The Reader Institute for Community Journalism (RICJ), publishers of the Chicago Reader, will launch its second cohort program for writers interested in and/or working on stories directly addressing racial justice issues in the first of two three-month sessions. This cohort will be limited to six (6) participants and will last eight weeks.
Applications will be accepted now through August 25.
Each participant will develop a story idea pitch for publication with the support of the cohort and one on one check-ins with a professional mentor.
“In this second iteration of the Racial Justice Writers’ Room, we’re looking to empower this cohort to think more critically about how they report on racial justice issues in this media climate,” said Salem Collo-Julin, editor in chief of the Reader.
The program will take place from September 11 to October 31, and will include five in-person sessions and three virtual sessions, with workshops led by media professionals and RJWR alumni. Emmy-award winning journalist and documentary filmmaker Judith McCray serves as cohort director, and has designed a program that is engaging and thought-provoking.
“Now more than ever, we need journalists in Chicago who are ready to report from and for our various communities through a justice and equity lens,” said Solomon Lieberman, publisher and CEO of Reader Institute for Community Journalism. “Our Writers’ Room co-leader Judith [McCray] has both extensive in-field and academic experience to inspire and motivate the next wave of racial and social justice reporters.”
Applications are now open through August 25.
For more information on RICJ and the Chicago Reader, visit our about page.
Join the team! For current career openings visit our careers page.