(C) Verite News New Orleans This story was originally published by Verite News New Orleans and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Verite welcomes newsroom fellows class for 2024-25 [1] ['Verite News', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width', 'Vertical-Align Bottom .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Vertical-Align Middle .Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar Is .Alignleft .Alignright'] Date: 2024-06-10 The 2024-25 Verite News fellows: John Gray, Arielle Robinson and Safura Syed. Verite News is welcoming its third class of newsroom fellows this month as part of its mission to train the next generation of minority journalists. Recent college graduates John Gray, Arielle Robinson and Safura Syed will work as full-time reporters as part of the one-year fellowship program that includes on-the-job training, mentorship as well as educational and career-building opportunities. The fellows will work side-by-side with a growing staff of veteran reporters as the nonprofit, independent news organization pursues a mission to examine the inequities facing underserved communities in New Orleans and beyond. “Perhaps now more than ever, the journalism industry has shown a need for newsrooms that facilitate the training of young journalists of color,” Verite News Executive Director David Francis said. “We are honored to be able to play a role in diversifying the industry and giving early-career storytellers a chance to start their careers in a city that’s filled with unique stories and challenges.” Verite launched in late July 2022 and has since expanded to an editorial staff of 12, including reporters covering climate and the environment, criminal justice and city government. Assistant Managing Editor Drew Costley, a veteran journalist who first joined the newsroom as a senior reporter covering health and the environment, will oversee the fellowship program. “Two years of running a fellowship program has taught us a lot of lessons that we’re excited to apply to aid in the growth and development of the next generation of minority journalists,” Verite News Editor-in-Chief Terry Baquet said. “This year’s class of fellows bring with them a diverse set of reporting interests and strong foundation of skills and talent that will be a big help in reporting on greater New Orleans.” Verite’s mission is to elevate voices from communities that have been historically dismissed or ignored by creating thoughtful, solution-based coverage on crucial topics such as education, housing, health care, criminal justice, the environment and politics. Meet the fellows John Gray is a recent graduate of Morehouse College, with a degree in Political Science and a minor in journalism. Gray has a passion for investigative journalism and social justice. He has worked with the Atlanta Falcons media team and reported on various happenings throughout Atlanta as a college student. Hailing from Charlotte, North Carolina, Gray has a diverse set of skills attained from various experiences. He is fluent in French, adept at public speaking, and musically trained. Gray is eager to learn more and report about the inner workings of New Orleans and its rich culture. Arielle Robinson comes to Verite News from Atlanta, Georgia. She was recently part of ProPublica’s 2023-24 cohort of Emerging Reporter fellows and has freelanced for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Cobb County Courier. Robinson previously interned at CNN’s The Row, working alongside CNN editors and researchers to fact-check news. Before that, she served as president of her university’s chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Robinson first got her start in journalism through her university newspaper, The Sentinel. Robinson graduated from Kennesaw State University with a degree in international affairs and minor in gender and women’s studies. Safura Syed is a Metro Detroit native and graduate of the University of Michigan, holding dual degrees in creative writing and ecology and evolutionary biology. Syed worked on The Michigan Daily and served as the managing editor for Michigan in Color. She has previously interned at WDIV, a Detroit-based NBC broadcast affiliate. Passionate about storytelling and the environment, Syed aims to investigate inequities related to climate and race. Join Verite’s Mailing List | Get the news that matters to you Related Republish This Story Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license. [END] --- [1] Url: https://veritenews.org/2024/06/10/verite-news-fellowship-program-class-of-2024-25/ Published and (C) by Verite News New Orleans Content appears here under this condition or license: Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 US. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/veritenews/