reimagining conflict “to help people listen and be heard in times of profound disagreement.”

“In a time of deep polarization and shrinking trust, I want to introduce a deep listening technique that models deep listening so that people feel heard and so that they feel safe enough to open up and give us the real answer, not just the surface level answers that people tend to give,” she said.

Trust

At the training, Mackenzie Warren, interim executive director of the Medill Local News Initiative, will also present the findings of a study about how Chicago gets its news. The researchers surveyed 1,101 adults in the Chicago metropolitan area and examined consumer behavior, obtaining insights about audiences’ evolving habits and interests.

Warren said the survey focused on 14 counties and included urban, suburban and rural communities in proportions roughly mirroring the United States’ population while also taking race, class and socio-economic status into account to have a representative index. 

“I feel somewhat confident in using it as a directional information about how the United States as a whole is getting local news,” he added.

Warren also shared that the Medill Local News Initiative is designed to help the local news ecosystem thrive and highlighted the correlation between positive performance in local news and in democratic norms. 

“Without trusted local journalism, it’s not as possible for ordinary people to make good decisions in their lives,” he said.

Perspective

Doris Truong, deputy director of the Fire Up Entrepreneurship Program at the Maynard Institute, will lead a session on listening and identifying personal values. Truong will talk about interviewing people you disagree with without expressing judgement. 

“When you’re talking to sources, it’s really important for them to understand that you’re just trying to understand them, not trying to change their minds,” she said. “You may end up having to interview somebody that you can say ‘I don’t agree with this, but I really want to help my audience understand your perspective.’”

Felecia Henderson, senior director of strategic initiatives at the Maynard Institute, will hold a session about navigating difficult conversations, providing useful steps managers can follow and then role-playing scenarios.

“When you’re a manager, you really have to find a way to strike the right tone, the right setting, the right approach. And a lot of people don’t know what that is,” Henderson said.

Henderson added that when people finish a regional training, they become part of the Maynard Communities of Practice, a program that connects people working in the same field and provides continuous training across different curriculum tracks.

Community

Odette Alcazaren-Keeley, director of the Maynard Regional Training and Communities of Practice Programs, shared that the training will include a roundtable with news leaders from the region to talk about the state of the media in the region.

Alcazaren-Keeley said what participants always appreciate about the programs is sharing the room with other journalists who face the same challenges and be able to learn from each other. 

“What we hope is that when they leave, they feel they are not alone, that they have us, and they have each other, and they grow the community with us: they become part of the Maynard family that endures,” she said.

Jasmine Barnes, program manager at the Maynard Institute, said she enjoys creating the vision for a Maynard training and thinking about all the details that will enhance the participants’ experience.

“I’m really hoping that the Chicago training can be a really good opportunity for Northwestern’s network and broader community, as well as some Maynard alumni and some folks who haven’t really been involved with either of those institutions to meet and to really talk about the region and the unique challenges and opportunities that are present in Chicago,” she said.

Calling

Mackenzie Warren expressed his excitement for having frontline editors and leaders in journalism come together for the training. 

“There’s going be a room full of people who have signed on to this mission and dedicated themselves to this profession that’s more than a profession, it’s a calling,” Warren said.

“Our contributions to journalism will outlast ourselves if we do it right — I’m really encouraged that there’s a room full of people, the next generation of people, who see themselves that way and see this as not just their job, but their mission, and are invested in themselves to get better at their craft.”

The Business Case for DEIB Training in Journalism

By Celeste Barker Bright for Nonprofit Megaphone

In an era when public trust in news is both more fragile and more essential than ever, how stories are told matters just as much as the stories themselves. For journalism employers, investing in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) training is a powerful way to strengthen reporting, build audience trust, and create newsrooms where every voice contributes to more accurate and impactful storytelling. 

What DEI Training Means and Why Belonging Matters

Diversity, equity, and inclusion training, or DEI training, helps organizations build workplaces where people of all identities and backgrounds are fairly represented, treated, and supported in contributing fully. DEI training programs focus on improving awareness around the experiences of nonwhite and noncisgender male workers. This helps to reduce both conscious and unconscious bias and create systems that ensure equitable access to workplace opportunities and resources.

Many organizations now emphasize DEIB, which adds a critical fourth pillar of social equity: belonging. Belonging goes beyond representation and fairness. It reflects whether employees actually feel accepted, valued, and psychologically safe enough to contribute authentically. Without belonging, even diverse and equitable workplaces may struggle with disengagement or high turnover when employees don’t truly feel included.

In other words, DEI creates access and opportunity, while belonging ensures people feel connected and empowered once they are there. For news media organizations and the American public media as a whole, where storytelling depends on authentic voices and perspectives, that distinction is especially important.

The Real-World Benefits of DEIB Training for Media Employers

DEIB training isn’t just a nice-to-have workplace initiative. Diversity in the media directly influences the quality, accuracy, and impact of reporting. Research and industry guidance consistently show that inclusive representation in media outlets produces stronger journalism and more sustainable organizations.

Stronger, More Accurate Reporting

A diverse and inclusive newsroom is better equipped to cover stories that concern all American communities and the challenges they face. When journalists reflect a broader range of lived experiences, coverage becomes more representative and less likely to overlook or misinterpret marginalized perspectives.

Inclusive practices help journalists ask better questions, build trust with sources, and avoid harmful stereotypes. DEIB training equips staff with the tools to recognize bias in sourcing, framing, and language, leading to more accurate and nuanced reporting.

Increased Audience Trust and Engagement

Trust is a core currency in journalism, and DEIB training plays a significant role in strengthening it. When audiences see themselves reflected fairly in coverage, they are more likely to engage with and trust a news outlet. That translates to positive company reputations and ratings in very real ways.

Inclusive journalism fosters stronger relationships with communities, particularly those historically underrepresented or misrepresented in media. By improving cultural competency and awareness, DEIB training helps newsrooms build credibility and deepen audience connections.

More Innovative and Resilient Newsrooms

Organizations that invest in DEIB often benefit from greater creativity and innovation. Forbes explains that diverse teams bring a wider range of ideas, perspectives, and problem-solving approaches, which can lead to better decision-making and more innovative content strategies.

In the fast-changing media landscape, adaptability is essential. DEIB training encourages open dialogue, collaboration, and inclusive leadership practices that help teams respond more effectively to new challenges and opportunities.

Improved Employee Engagement and Retention

Employees who feel valued and included are more likely to stay and contribute at a high level. DEIB-focused environments improve morale, job satisfaction, and overall performance.

For journalism employers, this translates into lower turnover and a more stable workforce. Given the demanding nature of newsroom work, fostering a sense of belonging can help prevent burnout and ensure that talented journalists remain engaged and committed.

Reduced Bias and Ethical Risk

Bias in journalism can lead not only to misinformation but also to reputational damage and loss of public trust. DEIB training helps staff identify unconscious biases and understand how they may influence reporting decisions. Structured DEI workshops provide practical tools for addressing bias, improving communication, and fostering accountability. This is especially important in journalism, where ethical standards require fairness, accuracy, and sensitivity.

Stronger Leadership and Organizational Culture

DEIB training also shapes leadership practices. Inclusive leaders are better equipped to manage diverse teams, support equitable advancement, and create transparent decision-making processes. Organizations that prioritize DEIB develop healthier workplace cultures characterized by trust, collaboration, and shared purpose. In newsrooms, this can lead to stronger editorial alignment and a more cohesive mission.

Why News Organizations Should Partner With DEIB Training Experts

While internal efforts are valuable, many news organizations stand to gain the most from working with third-party DEIB specialists who bring expertise, structure, and objectivity to the process.

Specialized Industry Expertise

Organizations such as the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education provide tailored training specifically designed for media professionals. Their programs address the unique challenges of journalism, such as inclusive sourcing, equitable storytelling, and newsroom culture. External partners bring proven frameworks and up-to-date best practices that may not exist internally. 

Objective Assessment and Accountability

Third-party consultants can offer an unbiased perspective on workplace culture and practices. External experts can identify gaps, measure progress, and recommend data-driven strategies for improvement. This objectivity is particularly valuable in journalism organizations, where internal dynamics and hierarchies may make it difficult to address sensitive issues openly.

Customized, Scalable Training Programs

External partners can design training programs that align with an organization’s size, goals, and audience. Partnering with experts can strengthen broader diversity and inclusion strategies, including hiring and retention efforts. For news organizations with multiple teams or locations, scalable training ensures consistency while allowing for customization based on local needs.

Long-Term Strategy and Sustainable Impact

DEIB is not a one-time initiative. It requires ongoing commitment and continuous improvement. External consultants can help organizations move beyond one-off workshops to develop long-term strategies that embed DEIB principles into daily operations. Outsourcing enables companies to build sustainable programs with clear goals, metrics, and accountability structures — all without guesswork or strain on company staff.

For journalism employers, this means creating a newsroom culture where inclusive practices aren’t just passively or abstractly encouraged, but actively and concretely integrated into every aspect of reporting, editing, and leadership. By investing in DEIB training and partnering with experienced organizations, news media employers can strengthen both their workplace culture and the quality of their journalism.

Get Expert DEIB Training for Your Media Organization With the Maynard Institute

The Maynard Institute inspires and powers the national, collaborative drive for DEIB in news media. Our antiracism training programs have helped create decades of news industry trailblazers, all of whom belong to the “Maynard Family”: a community of deep caring and intergenerational support for journalists of color. Programs by the Maynard Institute are open to all applicants, and the Maynard Institute is committed to addressing the under-representation of people of color and other historically disadvantaged groups in media-related professions.

The Maynard Institute’s Fault Lines® Culture Shift Program gives media professionals the tools to recognize and address biases that shape news coverage. Rooted in the Fault Lines® framework, our program helps organizations move far beyond performative DEI efforts. 

Instead, we use intentional DEI practices — built on nearly 50 years of DEI training in media spaces — that are proven to create inclusive workplaces that connect with diverse communities. Fill out our interest form to Register to bring Maynard’s Fault Lines® training to your company today!