Hy-Lo uses strategic partnerships to flesh out election coverage

To maximize your impact and efforts, engage with your community strategically. Janey Tate, publisher of Hy-Lo News, exemplifies effective collaboration in producing comprehensive election coverage, securing additional revenue, and optimizing her time—critical objectives for small newsrooms.

Tate partnered with The Miami Foundation to moderate two candidate forums. The opportunity came about because she had nurtured the relationship with the Foundation over the past few years, which is a gentle reminder to begin networking and planting seeds to build relationships.

The Foundation offered her a paid opportunity to lead discussions on the Property Appraisal and City Commissioner District 3 races. Tate viewed the Property Appraisal forum as an excellent chance to inform her audience. In contrast, the District 3 forum was particularly relevant to her readers, who reside in one of Miami’s predominantly Black districts. In addition to securing another income stream, this collaboration strengthened Hy-Lo’s relationship with the Foundation. It introduced her digital outlet to more of the Foundation’s audience and vice versa through cross-promotions.

“I would’ve done it for free, but now, I know that it’s a service I can offer to bring in additional income and add that to my wheelhouse,” said Tate.” Now, I can add the YouTube stream to my website and create an article around it, allowing me to bring new information and perspectives to my readers without doing all the leg work.”

She understands how relationships with her local ecosystem, not just the philanthropic branch, can benefit her coverage. 

Tate co-hosts a show, That Part!, with Papa Keith, a prominent Miami radio personality, focusing on civic engagement and local politics. Hundreds of listeners tune into their relatable takes and banter on what’s happening locally and nationally. The duo has interviewed Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Senator Shevrin Jones, and more. Season two of That Part! begins next month.

“We’ve always talked about politics and government, especially as he [Keith] has gotten more into it. Then, this year, he’s like, Yo, can you help me start this? Let’s partner on this,” said Tate. “Then recently, with all the news around Kamala, we hosted a live show with just a Q&A for our live audience. We answered their questions on the spot and had a place where we all could talk about our feelings and thoughts.”

Again, she’s widening Hy-Lo’s audience and actively engaging while bringing her brand to the forefront.

She also plans to collaborate with a local nonprofit to develop and distribute a voter guide, continuing a successful initiative from previous years. In the past, she partnered with The Black Collective, a movement committed to building and promoting a shared Black agenda to elevate political consciousness and build political and economic power for Black communities. It underscores her commitment to uplifting and supporting the community she serves.

Lastly, Janey understands that civic engagement is critical beyond election season. Hy-Lo’s exclusive report, How Florida’s Recreational Weed Amendment Will Affect Black People Economically and in the Criminal Justice System, represents that work. The deep dive into Amendment 3, which would allow those 21+ to lawfully possess marijuana for personal use, thoughtfully details the benefits of decriminalization, the implications (or lack thereof) of retroactive pardons, and who stands to gain financially from the bill’s passing.

All in all, Hy-Lo News’s approach leaves publishers and hyperlocal newsrooms with a few lessons:

• Understand and engage with your audience to report on stories that resonate and spot opportunities that fit your coverage. 
• Collaborate and cross-promote to maximize your efforts, build your audience, and share the workload, particularly as folks across industries focus on the election. 
• Network and build community year-round to facilitate natural partnerships