Will local news get a boost at Washington Post?
Jon Funabiki’s work coming Friday to the Kennedy Center
Latest from one of our most provocative Roundtable guests
Slave Dwelling Project: Thursday in D.C. – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Protecting historic Black cities and towns
From GBH and World, Boston
From New York: ‘Media Watch’ program from June 10
For those heading to the NABJ convention
Reporters Committee, photographers group offering free legal trainings
Watch the Stillwater Awards for prison journalism
From Ebony Reed: ‘Fifteen Cents on the Dollar’
From the Atlantic — Atlantic Festival returns
JOBS
Matt Murray speaks to staff members at The Washington Post after being named to a new top editorial role. (Credit: Robert Miller/Washington Post)
Will local news get a boost at Washington Post?
Astute local readers of the Washington Post have noticed a de-emphasis on local news since paper was acquired by Jeff Bezos in 2013.
Now comes this from Cuneyt Dil at Axios D.C.:
Washington Post CEO Will Lewis is the talk of the town, but how much of a payoff does the new British regime see in covering hometown D.C.?
What I’m hearing: Sir William and co. are floating an idea called “Local+,” a new offering for readers who want to pay extra for premium local content, sources tell me.
- The nascent idea includes building a subscription model with premium newsletter(s) and “exclusive experiences” for locals.
The big picture: This would be a 180. The Jeff Bezos era introduced the idea of the Everything Newspaper — local took a backseat in the pursuit to go toe-to-toe with the New York Times.
In pre-Bezos times, the Post made the world of Washington front and center, dedicating A1 columns to city hall and zoning disputes in the suburbs.
Inside the room: Karl Wells, a Lewis deputy, now sees renewed value in metro coverage. Local+ (like Disney+, get it?) would be part of a grander strategy for new upscale and pricier Post products. . . . More at: https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2024/06/12/washington-post-dc-local-news-will-lewis
Jon Funabiki, at right, is the producer. of “Ten Times Better.” “You know, this is the first time I’ve worked on a doc!” he messages. “It’s been a real rush, and we feel like we’ve done a good deed filling in a MISSING CHAPTER OF HISTORY.” Jon is with director Jennifer Lin and co-producer Cory Lin Stieg.
Jon Funabiki’s work coming Friday to the Kennedy Center
Ten [Times] Better Wins Award and Heads to the Kennedy Center!
We’re excited to report that Ten Times Better recently won the Audience Award for Documentary Shorts at the Berkshire International Film Festival. Next, the surprising story of Asian American dance pioneer George Lee heads to Washington, DC, as part of the Kennedy Center’s 10,000 Dreams: A Festival of Asian Choreography. The film will be presented during a free, outdoor screening on Friday evening, June 14.
Directed by Jennifer Lin, the untold story of Asian American Dance pioneer George Lee also drew enthusiastic audiences during a three -city tour in the West, with screenings in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
Born to a Chinese acrobat and a Polish ballerina, Lee arrived in New York as a teenaged refugee, managed to dance his way into the School of American Ballet, and was featured in Life Magazine for his dazzling leaps in George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker in 1954. He also danced in Flower Drum Song, the first Broadway show to feature a nearly all Asian American cast. After 25 years on stage, Lee retired from dance and became a blackjack dealer in Las Vegas, where few knew of his past achievements – until now.
As anchor Gia Vang of NBC Bay Area reported, “Lee’s story was mostly unknown until director Jennifer Lin found his photos in the archive of the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. She tracked him down in Las Vegas, where the then 88-year-old had been a blackjack dealer for decades after retiring from dance in his late 40s.”
With its surprising twists, Lee’s story has generated coverage in The New York Times, CBS New York, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Pacific Citizen, AsAm News, 6ABC Philadelphia, Conversations on Dance, Back Stage with Lia Chang, and many other news and social media outlets.
The Kennedy Center’s June 14 film program, Extraordinary Cinema, will feature 10 independent shorts — some dance films, others dance documentaries—all led, directed, choreographed, or featuring the stories of Asian creatives in dance. The program, which is free, starts at dusk. Click here for screening information.
10,000 Dreams also will present three evenings of live ballet performances – June 18, 19, and 20 – shining the spotlight on Asian and Asian American choreographers representing their ethnic heritages of Singapore, China, Japan, Taiwan, the Philippines, and more. Curated by the Kennedy Center and Phil Chan, co-founder of Final Bow for Yellowface, the program will feature dancers from The Washington Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Singapore Ballet, Goh Ballet, Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company, Ballet West, Houston Ballet, and the National Ballet of China. Click here for dance details.
Bonus invitation: We are pleased to share The Kennedy Center’s offer of a Family & Friends discount for a series of live dance performances stage performances in the Opera House, Tuesday-Sunday, June 18-23. All the ballets on these programs are works by Asian choreographers. Please use the discount code link (below) for tickets.
10,000 Dreams: A Celebration of Asian Choreography
Tuesday–Friday, June 18–21 at 7:30 p.m.
$35 and $49 tickets for select Orchestra and First Tier seating
Saturday & Sunday, June 22 & 23 at 1:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
$45 and $59 tickets for select Orchestra and First Tier seating
Use this link or promo code 566752
Thank you for your support! You made this happen!
Jennifer and Jon
Jon “advocates for media equity following a career spanning journalism, teaching and philanthropy. After covering Asia for The San Diego Union, Jon worked for The Ford Foundation and was a professor of journalism at San Francisco State University.”
Latest from one of our most provocative Roundtable guests
SNEAK PREVIEW: Thinker, Sailor, Blackman, Spy – Memoir of an Intelligence Warrior
Welcome to Baby Spy School. Get out your notebooks, kids. It’s the micro-history of Espionage.
Jun 07, 2024
∙ Paid
No, this mock-up is not the book’s actual cover, but it might be something close. Tell me what you’d like to see in the comments. (Photo: Author)
Continue reading this post for free, courtesy of Malcolm Nance.
Or upgrade your subscription. Upgrade to paid
Slave Dwelling Project: Thursday in D.C. – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Looking at the history behind Langston University, Oklahoma’s only HBCU,” from KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City. The city of Langston is one of those targeted in a campaign to save African American communities “that have paved a path to fulfilling the dreams of the ancestors who founded these communities.” Others are named here: < https://bit.ly/4bVT7sp > and here < https://bit.ly/3KCR4NM >
Protecting historic Black cities and towns
From Afia Zakiya, Ubuntu Climate Initiative
I invite you and all you share this information with to sign our petition and Freedmen’s Settlement Resolution to protect and resource remaining historic Black towns and settlements across the nation. We have just launched our national campaign. See below.
IT’S OFFICIAL! The Chisholm Legacy Project (TCLP) and Ubuntu Climate Initiative (UCI) have launched our NATIONAL CAMPAIGN to save, protect, and resource Freedmen’s Settlements/Historic Black Towns and Communities!
Find below information we are distributing to assist organizations to support the campaign. Find below links to a NEW Article, the Freedmen’s Resolution, social media graphics, and a link to our CHANGE.ORG petition.
We are happy to share that we have made inroads with major organizations and in Congress and now have a team fully advocating for our Resolution to be on the desk of President Biden ON or shortly after JUNETEENTH! Your signature will add strength to our campaign and be part of a historic initiative.
p.s. You’re invited to our Juneteenth Virtual Program Honoring HBTS and Introducing the Ubuntu Climate Initiative! (see attached flyer and register here: https://bitly.cx/dZV6v)
Subject: Freedmen’s Settlement Communities campaign launch (All hands on deck!) – ACTIONS YOU CAN DO:
- READ the Resolution here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12LJPlQXc3W1AK_zqEYVCBJ0Fb6z6nidc/view
- ORGANIZATIONS can sign on here and INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS CAN SIGN OUR PETITION HERE: ttps://bit.ly/FreedmenSettlementsPetition.
- READ and SHARE the Medium article on our CAMPAIGN and mission: https://urbanresilience.medium.com/freedmens-settlements-remember-the-past-heal-in-the-present-and-imagine-the-future-3497b6546473.
- Share a post from the toolkit (attached) on your social media channels.
Asante Sana in advance for your support! If you have any questions, please contact:
Anastasia Douglas (she/ her)
Director of Narrative Strategy
The Chisholm Legacy Project
c: (510) 340-4569
e: anastasia@thechisholmlegacyproject.org
w: thechisholmlegacyproject.org
From GBH and World, Boston
From New York: ‘Media Watch’ program from June 10
Hosts: Alan Singer, PhD, with Robert Anthony, Raymond Peterson and Eric V Tait Jr:
Subject: A) D-Day Anniversary, the post-war US-rebuilding of a Democracy-centered Europe with a lasting peace, now shattered by Putin’s push to remake the map of Europe toward Autocratic rule
B) GOP Reax to the 34-Count conviction of the Putin-loving wannabe-Dictator tRUMP, e.g.
C) GOP so-called “Oversight” Kangaroo Hearings trying to “deflect” from Trump convictions by pillorying Dr. Anthony Fauci, and
D) Mike Johnson, Tim Scott and other Trump ass-kissing sycophants maligning the Justice system and calling for SCOTUS to “step in” and overturn the Trump Guilty Verdict
E) Hunter Biden Trial begins, Right wing media about to “freak-out” even more??
F) Israel’s Social Media Propaganda Campaign on the War in Gaza targets primarily black elected officials. Yes, an actual, documented Social Media Propaganda Campaign with fake accounts, bots, the whole shebang… Anyone Surprised?
For those heading to the NABJ convention
From Deborah D. Douglas, director, Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub | senior lecturer, Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University:
Heading to NABJ in Chicago in July? Double your impact and engagement by stopping by the Medill Midwest Solutions Journalism Summer Summit in Downtown Chicago — the day before NABJ kicks off. Explore best practices in solutions journalism at this interactive summit that is free of charge with meals provided throughout the day. Engage with big ideas for your news coverage and community engagement led by presenters with proven results. Find the registration link here and meet our keynoters below: https://bit.ly/3yM3yjF
Reporters Committee, photographers group offering free legal trainings
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and the National Press Photographers Association will lead free legal training sessions for journalists covering the 2024 national political conventions this summer.
The first training will take place virtually on June 27 at 1 p.m. ET and focus on information for journalists covering the Republican National Convention, scheduled for July 15-18 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The second training will take place virtually on July 25 at 1 p.m. ET and is geared toward journalists reporting on the Democratic National Convention, set for Aug. 19-22 in Chicago, Illinois. More here
Watch the Stillwater Awards for prison journalism
Join SPJ [Society of Professional Journalists] and PJP {Prison Journalism Project] for a Stillwater celebration on Monday, June 17, from 7:30-9 p.m EDT. Ask questions of the judges and hear comments from some of the winners, read by their family members. Sign up here (it’s free).
2023 Winners
The inaugural awards were launched in 2024 and have just concluded. See the winners here.
The Stillwater Awards recognize excellence in prison journalism — one of the toughest places to practice the craft.
The Stillwater Awards are named after the Minnesota town where Stillwater State Prison was built. In 1887, the warden founded The Prison Mirror, the first newspaper written and managed exclusively by inmates. Today, there are dozens of prison publications across the country.
The Stillwater Awards are co-sponsored by SPJ and the Prison Journalism Project. Since 2020, PJP has trained incarcerated writers and published their stories. Because of that, PJP doesn’t participate in the judging of the Stillwater Awards. . . . More here
From Ebony Reed: ‘Fifteen Cents on the Dollar’
Ebony messages, “We appreciate any support we can get to raise up this statistic and its impact on Black communities, including the families of all economic levels, we have chronicled.”
Friday, June 21: Washington, D.C.
June 21: “Financial Punishment: The Black-White Wealth Gap and the Justice System.” At the National Press Club, D.C. Sign up here (ticket includes a book purchase) or for free here (if you already bought one).
From The Atlantic — Atlantic Festival returns
The Atlantic Festival is returning to The Wharf in Washington, D.C., on September 19 and 20 and passes are on sale now.
Join us for one-on-one interviews with national leaders and culture makers, fascinating book talks, premiere screenings, and the opportunity to meet people who want to engage with the great curiosities of the day. The year 2024 is a consequential one and this year’s festival will tackle the big questions to meet the moment head-on.
We have a terrific roster of confirmed speakers, including Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries; Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania; The Bulwark’s Sarah Longwell, Bill Kristol, and Tim Miller; political strategists David Axelrod and Karl Rove; founder of birthFUND, Elaine Welteroth; award-winning filmmaker and storyteller Noah Hawley (FX series Fargo); CNN anchor and Chief Washington Correspondent Jake Tapper; social psychologist and author of The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt; and actor and playwright Anna Deavere Smith.
Atlantic writers and contributors including Jeffrey Goldberg, Jemele Hill, Elaina Plott Calabro, Evan Smith, Hanna Rosin, and Derek Thompson will be moderating these live conversations.
The complete agenda will be released in August, with more great speakers to come.
JOBS
Leading D.C. bureau of Arizona State’s Cronkite School
Open-rank career track faculty position, Cronkite News Washington Bureau
The Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University is seeking an experienced professional journalist to teach and lead a team of advanced undergraduate and graduate students in its Washington, D.C., news bureau in multimedia journalism coverage of Washington-based stories that impact Arizona audiences. . . . . (second item)
Deputy editor, State Affairs, Miami
(Alison Bethel is Chief Content Officer & Editor-in-Chief)
The Deputy Editor plays a vital role in overseeing the editorial operations of State Affairs Pro across six states. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the delivery of compelling, relevant and accurate news stories to our readership. This position requires a strong journalistic or copy-editing background and a passion for delivering impactful nonpartisan news. Attention to detail is paramount, and knowledge of The Associated Press style is desirable. A passion for politics is desirable.
In short, we need someone who can communicate well with many different people across our organization and help coordinate the team’s efforts in achieving company goals. . . . . More here
From journalist organizations
Chronicle of Philanthropy
Reporter, Fundraising
As a reporter on the fundraising beat, your stories will focus on fundraising advice. You will identify fundraising trends, talk to fundraisers, and learn what’s working and potential pitfalls. The goal is to write articles with actionable steps fundraisers can take to better do their jobs. You will collaborate with our Nonprofit Intelligence team on webinars, live discussions, and case studies – work that helps nonprofit fundraisers improve their skills in attracting donations of all kinds. More here
From Boston Globe Media
Current Openings
- Boston, MA
- Newsroom
- Boston, MA
- Newsroom
- Boston, MA
- Editorial
- Boston, MA
- Newsroom – Spotlight
- Boston, MA
- Providence, RI
- Newsroom
- Boston, MA
- Newsroom – Spotlight
- Boston, MA
- Newsroom
- Providence, RI
- Globe Rhode Island
- Boston, MA
- Newsroom
- Boston, MA
- Newsroom
Cheers,
Richard Prince
