Sustainability for publishers of color is one of our four strategic pillars. We execute on this pillar through our Digital Transformation Lab, the Fund for Black Journalism, and the Word In Black collaborative, among other key initiatives.
Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion: Local Media Association, Local Media Foundation, their boards of directors, leadership, staff, and partners are committed to creating, supporting, and sustaining an inclusive community. We strive to ensure that all of our programs, services, and content reflect a world that invites the broadest possible participation. We recognize, however, that while pursuing that ideal is desirable, our industry continues to struggle with representation, and sometimes our own work doesn’t achieve that North Star. LMA and LMF are strategically investing in local media’s future by specifically supporting diversity, equity and inclusive initiatives.
Here are recent articles highlighting our initiatives toward sustainability for publishers of color, and toward diversity, equity and inclusion.
3 reasons the local Black press has a strong future
Although we mostly concentrate on prominent people, businesses, and events from the past during Black History Month, it is imperative that we also focus on the future of the Black press.
Three lessons from our first succession planning workshop
Succession is a perilous time for small or family-owned businesses, and community newspapers are no different. We often hear from publishers whose papers have been in their families for generations, but who need a new path forward. We also know that papers published by and serving Black communities play an outsized role in our nation’s […]
What a new CMS meant for 4 small outlets: LMF releases Knight-funded project report
Does a new content management system for digital sites deliver enough return on investment to justify the time and expense needed to convert? That question is on the minds of leaders at many small news outlets, and Local Media Foundation decided to find out through a program to implement a new CMS for four legacy […]
Audience representation and digital transformation for Black-owned media
On March 16, 1827, John Russwurm and Samuel Cornish started the Freedom’s Journal in New York City. During the Civil War era, African American newspapers had grown to 40 publishers. In the 1920s and 1930s, major newspapers were ignoring Black America — including not even printing obituaries for African American people. So African American newspapers […]
Inside 7 GNI Innovation Challenge projects that elevate diversity, equity, inclusion in newsgathering
Over three webinars, leaders from seven local news organizations showed significant impact and highlighted replicable ideas and actionable takeaways for other newsrooms.
Respected media, technology, revenue specialists excited to lead Knight x LMA BloomLab
After months of conversations and planning, the Knight x LMA BloomLab: Sustainability for Black Locally Owned & Operated Media was announced in late February, with $3.2 million in funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to cover the first three years of Lab effort. In the BloomLab, key leaders of 26 Black-owned […]
LMA + LMF 2021 Impact Report
2021 was a transformational year in our organization’s history. The global pandemic forced us to engage in new and different ways, and we learned a lot in the process. From transforming our own business through new funding sources to helping local media companies with their long-term sustainability goals, it was a year of great progress […]
John Celestand to join Knight x LMA BloomLab as program director
John Celestand will join the Knight x LMA BloomLab on March 9 as program director. The former NBA champion brings a wide range of experience including journalism, public broadcasting, program management, community engagement, business development and much more. Celestand will be responsible for the BloomLab’s strategic resources to foster long-term sustainability and independence of Black-owned […]
LMA investment in BlueLena furthers mission to reinvent business models for news
(February 24, 2022) — To further its mission to help local media companies discover new and sustainable business models, Local Media Association has made a strategic investment in BlueLena, a service provider that helps media outlets develop successful subscription, membership and donation programs. LMA completed the transaction this week in tandem with Automattic, Inc., which […]
How the Black press tells the truth mainstream media have only begun to acknowledge
Word In Black Managing Director Liz Dwyer shows ways trailblazing Black publishers fearlessly address issues facing the Black community in the same spirit as Ida B. Wells.
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