The Pivot Fund’s inaugural $2M investment in seven Georgia-based, BIPOC-led outlets is a transformative philanthropic move.
Author Archives: Tracie Powell
How to fund and sustain news outlets created by and for people of color: Insights from The Pivot Fund podcast
Tracie Powell, journalist and founder of a new venture philanthropy organization, shares five podcast episodes about funding, sustaining and growing community news outlets.
On World Press Freedom Day A Reminder Of The Press’ Role In Upholding Democracy
World Press Freedom Day commentary mentions Powell and The Pivot Fund as examples of efforts to safeguard press freedom and democracy.
How to turn newsletters into a media empire
S. Mitra Kalita, the publisher of Epicenter-NYC, discusses how her company monetizes its popular newsletters in a conversation hosted by The Pivot Fund. Kalita talked with Liz Alarcón, the founder and executive director of Pulso, and Tracie Powell, the CEO of The Pivot Fund.
ONA announces capacity support investment for The Pivot Fund to promote racial equity in journalism
ONA’s investment in The Pivot Fund will enhance capacity for racial equity in journalism, marking a significant early endorsement.
The Root and the case for culturally competent Black media
Sometimes Things Just End The Root — a digital website that boasts that it provides news with a Black perspective for Black people — has lost more than two-thirds of its writers, journalists, popular and noted columnists, and content producers, an analysis of the masthead shows. In April, the site’s former celebrated editor-in-chief, Danielle Belton,Continue reading “The Root and the case for culturally competent Black media”
Reconnecting with advertisers in a post-pandemic world
Two years into a global pandemic, the advertising rules for local news organizations have been upended. Unable to go into stories or access newspapers, an entire consumer base has been re-educated to interact digitally with brands, including local businesses. Building loyalty and memberships are now even more important when it comes to our brands andContinue reading “Reconnecting with advertisers in a post-pandemic world”
The Ozy Media Debacle Is a Cautionary Tale for Journalism Donors
The soap opera that has become Ozy Media — replete with allegations of fake audience metrics and outright fraud — offers many lessons for philanthropists, especially those who want to support media organizations that aim to reach diverse audiences.
That time when we interviewed OZY.com’s Carlos Watson in 2015
OZY.com is currently in the news for all the wrong reasons. News reports about fraud, inflated value, and inflated reach are dogging co-founder Carlos Watson. Just six years ago, AllDigitocracy (now The Pivot Fund) interviewed Watson about mistakes he’d made and challenges he faced in launching OZY.com. Watch it now.
One Great Idea: Sponsored Q&As
Like many, I learned about the deaths of actor Michael K. Williams and comedian Fuquan Johnson due to fentanyl-laced drug overdoses on social media. But it wasn’t until I turned on the radio and tuned into the Rickey Smiley Morning Show that I learned about the extent of fentanyl’s deadly impact on Black communities across the country. Smiley, a popular comedianContinue reading “One Great Idea: Sponsored Q&As”