Local Media Foundation

Word In Black Racial Equity Fund

The Local Media Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable trust, supports charitable work conducted by Word In Black (WIB) through the Local Media Foundation’s component fund, the Word In Black Racial Equity Fund. WIB was founded on June 7, 2021. In the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, 10 of the nation’s legendary Black publishers — including AFRO News, The Atlanta Voice, Dallas Weekly, Houston Defender, Michigan Chronicle, New York Amsterdam News, Sacramento Observer, Seattle Medium, St. Louis American, and Washington Informer — came together to launch a news collaborative unlike any other in the industry. As WIB works with its members to investigate novel models for newsrooms’ long-term financial health, this grant to the Local Media Foundation will facilitate the publication and widespread dissemination of groundbreaking reports stemming from Word In Black’s work. These reports will educate the public on these efforts, including data collection methods, newsroom collaboration, and community engagement.

The Local Media Foundation is a nonprofit organization that leads innovative programs to promote the sustainability of journalism and news media. News Is Out is a queer media collaborative being incubated at Local Media Foundation, comprised of six of the country's leading local LGBTQ+ outlets: Bay Area Reporter, Dallas Voice, Philadelphia Gay News, Tagg Magazine, Washington Blade, and Windy City Times. The collaborative's mission is to deliver compelling journalism that engages, amplifies, and connects the LGBTQ+ community. Grant funds will provide project support to News Is Out to map the landscape of LGBTQ+ media across the United States and identify the overall reach, strength, and needs of LGBTQ+ media.