Pioneering Black Women Reshape Journalism Leadership
Originally published by Diane Sylvester for Editor and Publisher
It’s a tumultuous time in journalism. Outlets are shuttering, and layoffs seem constant. The recent layoffs at the Los Angeles Times provoked concerns across the industry as more than 50% of those cut were journalists of color.
How do we turn the tide and not lose the gains already realized? Can technology help? What’s a good business model in this new media era?
These questions are at the forefront of the minds of Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins, president of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ); LaSharah Bunting, CEO and executive director of the Online News Association (ONA); and Karen Rundlet, CEO and executive director of the Institute for Nonprofit News (INN).
Over the past year, each has stepped into the lead role at three of the most influential news associations, each as the first Black woman to hold the post. In interviews with E&P, they spoke about their new roles, how they got there and how they hope to advance their individual organizations and journalism writ large.