We’re excited to acknowledge two incredible supporters of the HBCU Digital Media Collaborative, the Ida B. Wells Society and the Borealis Philanthropy Racial Equity in Journalism (REJ) Fund for their generous investment in helping HBCU students attend our upcoming Elevate: HBCU Digital Media Conference April 17-18.
Their support will directly cover lodging expenses for student attendees, removing a key barrier to participation and opening the door for even more HBCU students to join us in Atlanta.
This contribution expands our ability to engage a wider range of HBCU campuses, ensuring more student journalists and campus publishers have access to the insights, training, and exposure they deserve.
“In our quest to ever be solutions-oriented, we are thrilled to support this wonderful initiative. It’s a no brainer,” said Dr. Robbie R. Morganfield, the executive director of the Ida. B. Wells Society, an organization that works to increase and retain reporters and editors of color in investigative reporting. “When we work collaboratively, we all are stronger, and students who need the extra push that our efforts provide receive the highest benefit.”
The REJ Fund at Borealis supports the BIPOC journalism ecosystem, and had this to say in a statement:
“The REJ Fund is proud to support the HBCU Digital Media Collaborative and the Elevate: HBCU Media Conference because we recognize the vital role HBCU student newsrooms play in addressing information inequity in both urban and rural communities. At a time when colleges across the country are facing funding cuts, the silencing of student voices, and widespread layoffs, HBCUs—already historically underfunded—are being hit especially hard. By investing in these student newsrooms, connecting them with industry leaders, and equipping them with the tools to thrive, we are not only strengthening the future of journalism but also ensuring that HBCU students can continue to document, challenge, and shape the narratives that impact their communities.”
Held over two days at The Starling Atlanta Midtown and sponsored by Google, the Elevate conference will feature a robust lineup of panel and roundtable discussions, breakout sessions, and interactive workshops.
Topics will span industry insights, best practices, and career readiness—offering student journalists valuable resources to build their future in media, while also equipping campus publishers with strategies to optimize their efforts.
The Elevate conference is part of a broader effort to digitally transform HBCU campus newsrooms and support the next generation of Black media leaders in their journey from the classroom to the newsroom and beyond.
We are deeply grateful to the Ida B. Wells Society and the Borealis Philanthropy REJ Fund for their commitment to uplifting Black-led journalism and amplifying student voices.
Stay tuned for more updates as we gear up for an unforgettable experience this spring. We’re just getting started.
