Print isn’t dead. For many communities, it’s infrastructure. In the digital-first era, print is often framed as a platform newsrooms should move away from. But for many community-rooted and immigrant-serving outlets, print is central to their mission. It’s tied to how trust is built and it’s key for helping people access vital information, and theContinue reading “Why Print Still Matters for Community and Immigrant-Serving Newsrooms”
Author Archives: Haeven Gibbons
Black History Month Begins With a Familiar Repression of the Black Press
Black History Month often arrives wrapped in celebration—progress, perseverance, firsts. But this year, it begins with a sobering reminder that some of the most dangerous chapters of U.S. history are not behind us. They are repeating. Last Thursday, Black journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were arrested for doing their jobs. The charges—widely viewed asContinue reading “Black History Month Begins With a Familiar Repression of the Black Press”
Black History Month, Press Freedom, and the Responsibility to Protect It
Dear Friends and Supporters, Black History Month often arrives wrapped in celebration—progress, perseverance, firsts. But this year, it begins with a sobering reminder that some of the most dangerous chapters of U.S. history are not behind us. They are repeating. Last Thursday, Black journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were arrested for doing their jobs.Continue reading “Black History Month, Press Freedom, and the Responsibility to Protect It”
Safety & Arrest Response Protocols for Journalists
1. Pre-Assignment Safety Planning Before covering protests, court proceedings, policing, immigration enforcement, or other government actions: 2. If a Journalist Is Detained or Arrested The newsroom should treat this as an emergency protocol, not a PR issue. Immediate actions (first 30–60 minutes): Do NOT: 3. Legal Response 4. Public Response & Solidarity Silence enables intimidation.Continue reading “Safety & Arrest Response Protocols for Journalists”
Shared Leadership as Infrastructure: What Funders Can Learn From MLK50
🎧 Podcast episode: Building Leadership That Reflects Community: MLK50’s Co-Executive Directors on Shared Power in Journalism Local news organizations are carrying unprecedented responsibility. They are expected to deliver trustworthy civic information, withstand political pressure, diversify revenue, support staff, and remain deeply accountable to the communities they serve—all at the same time. For many community-rooted outlets,Continue reading “Shared Leadership as Infrastructure: What Funders Can Learn From MLK50”
How Communities Are Preserving the Public Record When Traditional Systems Fall Short
What’s unfolding in Minneapolis shows why communities need trusted journalism systems in place before a crisis hits. The first casualty of war is the truth—unless truthtellers are on the ground. In Minnesota, they are. And they are reporting what they see. Over the past month of federal immigration enforcement operations across Minneapolis, St. Paul, andContinue reading “How Communities Are Preserving the Public Record When Traditional Systems Fall Short”
We’re Hiring: Director of Business Development
Director of Business Development Location: Remote (U.S.) | Reports to: CEO | Works closely with: Chief Development Officer Direct reports: Director of Learning, Research & Evaluation (and others as applicable) Status: Full-time, Exempt About The Pivot Fund The Pivot Fund empowers independent, community-rooted news outlets serving underrepresented urban and rural communities. We provide funding andContinue reading “We’re Hiring: Director of Business Development”
What Publishers Can Learn From MLK50: Justice Through Journalism’s Shared Leadership Model
🎧 Podcast episode: Building Leadership That Reflects Community: MLK50’s Co-Executive Directors on Shared Power in Journalism Local news leaders are being asked to do more than ever: set editorial vision, fundraise, hire and retain staff, build partnerships, respond to crises, and remain accountable to the communities they serve—all at once. For many outlets, especially community-rootedContinue reading “What Publishers Can Learn From MLK50: Justice Through Journalism’s Shared Leadership Model”
When communities build the public record
A field update from Minneapolis on what local publishers everywhere are learning: accountability now depends on resourced networks, not press releases. Field Update Across the country, local publishers are being asked to cover fast-moving enforcement activity, protests, and public safety incidents with fewer reporters, tighter timelines, and higher stakes. In that gap, communities are increasinglyContinue reading “When communities build the public record”
Print as Strategy: The Role of Print in Community News Ecosystems
Even in a digital-first era, many community and immigrant-serving outlets continue to rely on print — from newspapers to guides and special resources — as a trusted way to reach audiences and generate revenue. This webinar will explore why print endures, who’s using it effectively, and how it fits into sustainable, hybrid models for localContinue reading “Print as Strategy: The Role of Print in Community News Ecosystems”