Over the last decade, our systems for freely sharing and accessing information have been systemically dismantled. The war on inclusive narratives and essential news began with public officials attacking traditional media, found its way into digital spaces with the spreading of mis- and disinformation and the suppression of political speech on social media, and then circled back to traditional media with a big blow: the federal defunding and gutting of public media.
In a recent piece published in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Borealis’ Director of the Racial Equity in Journalism Fund Alicia Bell and VP of Programs alvin starks explore the deep and existential implications of this defunding and the subsequent closure of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
“An attack on information access,” they wrote, “[is] another step in the dangerous unraveling of the nation’s fragile democracy.”
Democracy, by its very nature, can only exist and thrive when communities are active participants in it. And community-rooted and -serving media enables and strengthens civic participation by dispelling harmful narratives with holistic and humane truths, and by delivering information that helps communities navigate our complex political system and connect to the long history of our struggle for freedom.
We uplift that struggle every Black August, a time for folks to study past rebellion, focus on new communal learning, and recommit to building a world where all Black people can access safety and joy. In the spirit of communal and continued learning, we’re honored to highlight political education offerings from some of our media and narrative change grantee partners.
PushBlack hosts Black History Year, a podcast of weekly feature-length episodes and daily shorts called “2 Minute Black History,” which has recently covered community safety, generational grief and trauma, and surveillance.
Documented NYC compiled a Guide of Resources for Immigrants, answering questions where immigration status, economic inclusion, and wellbeing intersect, like: Where can I leave my kids while I’m at work? What do I do if I can’t pay a medical bill? What if my landlord is threatening me with eviction? How can I get gender-affirming care? The guide connects immigrants and undocumented people to financial assistance and legal aid.
Media Justice‘s Deeper Than A Div/de Viewing Guide explores the digital divide in the Black Rural South through the community of Utica, Mississippi, which is navigating the post-pandemic remote, online world without internet access. This guide provides context, resources, and questions to help facilitate conversations in other communities experiencing the digital divide.
Outlier Media created a comprehensive guide covering everything from what’s on the ballot to where to register to vote in this year’s Detroit primary election. The guide even includes a handy—and fun—Meet Your Mayor quiz that matches respondents with candidates who share their views on safety, affordability, housing, transportation, and more.
Scalawag published The Press in Prison, an abolitionist guidebook for journalism by, from, and for incarcerated people. It features insights from incarcerated writers and their editors. We also recommend Scalawag’s Race & Place page, featuring coverage on segregation, gentrification, nutrition, migration, liberation, and more, as related to the Southern Black experience.
TransLash Media‘s Legislation Dashboard tracks the more than 700 anti-trans bills introduced in U.S. legislative bodies this year, breaking them down by state, subject (bathrooms, sports, healthcare, education), and current status.
Epicenter NYC hosts Making It Here, a weekly podcast featuring in-depth coverage of the week’s top stories. Recent episodes covered the New York City primaries, the different impacts of the Big Beautiful Bill for city residents, and the change in work requirements for those covered by Medicaid.
The Black Future Newstand is a traveling art installation that has visited New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, igniting conversations around media representation by asking the question: What does a media that loves Black people look, feel and sound like in a future where reparations are real?
To join a network of donors supporting the efforts of these orgs and our national cohort of community-rooted and -serving media, connect with our team at development@borealisphilanthropy.org.