NABJ Launches “The Black Press Grant Program” to Sponsor Freelance Reporters and Producers

WASHINGTON — The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) will provide grant funding directly to support freelance reporters and producers at Black-owned media outlets through the “Black Press Grant Program.” The program is supported by a $300,000 grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI).

The grants aim to help ensure Black-owned print, broadcast, and digital outlets are resourced with original and innovative coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, the coronavirus vaccine, and/or its intersections into the nation’s K-12 education system.

Journalists and those within Black-owned media are invited to submit original proposals for investigative, feature, enterprise for a single or series of original stories published/broadcasted in Black-owned media. Fast grants to freelancers and Black-owned media will be up to  $10,000.

NABJ will provide support to original journalism content submitted with an endorsement from a Black-owned media outlet for freelance journalists. A review of proposals will be led by the NABJ Black Press Task Force and NABJ staff. NABJ will distribute Black media content through its newly launched news platform.

“NABJ is always proud to partner with CZI. This grant program will provide Black journalists the ability to tell their communities’ stories with financial freedom. And NABJ is proud to offer freelancers a platform to showcase their work,” said NABJ President Dorothy Tucker.

Successful proposals will complete an application by clicking here. Membership in NABJ is not required for funding support but is helpful. The grant term is March 2021 – December 2021.

“The Black Press Grant Program will help amplify Black voices and storytellers to advance racial equity,” said Raymonde Charles, Vice President of Communications, Education and Ventures. “We are excited to support NABJ’s efforts to raise awareness of critical issues that disproportionately impact the Black community, including the impact of COVID-19 on students of color in our education system.”

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About the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative was founded in 2015 to help solve some of society’s toughest challenges — from eradicating disease and improving education, to addressing the needs of our local communities. Our mission is to build a more inclusive, just, and healthy future for everyone. For more information, please visit www.chanzuckerberg.com.

About the National Association of Black Journalists

The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) is an organization of 4,000 journalists, students, media-related professionals, and journalism educators. The association provides innovative, quality programs and services to and advocates on behalf of Black journalists worldwide. Founded in 1975 by 44 men and women in Washington, D.C., NABJ advocates year-round to ensure fairness, diversity, and inclusion are a priority across the news and media industries. Through its annual convention, NABJ offers several programs and services designed to meet the needs of diverse news and media professionals, ranging from career fairs and networking events to professional development workshops and technical training. Learn more at NABJonline.org or follow on Twitter @NABJ.