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Truth is… Poynter is a global leader in journalism because of caring individuals like you. Thank you for believing in our mission and entrusting us with your support. In this monthly newsletter, you’ll see how your generosity helps Poynter cover every angle, inspire young writers and empower journalists to report the truth.
Your contributions enable Poynter to:
Explore the media’s role in America’s vaccination rate
President Joe Biden walks off after speaking about the COVID-19 vaccination program earlier this month. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

COVID-19 cases are rising across America while vaccination rates are dropping. In this report ([link removed]) , Poynter’s Tom Jones looks at the reasons why people in large numbers are not getting vaccinated, and finds politics and media organizations as factors in the root of that decision.

Jones writes, “At the center of why people aren’t getting vaccinated has a lot to do with their political view and where they are getting their information — or, I should say, misinformation.”
As Poynter continues to monitor this evolving pandemic, we thank individuals like you who support our efforts to combat the spread of misinformation through ethical, fact-based journalism.

Create opportunities for young writers to shine
Graduates of Poynter’s 2019 Write Field program. The 2020 and 2021 graduation ceremonies were virtual due to COVID-19.

The Poynter Institute’s Write Field ([link removed]) is designed to empower African American and Hispanic boys to achieve academic success and hone their writing skills with the help of professional journalists as their mentors. A few weeks ago, we celebrated the graduates of the program’s 10th year with their families and special guests.

Thirty-eight young men from middle and high schools across Tampa Bay participated in this free school-year-long program co-led by seasoned journalists Demorris Lee and Ernest Hooper. While the curriculum was adapted for a virtual classroom throughout the pandemic, the impact stretched beyond computer screens.

The group met online each month throughout the school year to practice critical communication skills needed to succeed in school, work and life. They also connected with celebrity guests and prominent leaders including Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Wesley Lowery, popular comic book innovator Jimmy Palmiotti, teen novelist Sarah Frank and Tampa Bay Rays World Series hero Brett Phillips. The boys completed writing assignments for each class, including stories about the Rays pitcher and an interview with St. Petersburg’s mayor. Their best work will be published in a book.
Poynter thanks Rays Baseball Foundation, the City of St. Petersburg, Duke Energy, Suncoast Credit Union and Wells Fargo Foundation for their support of the Write Field program, as well as individual donors including M. Diane Hodson, PhD, JD, who has supported the program since its founding. Thank you!

Report the truth despite the hate
(Jayden Simelda-Longe/Poynter)

Zainab Iqbal is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn, New York, who shares her experience as a Muslim woman covering diversity in this compelling piece ([link removed]) that was recently featured in The Collective ([link removed]) , Poynter’s newsletter by journalists of color for journalists of color and allies.

While on assignment, Iqbal was shocked when a woman approached her and made Islamophobic remarks.

Iqbal writes, “I was stunned. I couldn’t seem to comprehend what she asked. I stood there, and she stood there, too, staring at me, as if daring me to answer.”

Iqbal’s encounter with hate demonstrates an urgent need to diversify voices in the media.

“Representation matters so much, in every industry, but particularly this one,” Iqbal says. “We have a duty to tell all these stories of so many people who don’t fit the John and Jane Doe profiles. We have an obligation to tell the stories of people who look like us — of communities who were ignored or only written about to fit an agenda.”
Thank you to the Tegna Foundation for awarding Poynter a grant to launch The Collective newsletter.

Cover every angle of UNC’s treatment of Nikole Hannah-Jones
Nikole Hannah-Jones. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

University of North Carolina hesitated to grant Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones’ tenure despite her undeniably profound impact as a reporter on racial injustice. While the school’s faculty, students and alumni expressed their support, the nation witnessed UNC fumble her appointment after donor and school namesake Walter Hussman provoked doubt. Poynter covered the story from many angles. Check out this passionate take from Poynter columnist Tom Jones ([link removed]) . Some more outstanding reads from Poynter.org ([link removed]) include Kristen Hare’s piece ([link removed]) on the local reporter who broke the news, Rick Edmond’s interview
([link removed]) with Hussman and Barbara Allen and Amaris Castillo’s article ([link removed]) that captures the reactions from UNC’s campus, Howard University and others.
Poynter's nonprofit newsroom relies on support from donors like you. Thank you for helping us provide context and clarity during complicated news events.

Connect citizens to the journalists covering the biggest stories of the day
Miles O’Brien during Poynter’s first Speaker Series event of 2021, coming to us “live” on Zoom from his vacation in Michigan

Poynter hosts events to connect supporters to the professionals reporting the moment’s groundbreaking news. From virtual conversations to private receptions, event proceeds support Poynter’s innovative training programs and vision for the future of journalism.

Thank you to everyone who joined us on July 13 for An Evening with Miles O’Brien ([link removed]) , chief science correspondent for PBS NewsHour and award-winning independent journalist, to discuss aviation’s race against climate change. Special thanks to the Frank E. Duckwall Foundation, The Tampa Bay Trust Company, Duke Energy, WEDU and Tampa Bay Times for sponsoring this event.

SAVE THE DATE: On Sept. 30, Poynter and the First Amendment Foundation will host an evening with Marty Baron, Pulitzer Prize-winning American journalist and editor who recently retired as executive editor of The Washington Post, to discuss the importance of freedom of information and celebrate outstanding journalism in Florida-based newsrooms. Tickets will be available soon. Contact us (mailto:[email protected]) for sponsorship opportunities.
And bookmark poynter.org/events ([link removed]) to learn about all of our upcoming events.

Thank you for being the heart of the matter.
This newsletter comes to you from the staff at Poynter. Please consider making another meaningful contribution today ([link removed]) so we can keep you informed tomorrow.

Our Poynter Foundation Board

Brian Tierney, CEO, Brian Communications
Ramon Bosquez, President, The Bosquez Group, LLC
Michael Dreyer, President, Tampa Bay Trust Company
Frank “Sandy” Rief III, Attorney, Allen Dell, Attorneys at Law
Michael P. Silver, Attorney, Shutts & Bowen LLP
and
Paul C. Tash, Chairman and CEO of the Times Publishing Company and Chairman of Poynter’s Board of Trustees

Poynter is looking for additional supporters who would like to join our Foundation Board. If you’re interested, contact Wendy Wallace, director of advancement, at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) .

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