Equitable Cities Reporting Fellowship

Next City seeks a talented journalist for a one-year reporting fellowship based in Richmond, Virginia. This fellowship, in partnership with Virginia Public Media (VPM), is designed to bring underrepresented voices to the forefront of the conversation about cities and their future. People of color, 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.

Ideal candidates for this Equitable Cities Fellowship are early in their careers, have a demonstrated interest in urban policy, and published clips that demonstrate deft reporting on racial inequality and how it affects marginalized communities in a U.S. city or cities. You will help tell the important stories of a city grappling with its history as the capital of the Confederacy and the diaspora that resulted. Ideal candidates understand the uniqueness of the city and greater Richmond area.

Within the framework of equity and justice, we’ll encourage you to follow your passion as you pitch and contribute each week to reporting by Next City and VPM — whether that’s covering reparative work happening to address the racial wealth gap, food deserts, environmental justice, social determinants of health or small business growth.

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 immediately and will work with Next City editors remotely, while you are based in Richmond in the newsroom of our partner organization, VPM. The fellowship includes a stipend for use on expenses, membership to the professional journalism organization of your choice, or professional development and thought leadership. A separate stipend covers expenses related to the wellness support necessary to cover a beat such as this.

Qualifications include:

— A degree in journalism or communications is preferred but not required

— Two-plus years of professional writing experience

— Strong and demonstrated interest in Richmond, Virginia and the region

— 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

To apply, please submit:

a cover letter, a resume;

links to three published articles, preferably including at least one demonstrating your reporting on urban policy or a prevalent challenge facing U.S. cities today;

Two pitches for Next City stories that focus on Richmond. 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’s mission-driven 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 people working together to change something or explore a new model addressing the challenge at hand.

Email your materials to info@nextcity.org with the subject line “Equitable Cities Reporting Fellowship - Richmond.”