May 12th 2024.
Ten Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are set to receive a major financial boost for their student newsrooms, thanks to the Newsroom Innovation Challenge launched by Howard University's Center for Journalism and Democracy. The program, which was spearheaded by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, aims to provide HBCUs with the resources they need to improve their newsroom technology, business operations, audience engagement, and reporting. By doing so, the program hopes to not only elevate the quality of journalism being produced at these institutions, but also to support and empower the next generation of investigative journalists.
In a recent press release, Hannah-Jones expressed her passion for this project, stating, "HBCU student newsrooms brim with talent, but often lack the resources needed to give students access to cutting-edge technology and operational support that many of their peers at predominantly white institutions have." She believes that by investing in these newsrooms and providing stipends for student journalists, the playing field can be leveled, allowing HBCU students to compete on an equal footing with their counterparts at other universities.
The grant program received a large number of submissions from the nine HBCU cohort schools, who were invited to apply in the fall of 2023 by presenting their vision and goals for utilizing the awarded funds. After careful consideration, the winners were announced in late April, and the grants will range from $4,000 to $29,000, along with a one-time technology award. Additionally, the newsrooms will receive two years' worth of funding to pay certain staff members and hire contributing writers, with the option to re-apply for funding for up to five years.
For Hannah-Jones, this initiative is just one aspect of her greater vision for Howard University's journalism center. She shared with The Dig, "The Newsroom Innovation Challenge is part of the vision I had when I founded the Center two years ago, and I am thrilled to see these resources being directed to where they are truly needed. By investing in our HBCUs, we are investing in the coverage of our multiracial democracy by a multiracial press."
The institutions chosen to receive these funds, including Howard University's The Hilltop and HU News Service, Morgan State University, the University of the District of Columbia, Morehouse College, Florida A&M University, North Carolina A&T University, North Carolina Central University, Savannah State University, and Texas Southern University, are all grateful for the considerable financial support. Milton Kent, a professor at Morgan State University and advisor to the student newspaper, The Spokesman, spoke to The Dig about the impact this funding will have on their newsroom. "We are incredibly grateful for the awarding of these funds. It will greatly enhance our ability to deliver news and information to our readers," he shared. "I can say that The Spokesman has lost talented journalists because some students cannot afford to work in the newsroom without being paid, so this is a monumental development for us."
This exciting news comes as Hannah-Jones continues to make waves in the journalism world, recently calling out UNC for withholding millions of dollars in fellowships for Black journalists. With initiatives like the Newsroom Innovation Challenge, she is actively working towards creating a more inclusive and diverse landscape in journalism, and the impact will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.
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