Next City seeks a talented journalist of color for a one-year freelance reporting fellowship starting ASAP. Ideal candidates for this Equitable Cities Reporter Fellowship will have a demonstrated interest in urban policy, and published clips that show you deftly reporting on economic inequality and how it affects marginalized communities in a U.S. city (or cities). Next City is committed to bringing underrepresented voices to the forefront of the conversation about cities and their future. Minorities, although representative of more than half the population of the 10 largest U.S. cities, are vastly underrepresented in the media and in many conversations about urban trends and growth.
Within the framework of economic development, economic policy and social mobility, we’ll encourage you to follow your passion as you pitch and contribute to our online news site each month — whether that’s the racial wealth gap in the U.S., ineffective corporate subsidies, or wage theft and beyond. (Hint: If you don’t know the gist of all three of those, this fellowship probably isn’t for you.)
You should be an expressive, engaging writer who can weave together human interest stories with data and reporting. You should be motivated to uncover ways people can move out of or avoid poverty and to investigate policies and strategies that are contributing to inequality.
The fellowship will begin ASAP and can be fulfilled remotely, though you’re also welcome to work out of our Philadelphia office. The fellowship includes opportunities for travel, an annual membership to the professional journalism organization of your choice and other resources for professional development.
Fellows are welcome to write for other journalism outlets, but you’ll need time in your schedule to pitch and deliver between five and six 1,000-word articles a month to Next City.
Qualifications include:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Two-plus years of professional journalism experience
- Strong and demonstrated interest in cities, economic development and related public policy
- Outstanding research, writing and fact-checking skills
- Ability to independently develop story ideas and sources on a weekly basis
- Efficient and deadline-oriented approach to tasks
- Knowledge of CMS publishing and basic HTML
To apply, please submit:
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a cover letter, a resume and three professional references;
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links to three published articles, at least one of which must demonstrate your reporting on urban policy or a prevalent challenge facing U.S. cities today;
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Two pitches for Next City stories that focus on U.S. urban economic development. Consider this an opportunity to show off your news instincts, your voice and your reporting skills. Specify the news hook. Explain exactly why (after a careful review of our site) you believe the article would resonate with Next City readers. Tell us how you’d frame the story, who you’d interview, and what data sources you’d consult, with as much detail as possible. Also important to keep in mind: Next City focuses its reporting on solutions and the people pushing forward with them. In writing about any aspect of racial or economic inequality or injustice, your stories should have somebody or several somebodies working together to change something or explore a new model addressing the challenge at hand.
Please apply via our Submittable link. Deadline for applications is December 17, 2018.
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