The Indianapolis Recorder will add a journalist focused on the Black church and its role in the community as part of a partnership with Report for America, a national program that places emerging journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered topics and communities.
The Recorder was chosen as one of nearly 70 host newsrooms across the country. Selections were partly based on newsrooms that defined the most compelling gaps in coverage.
Report for America is a two-year program, with an option for three years. The cost is shared between the program and each newsroom. Report for America also provides training and mentorship.
“Yes, local news is in crisis — but this batch of newsrooms also fills us with tremendous hope,” Steven Waldman, president and co-founder of Report for America, said in a statement. “Newsrooms across the country are pushing to cover essential local beats like schools and rural areas, at the same time they try to better represent all of the people in their communities.”
Information about how to apply is at reportforamerica.org. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 31, 2022, but those who apply before Dec. 31 will receive early consideration. Those hired become employees of their respective newsrooms June 1, 2022.
