Eleven Vermont-based journalists have been selected to participate in a new program designed to improve news reporting and coverage on issues of race and identity and to create an inclusive newsroom culture for the participating journalists and newsrooms. The program, known as the New England Equity Reporting Fellowship, was created in 2021 by the Granite State News Collaborative, New England News Collaborative, New England Newspaper & Press Association and Solutions Journalism Network, with support from the Endowment for Health.
The inaugural class of fellows comprises an impressive roster of publishers, editors and journalists representing more than 40 news outlets from across all six New England states. They will participate in the Fault Lines Training Series, offered by the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, and receive ongoing training and support from the fellowship throughout the year.
The Vermont-based fellows are:
- Mark Davis, managing editor, Vermont Public Radio, Colchester.
- Bryant Denton, reporter and technology services, Vermont Public Radio, Colchester.
- Mike Dougherty, digital editor, VTDigger, Montpelier.
- Liora Engel-Smith, health reporter, VTDigger, Montpelier.
- Abagael Giles, climate and environment reporter, Vermont Public Radio, Colchester.
- April McCullum, story editor, Burlington Free Press, Burlington.
- Alison Novak, education reporter, Seven Days, Burlington.
- Brittany Patterson, deputy managing editor, Vermont Public Radio, Colchester.
- Lilly St. Angelo, urban change reporter, Burlington Free Press, Burlington.
- Bryan Stevenson, managing director of production, Vermont Public Radio, Colchester.
- Natalie Williams, news editor, VTDigger, Montpelier.