NextShark and 19 BIPOC Newsrooms Accepted to Facebook’s 2020 Sustainability Accelerator

October 22, 2020

NextShark has been chosen to participate in Facebook Journalism Program’s Sustainability Accelerator Program along with a group of 20 news organizations owned and led by people of color.

The six-month program will provide newsrooms training and possible grants to help with revenue and audience growth strategies.

The Facebook program “will enhance the long-term growth and sustainability of news organizations that are owned or led by Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and other people of color. Strengthening these newsrooms is an essential part of creating a more just and equitable media ecosystem and a more just and equitable society.”

Participating newsrooms were selected by staff at Facebook, the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) and Accelerator coaches from more than 300 applications throughout the United States.

“We are honored to partner with this impressive group of publishers, whose newsrooms make a difference in their communities and serve as models for our industry,” said Joyce Barnathan, the president of ICFJ, an organization that helps news organizations become financially stronger. “Without question, the work they do is critical, and an investment in their long term success is an investment in stronger communities.”

Other participating newsrooms that focus on Asian issues include Rafu Shimpo, which was founded by Japanese students in the Los Angeles area in 1903. El Mundo Boston has been serving the Latinx community in the greater Boston area for nearly 50 years, while the Miami Times, the South’s largest Black newspaper, has been operating for more than 100 years.

You can view the full list of accepted newsrooms here.

“We are in a moment when Black- and Brown-owned and led media is absolutely essential to the future of this nation. This is an opportunity to provide skills and resources to help these organizations continue to grow, innovate and lead,” said Sara Lomax-Reese, president of WURD Radio in Philadelphia and program lead for the program.

Following the six months of the program, the 20 participants will be eligible to apply for Facebook funding to implement new editorial and business strategies.

Congratulations to all the newsrooms that were accepted!

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