The News is Out and Word In Black collaboratives are excited to start accepting applications for a brand new fellowship in 16 communities across the U.S.
The fellowship is part of the Digital Equity Local Voices Lab, funded by Comcast NBCUniversal.
Through Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity and economic opportunities, the company is donating more than $1 million to launch this first-of-its-kind Lab that supports coverage of Black and LGBTQ+- topics in the media and supports emerging journalists with a passion for reporting on issues of importance to these communities.
The Lab will elevate Black and LGBTQ+ perspectives through content creation and content sharing with NBCUniversal and NBCU Academy during a year-long fellowship program that places 16 fellows at the 16 participating news organizations.
Fellows will be part of a cohort that receives best practices and learnings from journalists and media professionals at News is Out, Word In Black, and NBCUniversal. They will also report on stories of Black and LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and creatives in their communities, share training and resources on using technology more in their daily lives, report on policy related to access to technology and connectivity, and share the work being done to advance digital equity.
News is Out is queer media collaborative made up of six of the country’s leading local LGBTQ+ outlets: Bay Area Reporter, Dallas Voice, Philadelphia Gay News, Tagg Magazine, Washington Blade and Windy City Times. Our mission is to deliver compelling journalism, which engages, amplifies and connects the LGBTQ+ community.
Word In Black is a media collaborative made up of 10 legendary Black publications – AFRO News, The Atlanta Voice, Dallas Weekly, Houston Defender, Michigan Chronicle, New York Amsterdam News, Sacramento Observer, Seattle Medium, St. Louis American and Washington Informer. Formed in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, Word in Black promises to confront inequities, elevate solutions, and amplify the Black experience by reporting, collecting, and sharing stories about real people in communities across our country.
The fellow will create one larger story per month with multimedia assets that can be shared across digital and broadcast platforms. This fellow could liaise with NBCU and any local affiliates, appear on air for segments, and share content they produce.
Fellows will work directly with editorial staff at News is Out and Word In Black, their home publication and liaise with teams at NBCU.
If you are interested in applying, please fill out this form below and we will pass it to the appropriate newsroom.