New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced a new initiative aimed at increasing diversity in journalism.
The city will be granting an annual $500,000 in scholarships specifically for students of color. The announcement was made in a press release on July 21, with the goal of expanding access to educational opportunities for New York City students of color and promoting diversity within the field of journalism.
The press release highlights the lack of diversity in newsrooms, referring to it as a deep-rooted issue in journalism. The Adams administration has already begun discussions with leading journalism schools across the country to explore ways to effectively promote this initiative.
According to Mayor Adams, the scholarship program will support students from New York City in their efforts to address the inequities seen in newsrooms. The press release emphasizes that increasing the diversity of the industry will ensure that more New Yorkers can join this vital field, which holds those in power accountable.
The scholarships will be funded through donations to the "Diversity in Journalism Fund," which is part of the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City. The Mayor's Fund is a nonprofit organization that collaborates with numerous other entities, both private and governmental, to bring about positive changes in the city.
The Mayor's Fund aims to advance initiatives that improve the lives of residents in all five boroughs of New York City. Its website states that it seeks to support evidence-based models that offer solutions to the city's challenges.
Among the donors to the Mayor's Fund is the Open Society Foundations, founded by left-wing mega-donor George Soros. The foundation has been featured in the fund's donor spotlight. Additionally, Jonathan Soros and his wife Jennifer, through their organization, the Jennifer & Jonathan Allan Soros Foundation, also contribute to the Mayor's Fund.
In addition to the Diversity in Journalism Fund, the Mayor's Fund has undertaken other diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. One such initiative is the Diversity Initiative, which aims to increase the diversity of staff and boards within New York City's cultural and community organizations.
Mayor Adams' announcement of the scholarship program reflects a commitment to addressing the lack of diversity in journalism and providing opportunities for students of color to enter the field. By partnering with leading journalism schools and leveraging the support of organizations like the Open Society Foundations, the Mayor's Fund is working to create a more inclusive and representative media landscape in New York City.
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