Power of Diverse Voices empowers BIPOC journalists to find their voice and build skills. Plus, get personal with 'America's writing coach.'

'Undoubtedly the most powerful — even magical — thing I've ever been involved with'

Tom Huang, center, back, at Power of Diverse Voices in 2022. (Photo by Chris Kozlowski)

Tom Huang isn't prone to hyperbole, but he has high praise for Poynter's Power of Diverse Voices: Writing Workshop for Journalists of Color.

"In my 35 years in journalism, this workshop is undoubtedly the most powerful — even magical — thing I've ever been involved with," said Huang, assistant managing editor for journalism initiatives at The Dallas Morning News.

Six years ago, he was asked to reinvent this longstanding editorial writing seminar, he said, so he prepared sessions, recruited guest faculty and selected a group of writers to attend.

Then, he said, something unexpected happened.

"When the first class came together, under the guidance of a diverse faculty, we felt a deep kinship. An understanding of what it's like to be not seen and not heard and not understood. I could see these writers blossom and find their voice in just a few days.

"I love leading Poynter's Power of Diverse Voices," Huang said. "Instead of simply teaching craft, I get to create a compassionate, caring and creative community of writers who feel safe being vulnerable while sharing, and writing about, their greatest joys and sorrows, all through the lens of their cultural backgrounds."

Read below for more details on Power of Diverse Voices and other Poynter trainings designed to bring out the enthusiast in you.

FEATURED TRAINING

Power of Diverse Voices: Writing Workshop for Journalists of Color

In person, Nov. 15-18, St. Petersburg, Florida

This transformative, four-day seminar helps journalists of color find their voices and build skills for writing opinion pieces and personal essays.

With the support of expert instructors and fellow journalists of color, you’ll develop the confidence and skills to share your unique perspective in persuasive writing. You will learn both through instruction as well as intensive coaching in small writing groups. You will focus on fact-based opinion writing — and using social media to spark a conversation — across platforms.

This seminar will take place at Poynter’s campus in St. Petersburg, Florida, and will feature teaching sessions, small group workshops and daily writing time. Apply by Sept. 15.

Cost: Free.

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Roy Peter Clark, "America's writing coach," is the next expert featured in Beat Academy.

Beat Academy: Writing Tips for Beat Reporters

Webinars, July 27 and Aug. 3, 1-2:30 p.m. Eastern

In our next two Beat Academy sessions, participants will hear tips from "America's writing coach" Roy Peter Clark on writing while covering a beat. Clark has taught writing at Poynter since 1979 and is the author or editor of 18 books.

Beat Academy webinars represent 18 different sessions across eight topics that are critical to journalism right now. You can attend/watch/replay as many or as few sessions as you need. Get access to experts and journalists who are on the cutting edge of evolving beats like climate change, criminal justice and immigration.

Cost: $75.

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Covering Climate Change Science and Policy in a Polarized World

In-person seminar, Arlington, Virginia, Aug. 29, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

This free one-day, in-person workshop sponsored by RAND Corporation — a nonprofit, nonpartisan global research organization in Arlington — will give journalists access to and information from some of the nation’s leading climate change analysts.

Get expert help navigating the complex landscape of climate change science and policy in this one-day masterclass, while also exploring resources and tools that can deeply inform and improve your reporting. Topics include new technology to reduce carbon emissions, assessing decarbonization policy and more.

Participants will not only receive practical lessons in climate reporting, but also have free coffee, lunch and happy hour.

Cost: Free, thanks to RAND Corporation.

Executive Leadership Summit

Online program, Oct. 18-20

Poynter’s 2023 Executive Leadership Summit will provide the space, tools and connections to help you prioritize your vision and values as a leader. This is your chance to surround yourself with a small cohort of other executive leaders who are experiencing the same media leadership challenges you are — and discover solutions together. Poynter faculty Sitara Nieves and Cheryl Carpenter will help you reflect, reset and focus on your priorities.

Participants will convene online Oct. 18-20, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern. Each session will kick off with a keynote speaker, followed by an exploration of leadership topics, guided group discussions, self-assessment activities and purposeful breaks. Up to a month after the program concludes, you’ll have the opportunity to schedule a one-hour personalized coaching session with an executive coach to continue to focus on your leadership.

Apply as soon as possible. Acceptance is rolling and space is limited. The final deadline to apply is Monday, Aug. 14.

Cost: $2,000.

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UPCOMING TRAINING

Lead with Influence
Online group seminar, Nov. 6-27
This four-session virtual workshop is especially designed to help women and nonbinary journalists in the industry use their social capital to lead with influence. Cost: $600. Apply now.

Level Up: Critical Skills for Local Reporters
Online group seminar, Oct. 3-Nov. 14
This weekly interactive program will provide reporters with the most relevant and practical skills needed to boost their reporting expertise and drive their professional development. Master-class level instruction on key concepts includes reporting and writing, investigations, trauma-informed interviewing, fact-checking and self-editing. Cost: $750. Apply now.

Will Work for Impact: Fundamentals of Investigative Journalism
Online group seminar, Oct. 2-30
Led by ProPublica deputy managing editor Alexandra Zayas, this jam-packed course will empower you to access information that isn’t available to the public; utilize the power of human reporting; construct an investigative story around findings to make a powerful case; and learn strategies you can employ, before and after publication, to help your story make a difference. Cost: $399. Enroll now.

Strength in Numbers: How to Use CDC Data to Upgrade Your Mental Health Reporting
Webinar, Aug. 30, 1-2:30 p.m. Eastern
During this free 90-minute webinar, journalists will get an overview of CDC-maintained public databases and learn how to use them to access national-, state- and county-level injury and death data, including deaths by suicide, gun violence and more. Cost: Free. Enroll now.

EVENTS

The Bowtie Ball, Honoring Anderson Cooper
In-person gala, Nov. 18 in Tampa, Florida
The Bowtie Ball is Poynter’s largest annual celebration of journalistic excellence that recognizes the contributions of the brightest and liveliest minds in the industry to democracies worldwide. Learn how to get first dibs on tickets or secure your tickets by becoming a gala sponsor today!