Category Archives: Analysis

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”

🎧 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”

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”

When Enlace Latino NC covers a protest or community action today, nothing feels routine, says Co-founder and Executive Director Paola Jaramillo. Their small, immigrant-led newsroom has had to rethink nearly every part of its reporting — from what their reporters wear to who can safely enter a high-risk environment — because frontline journalists cannot predictContinue reading “What Enlace Latino NC’s Experience Reveals About the Safety Risks Facing Community Newsrooms — and Why Funders Should Care”

What the recent federal shutdown revealed — and why funders should pay attention During the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history, millions of families experienced delayed or reduced SNAP benefits, creating immediate gaps in access to food and essential services. While national outlets focused on political gridlock, community-rooted newsrooms quietly became part of theContinue reading “How Investing in Community Media Strengthens Crisis Response Infrastructure”

I predicted in 2017 that marginalized voices could be silenced by structural shifts in media and technology. That moment has arrived: Teen Vogue is gone, and the recent layoffs when it was folded into the parent magazine mean there are now no Black women working in the teen section. NBC News closed its identity-focused verticalsContinue reading “From Prediction to Reality: The Loss of Platforms for Youth and Communities of Color”

How Pivot-Backed Outlets Are Innovating to Engage Younger Audiences As trusted local media evolves, The Pivot Fund’s grantees are proving that innovation and intergenerational engagement go hand in hand. With support from Pivot, Chavez Media’s Radio Campesina is pioneering new ways to connect with younger Latino audiences—building a bridge between legacy trust and digital-first storytelling.Continue reading “Investing in the Next Generation of Trusted Media”

Independent, community-rooted publishers are under extraordinary strain — from funding cuts and policy shifts to politically motivated intimidation. Yet across the country, they continue to lead with courage, creativity, and care. During a recent Pivot Fund webinar, On the Front Lines with Community Media, newsroom leaders shared how they’re adapting to continue serving their audiences despiteContinue reading “Holding the Line: Community Publishers Rise Amid Threats, Change”

Engaging a New Generation: Pivot-Backed Reporter Brings a Fresh Voice, Younger Audience to Chavez Media With support from The Pivot Fund, Ernesto “Lego” Legorreta Rodríguez is helping Chavez Media’s Radio Campesina usher in a new era—one that speaks directly to younger audiences. As media consumption shifts and younger generations look for information in new ways, Chavez MediaContinue reading “Community Media Gets Creative to Connect Younger Audiences”

In Kansas City, a Black-owned newsroom turns reporting into action, tackling food insecurity while rebuilding civic trust. Community-rooted journalism can do more than report—it can identify urgent needs, mobilize resources, and strengthen civic infrastructure. The Kansas City Defender, a Black-owned newsroom, is showing exactly how this works through the Hamer Free Food Program, a mutual aid initiativeContinue reading “When Journalism Becomes Civic Infrastructure”