Does Pete Hegseth Know What He’s Talking About?
RTDNA Needs Judges for Radio, Spanish-Language News
April 9: Local News Day
April 9: ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Impact on Black Households
April 12: Diana R. Fuentes Celebration in San Antonio
April 13: Deadline for Business-Scholarship Application
April 14: AI — What Universities Should Consider
April 14: From ONA: Navigating Your Next Move After a Layoff
April 16: In D.C., Black Journalists Tell Their Stories
April 16: Webinar Spotlights Community Broadcasting
April 17: Environmental Journalists of Color Convene in Chicago
April 18: Arlington, Va., Reenactment of 1842 Slavery Trial
April 20: Deadline to Apply for Eugene Pulliam Fellowship
April 20-26: DC Climate Week
April 22: Hampton University Public Forum
April 23: Press Freedom Week- Georgetown University
April 27-May 1: Press Freedom Week — Associated Press
April 28: How J-Collaborations Can Write Strong Grant Proposals
April 29: Pitch Session in New York for Black Stories
May 4: Media Day for Center for Black Excellence
May 6: Tickets on Sale for Obama Presidential Center
May 6-12: New York African Film Festival 2026
May 11-June 7: Combating Disinformation in English and Spanish
June 9: SPJ-DC Honors Its New Hall of Famers
From New York: Media Watch
JOBS
From these journalist organizations
National Association of Hispanic Journalists
National Association of Black Journalists
Asian American Journalists Association
Poynter Institute
Society of Professional Journalists
Public Media Jobs.
Online News Association
Rebecca Aguilar’s Journalism Job Openings: “The April List”
From Online News Association (April 2)
From the Maynard Institute
From the Uproot Project
From the Disabled Journalists Association (via the Maynard Institute)
Homepage photo credit: U.S. Marine Corps
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s chief of staff told the secretary of the Army that Trump “would not want to stand next to a Black female officer at military events,” according to The New York Times. April Ryan and Kyle Bibby discuss March 27 on MS NOW”s “All In With Chris Hayes.” (Credit: MS NOW’s “All In with Chris Hayes.”)
Does Pete Hegseth Know What He’s Talking About?
Greg Jaffe, Eric Schmitt, Helene Cooper and Adam Entous reported March 27 for The New York Times that “Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is blocking the promotion of four Army officers to be one-star generals, a highly unusual move that has prompted some senior military officials to question whether the officers are being singled out because of their race or gender.
“Two of the officers targeted by Mr. Hegseth are Black and two are women on a promotion list that consists of about three dozen officers, most of whom are white men, senior military officials said. . . .”
That evening on MS NOW’s “All In With Chris Hayes,” veteran journalist April Ryan said, “Think about who has been in the military from almost the inception of this nation when we were fighting wars.
“It`s enslaved Africans. You cannot erase that history. And [Harry S] Truman was the first president to officially integrate the wars. African Americans have been fighting in U.S. wars since before the Civil War. So, they need to get their history right and figure out what they`re going to do because you can`t change this history. The facts are the facts.”
Our next Roundtable takes place by Zoom on Tuesday, April 21, at 7 p.m. Eastern. We plan to look at those facts: “”What people of color have done for the military: Does Pete Hegseth Know What He’s Talking About?
Our panelists are:
Emil Guillermo, columnist who has written about Asian Americans in the military, here, for example, and here. (Credit: Sharon Farmer)
Leslie M. Harris, history professor, Northwestern University, who dissected Black participation in the American Revolution last year for the Boston Globe. (scroll down)
Jesse W. Lewis Jr., who covered the war in Vietnam for the Washington Post from December 1966 to late April 1967 and wrote a three-part series on the Black GI.
Ron Nixon, longtime journalist and Marine Corps veteran, board member of Military Veterans in Journalism.
Cheryl W. Thompson, investigative correspondent for National Public Radio, associate professor of journalism at George Washington University and author of the recently published “Forgotten Souls: The Search for the Lost Tuskegee Airmen.” (Her dad was one.)
Maggie Rivas-Rodriguez, journalism professor at the University of Texas-Austin, who founded the Voces Oral History Project (formerly the U.S. Latino and Latina World War II Oral History Project) in 1999, which has videotaped interviews with more than 960 men and women throughout the country.
Also in the room:
Maxine Holland, director for the Veterans Committee of Central Virginia, which commemorates the African American military experience.
Who’s in?
You can RSVP by hitting “reply” to this message or emailing jroundtable5 (at) gmail.com
Zoom information comes after RSVPs.
- Gordon Lubold and Courtney Kube, NBC News: Hegseth has intervened in military promotions for more than a dozen senior officers: The defense secretary’s efforts to block or delay promotions to general or admiral for some officers has raised concerns that he may be targeting them because of race, gender or affiliation with the Biden administration, sources say. (April 2, updated April 3)
RTDNA Needs Judges for Radio, Spanish-Language News
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April 9: Local News Day
A National Day of Action Connecting Communities with Trusted Local News
Americans overwhelmingly say that local news and information is the most important and most trusted source they rely on. On April 9, 2026, Local News Day will help millions reconnect with the local outlets that strengthen our communities, keep us informed, and hold leaders accountable.
April 9: ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Impact on Black Households
We invite you to join the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies on Thurs. April 9, 2026, at 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM for the Taxing Consumption and Work: The Cost to Black Households webinar.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R.1) makes major changes to the federal tax code with implications that extend well beyond Washington. As federal revenue shifts and intergovernmental fiscal pressures intensify, states are likely to face renewed budget constraints which often lead to greater reliance on consumption taxes, fees, and other regressive revenue tools.
This cost shift translates into higher everyday expenses, from sales taxes and transportation costs to utility fees and local property tax pressures. Black households are particularly exposed to these shifts due to longstanding disparities in income and wealth and because state and local tax structures rely heavily on taxing work and consumption rather than accumulated wealth. . . . (From Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies)
April 12: Diana R. Fuentes Celebration in San Antonio
April 13: Deadline for Business-Scholarship Application
Credit: enterpriseAI.com
April 14: : AI — What Universities Should Consider
https://electionsecurity.usc.
https://adampowell3.substack.
April 14: From ONA: Navigating Your Next Move After a Layoff
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Zoom (link in confirmation email)
From Online News Association: Whether you’re currently experiencing the stress of being laid off or you are concerned about the possibility at your newsroom, suddenly losing your job can be a frightening, isolating experience.
Join journalist and Career River creator Bridget Thoreson for a one-hour virtual gathering designed to transform that concern into clarity. Bridget will share what she’s learned from interviewing 150+ professionals and training more than 1,900 people in 106 countries on how to successfully navigate moments of uncertainty or the unexpected in their careers.
Sam Fulwood III, humanities scholar for Story District’s Behind the Headlines program, and Amy Saidman, artistic executive director, explain the program last June at an outdoor fund-raiser for Journal-isms. (Credit: Shevry Lassiter)
April 16: In D.C., Black Journalists Tell Their Stories
Black journalists have always been on the frontlines, telling the stories that shape our communities, shining light on the unseen, and holding power accountable. Reporting by Black journalists uncovers perspectives mainstream media often misses, distorts, and suppresses.
Yet across the country, major outlets are pushing Black journalists out, often abruptly and in large numbers — removing the very voices that bring essential stories and perspectives to the public.
We see the headlines. We read the stories. But rarely do we hear what it takes to report them.
In this show, DC’s Black journalists step out from behind the byline and onto the stage to share the stories behind the stories — the moments that changed them, the stories they fought to report, and what it takes to keep telling the truth when it matters most.
These are true, personal stories about chasing stories that matter, navigating newsrooms, and holding onto your voice in an industry that doesn’t always make space for your perspective.
Amy Seideman, artistic executive director, says, “I’ve also created a discount code [Journal-isms] for your members in case you’d like to share it:
“Journal-isms for $5 off tickets https://www.
In addition, the Washington Association of Black Journalists is hosting a pre-show mixer at Penn Social (the same venue) an hour before the event. 6:30 pm.
Event Details
When: Thursday, April 16, 2026
Where: Penn Social, 801 E Street NW
Doors open at 6:30 PM and the show begins at 7:30 PM.
The venue is wheelchair accessible. ASL interpretation available.
April 16: Webinar Spotlights Community Broadcasting
The National Federation for Community Broadcasters will host a webinar on April 16 to spotlight Radio Marneuli, a community media outlet in Georgia and serves one of the country’s most ethnically diverse regions. In this webinar, Radio Marneuli will talk about Georgia’s multi-ethnic and multi-lingual society, the connections between community media and democracy, and the challenges of working in Georgia’s current political landscape.
April 17: Environmental Journalists of Color Convene in Chicago
Friday, April 17th, 5:30-7:30pm
The Press Room (1134 W. Washington)
The Uproot Project is pleased to bring together its members for an evening of connection, celebration, and community.
Held alongside the SEJ [Society of Environmental Journalists] conference, the Uproot Project National Convening brings together environmental journalists of color for an evening of connection, celebration, and community. This happy hour gathering offers Uproot members the opportunity to meet in person, strengthen relationships across newsrooms and regions, and celebrate the impactful reporting being produced by journalists of color across the field. Drinks and light bites will be served.
An original scripted reenactment brings history alive
Join Arlington Public Library and Arlington Historical Society for an original performance depicting an 1842 trial — Julia Roberts v. Austin Adams and Anne Harding — in which Julia Roberts (pictured), an enslaved woman, sues to win her freedom. Julia Sues for Freedom is a partnership between the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington and Guillotine Theatre, with the support of the Arlington Historical Society.
Be part of the story, be part of the jury! We will be asking attendees to be part of the jury — just let us know when you arrive.
Catherine Aselford is the Artistic Director of Guillotine Theatre, which presents classic plays and plays based on classic literature. She is a member of the Arlington Historical Society’s Advisory Board. Catherine constructed this script based on original documents, notes on the testimony from the 1842 trial, and research by Jessica Kaplan, Zachary Newkirk, and the Memorializing the Enslaved in Arlington team.
REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED. By registering you will receive event updates.
For more information contact LibraryPrograms (at) arlingtonva.us
April 20: Deadline to Apply for Eugene Pulliam Fellowship
From American Press Institute: Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship for Public Service Journalism: The Society of Professional Journalists Foundation offers this fellowship to support a mid-career journalist pursuing in-depth, fact-based commentary or analysis projects. Fellows may use up to $100,000 for study, research or travel and are expected to produce published work. Applicants must have at least three years of experience and demonstrate strong analytical writing. The application deadline is April 20.
April 20-26: DC Climate Week
April 22: Hampton University Public Forum
In-person only. Join us for the State of the Media event at Scripps Howard School of Journalism & Communications at Hampton University, where industry professionals will discuss the evolving media landscape, emerging trends, and what it means for the next generation of journalists and communicators.
April 23: Press Freedom Week — Georgetown University
The State of World Press Freedom will focus on emerging threats to journalists and independent media worldwide in a wide-ranging conversation with leading international journalists and experts, led by veteran New York Times correspondent Lulu Garcia-Navarro (SFek S’94) and featuring journalists and leading voices in this space. The event will draw on themes and advance highlights from the annual Press Freedom Index produced by researchers at the international nonprofit Reporters sans frontières/Reporters Without Borders, ahead of the report’s full release the following week on World Press Freedom Day.
Featured guests include:
- Jason Rezaian, The Washington Post’s Press Freedom Desk
- Roxana Saberi, former CBS correspondent
- Clayton Weimers, Reporters sans frontières/Reporters Without Borders U.S. executive director
April 27-May 1: Press Freedom Week — Associated Press
Join us for a weeklong series of conversations designed to take you behind the scenes of how independent journalism really works and why it matters.
Together, we’ll explore how journalists secure access, stand up for their independence and hold powerful institutions accountable on behalf of the public — and what’s at stake when that work is challenged.
Be part of these candid conversations about the future of press freedom, the responsibility that comes with reporting freely and the daily work required to keep a free press strong.
Sessions
Why Press Freedom Matters
Mon, Apr 27, 2026 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM EDT
By nearly any measure, press freedom around the world has been rapidly deteriorating in recent years. 2025 was the deadliest year on record for journalists and media workers, and at least 323 journalists are imprisoned worldwide, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
In this roundtable, the executive editors of the AP and Los Angeles Times will speak with the CEO of CPJ about how their organizations are working to safeguard press freedom, why independent journalism is necessary to serve the public and what’s at stake when this fundamental freedom is challenged.
Sessions
April 28: How J-Collaborations Write Strong Grant Proposals
Join us April 28 to learn how you can move past the intimidation of writing strong and successful grant proposals for your journalism collaborative. Whether you’re going after your first grant or your 50th, it can be intimidating to sit down and write that proposal. Learn best practices for writing them and how collaboratives can adapt a proposal to meet their needs and a funders’ needs.
You’ll also learn how to navigate the changing funding landscape and what it means for local journalism. 
Leading the webinar will be Sarah Lee (pictured), marketing and audience for the Fetzer Institute.
Sarah specializes in nonprofit strategy with deep expertise in journalism collaboratives and sustainable funding models. She founded and led the Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative, securing $150,000 in grants and helping media partners produce 26 stories across five newsrooms. As former vice president of Marketing & Communications at Kalamazoo Community Foundation, she guided strategy for an organization with $600 million in assets and a $14 million annual budget.
Sarah is based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and helps journalism collaboratives build funding strategies, write compelling grant proposals, and strengthen organizational capacity.
April 29: Pitch Session in New York for Black Stories
Black Public Media brings back PitchBLACK, the nation’s largest pitching session for Black stories on April 29 at The Apollo Stages at the Victoria — despite devastating cuts to public media by Congress last year that clawed back $1.8 million that had been allocated to BPM. Five documentary film and five immersive projects will compete in this ninth edition of PitchBLACK, with the biggest prize being $150,000 in production funds. The event, which is sponsored by Netflix and Andscape, draws a who’s who of public media and commercial media executives.At our Feb. 6, 2023, Journal-isms Roundtable at American University, the Rev. Alex Gee introduced us to plans for a Center for Black Excellence and Culture in Madison, Wis. (42:58 in this video <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xegpENXEGbs>). The Center remains open to ideas on how to incorporate journalism training into the facility. Here, WMTV in Madison tells viewers that the center is nearing its spring opening.
May 4: Media Day for Center for Black Excellence
| Hello,
On May 6, Madison will mark a major community milestone with the opening of The Center for Black Excellence and Culture. Built in a historically Black neighborhood and shaped by years of grassroots leadership, the Center is a 37,000-square-foot, $32 million permanent home for culture, wellness, education, and economic empowerment — opening two years after its Juneteenth groundbreaking. Founder Rev. Dr. Alex Gee is available for pre-opening interviews to discuss the community-led effort behind the Center, what it took to make this vision possible, and what communities nationwide can learn from this approach. If you’re interested, I can share background and help coordinate an interview ahead of May 6. We’re also inviting media to an embargoed Media Day on Monday, May 4, for a preview tour of the space and scheduled interviews ahead of the May 6 grand opening. If you’d like to attend, I can share details and coordinate access. . . . Thank you, Ana Medina, on behalf of The Center For Black Excellence and Culture |
May 6: Tickets on Sale for Obama Presidential Center
The Obama Foundation announced Monday that Museum tickets will go on sale for Founding Members starting April 21st, with ticket sales for the general public beginning May 6th. Illinois residents will be able to visit the Museum for free on Tuesdays, with those timed-entry tickets for residents starting June 23rd.
The vast majority of the Center’s campus is free and will open to the public on June 19th. This includes a playground, a branch of the Chicago Public Library, gardens, walking trails, 28 newly commissioned artworks, panoramic views of the surrounding South Side neighborhood and Lake Michigan from the Sky Room, and more — all designed to bring people together and inspire them to bring change home to their communities. . . .
The museum has not responded to inquiries about press events or accommodations.
May 6–12: New York African Film Festival 2026
Film at Lincoln Center (FLC) and African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) present the 33rd edition of the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF), showcasing African and Diaspora filmmakers’ unique storytelling through the moving image since 1993. NYAFF will spotlight 14 contemporary and classic feature films and 25 short films, screening at FLC from May 6 through May 12, with the festival continuing at other esteemed New York City cultural venues throughout the month of May. Many filmmakers will be in attendance for post-screening Q&As.
May 11-June 7: Combating Disinformation in English, Spanish
With artificial intelligence transforming the way information circulates and accelerating content creation, how can journalists, fact-checkers, and communicators stay alert to disinformation and work more effectively?
Learn to identify, analyze, and combat AI-generated disinformation in the course “Combating Disinformation in the Age of AI,” produced by the Knight Center in collaboration with Lupa, running from May 11 to June 7, 2026. Instructors Cristina Tardáguila and Raphael Kapa will guide you through theory, real-world examples, and practical exercises to strengthen your skills in fact-checking and producing reliable information.
In this four-week course, you will explore how disinformation and misleading information spread exponentially with the use of generative AI tools, and how leaders, politicians, and journalists see their faces and voices artificially used to spread falsehoods. . . . . Sign up for FREE and get ready to face the challenges of disinformation in the age of artificial intelligence.
June 9: SPJ-DC Honors Its New Hall of Famers
A science writer covering climate change, its impacts and related politics [Seth Borenstein]. An editor who has led his publication to national renown as the LGBTQ community’s “newspaper of record” [Kevin Naff]. An investigative journalist whose work – individually and with collaborators — has exposed political corruption, improper conduct among Ohio prosecutors, and U.S. workers dying on the job for lack of shade and water [Cheryl W. Thompson].
These are the 2026 Hall of Fame honorees chosen by the Society of Professional Journalists’ Washington, D.C., Pro Chapter. The honorees will be feted at the chapter’s Dateline Awards dinner on Tuesday, June 9, at the National Press Club. SPJ DC also will announce the winners of its 2026 Dateline Awards competition, honoring the best journalism produced in the District of Columbia and metropolitan Maryland and Virginia. . . .
At the dinner, the DC Chapter also will present its Distinguished Service Award to a journalist whose work and or actions have made a positive difference on our craft and on society.
The 2026 honoree is Karen Attiah, a prize-winning journalist whose work examines the intersections of race, culture, gender, media and international affairs. . . .
The dinner’s master of ceremonies will be Kojo Nnamdi, host of WAMU radio’s weekly “Politics Hour.”
Tickets will be available soon. Check for the latest information at the chapter’s website: SPJDC.org
From New York: Media Watch
Air date: 30 MARCH 2026
Hosts:
Robert Anthony, Alan Singer, PhD, and Eric V Tait, Jr:
Subject: Robert Mueller. former Special Prosecutor’s death/Reaction; Pentagon ignores judge, continues press restraints/censorship; Mitch McConnell’s responsibility for the current tRUMP-caused global debacle; British press/others calling out US-Israeli questionable accounts of the Iran War success (and lack thereof); former US military brass say the Iranians can and will holdout/demand their own terms for ending this confused, mistaken “Operation Epic Fiasco;” Iranians call tRUMP a liar re so-called “Talks” and rightly say he’s making statements to manipulate the stock markets; Sen. [Chris] Murphy [D-Conn.] possibly seeks investigation on these market fluctuations and the related buying and selling; social media giants lose 2 initial trials, must pay damages; will appeal… and more.
JOBS
From these journalist organizations
Rebecca Aguilar’s Journalism Job Openings: The April List”
From Online News Association (April 2)
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From the Maynard Institute
Thanks to Maynard partners and alumni for sharing these jobs, fellowships and opportunities.
The McGraw Fellowship for Business Journalism, McGraw Center for Business Journalism — Apply by April 13
Partnerships Editor, High Country News – Remote, Western U.S.
Digital Data Reporter, KXAN – Austin, TX
Deputy Managing Editor, Mountain State Spotlight — Charleston, WV
Director of Experimentation and Projects, The Dallas Morning News – Dallas, TX
Education Writers Association Reporting Fellowship
Senior Assignment Editor, Digital, PBS.org/Newshour — Arlington, VA
Local Reporting Network Fellow, ProPublica — Multiple locations
News Editor, Block Club Chicago — hybrid, Chicago, IL
Reporter, Accountability and Enterprise Journalism, Cardinal News — Martinsville, VA
Digital Intern, Charlottesville Tomorrow — Charlottesville, VA
Rural Communities Reporter, Free Press Indiana — Multiple locations, Indiana
Assistant Managing Editor, Fort Worth Report — Fort Worth, TX
Senior Site Success Manager, Documenters Network, City Bureau — Chicago, IL
Front-End Developer, The New Republic – Remote, meetings in New York, NY
Deputy Opinion Editor, East Bay Times/Mercury News — San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Contract Climate Reporter, The 19th News — Remote, U.S.
Video Producer/Editor, Documented — New York, NY
Climate Change and Press Freedom Fellow, Committee to Protect Journalists — Remote, New York, NY
2026 USA Today Co. Forward Summer Internship Program The Statesman Journal — Salem, OR
From the Uproot Project
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- Job Opportunities
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- Rest of World, Editor-in-Chief
- Grist, Reporter (remote)
- High Country News, Partnerships Editor
- Gulf States Newsroom News Editor
- Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, Assistant Editorial Director
- The Guardian, Senior Reporter, Climate Justice
- NYT, Assistant Editor, Climate
- WIRED, Senior Editor, Science
- The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, Assistant Multimedia Editor
- Quanta Magazine, Senior Staff Editor
Fellowships & Grants
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- NOVA Institute, 2026 Media Fellowship (deadline April 20th)
- PowerLines, Photography Fellow (deadline April 15)
- Renews Project, DEI Beat Grant (deadline May 31)
- Fire Newsroom, Greenlight Grants (deadline April 27th)
- Sloan Foundation, YouTube and TikTok program
Other resources
- Earth Journalism Network Opportunities
- NPR, Next Gen Radio
- Calendar for paid internships & fellowships (courtesy of Mandy Hofmockel’s substack for journalism jobs)
- National Press Photographers Foundation, Grants & Scholarships
- Pitching Science Friday
- ProPublica, Freelance Pitch Form
From the Disabled Journalists Association (via the Maynard Institute)
The Disabled Journalists Association [is] excited to be partnering with Grist on a series of climate/disability justice stories. We are currently accepting pitches.
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There are two opportunities, both pay $1 per word and the deadline to pitch is April 8. Draft deadlines will be negotiated on a case by case basis.
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We are looking for four writers to submit 300 words each about climate/disability justice work in the rural US. This would be from an area that you have knowledge of and would include interviewing people involved in these projects.
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Our second pitch is longer and has one writer at 1200 words. This piece will be focused on the intersection between rural accessible transit and barriers to climate justice. This piece will include interviewing accessible transit providers, users, and other stakeholders about why accessible transit has issues, how to fix them, and what impact this has from a climate lens.
While we are primarily interested in pitches for written work, we are exploring our capacity to support audio work, so if you have a strong idea for an audio story, or an idea how sound might be published alongside a written piece, please indicate that in your pitch. Please send pitches and related inquiries to my colleague John Loeppky: john (at) loeppky.com.
Also:
- From Bloomberg Industry Group: Night Newsletter Editor, Arlington, Va.: Sunday – Thursday
- Committee to Protect Journalists: Climate Change and Press Freedom Fellow; New York, remote
- Filmmaker Magazine: Deputy Editor, Brooklyn, N.Y., The Gotham Film & Media Institute
- International Consortium of Investigative Journalists: Investigative journalist
- United Press International: “looking for experienced news writers to join our growing newsroom in South Florida. UPI, a leading news provider since 1907, has an immediate need for writers to provide services as part of a team to write, produce and optimize U.S. and World news stories.”
