I just got back from a whirlwind journalism conference in Columbus, Ohio, where I met old friends, made new ones, had and heard amazing conversations and became president of the Society of Professional Journalists Foundation when the irreplaceable Hagit Limor, a Cincinnati-based broadcast journalist turned professor, handed me the gavel on Saturday.
I’m honored to be entrusted with this responsibility by an incredible board, an excellent executive director and a fantastic staff at a crucial time for local and national journalism.
And I couldn’t be more excited to work alongside friends and peers to defend U.S. press freedoms, stabilize and support the Society, strengthen the ties between the Society and the Foundation, and expand the Foundation’s grant giving and educational programming.
In Ohio, we gave out $100,000 in grants to worthy projects and programs after receiving a stunning $2.1 million in requests. That’s just one signal of how many people have ideas on how to sustain journalism, media education and the communities that benefit from both.
Journalism is under attack, and SPJ stands ready to celebrate and defend the First Amendment that has allowed generations of journalists to do vital work day in and day out.
The Foundation board is an inspiring, dedicated bunch. We have 29 members: six former Foundation presidents, nine (including me) former Society presidents and 10 recipients of the Wells Memorial Key, the Society’s highest honor for outstanding service to the organization. Hagit is the newest recipient.
I couldn’t be more thrilled to lead them into the future and help navigate a difficult time for the industry and all of the people who work in it. We’re stronger together, and we got you.