Why the Maynard Institute Matters

For more than 24 years, the Oakland-based nonprofit has prepared thousands of journalists to lead the industry in increasingly diverse environments. MIJE's programs have been so successful that they serve as a model for the industry. Maynard programs offer:

Leadership in diversifying the nation's news media and training of thousands of journalists of color, many of whom now hold executive positions in the industry.

"I owe everything to having been a fellow in the Editing program of 1984. [The program] also helped me focus my energies on helping more journalists of color succeed in this business."
- Lewis Diuguid, vice president, Community Relations, The Kansas City Star.

A vision for the newsrooms of the future and the skills for graduates to turn that vision into reality.

"If I were to imagine the newsrooms of 2050—when people of color will be the majority of Americans—I would think back to when I was a student in the Institute's 1989 Summer Program for Minority Journalists. There, people of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds worked together, shared power and taught each other."
- Kara Briggs, reporter, The Oregonian, and 1998 president of Unity, Journalists of Color.

A proven track record of fostering retention of minority journalists.

"The Editing Program kept me in the business. I had been in the business for a while and wanted to make the transition to editor and didn't think I was going to get that opportunity. The program gave me instant credibility and gave me the skills. For me it was a life-changing opportunity."
- Lawrence Young, managing editor, The Press-Enterprise, Riverside, Calif.

Fault Lines, an innovative diagnostic tool that reminds journalists that without diversity there cannot be excellent, accurate or credible coverage.

"Recognizing and being aware of the fault lines of race, class, gender, generation and geography can only lead to improvements of our day-to-day reporting. And that means the viewers of our news get programs with more depth that more accurately reflect the community."
- Barbara Rodgers, anchor/reporter KPIX-TV, San Francisco, and graduate, 2000 Total Community Coverage Train the Trainer.

Training benefits for both its participants and their news organizations.

"The program's attention to journalistic excellence has long-term benefits for the newspapers as well as the participants."
- Addie Rimmer, deputy managing editor for news, Detroit Free Press.

A family network providing mentoring and support from industry leaders and colleagues.

"Our grapevine works in amazing ways. Earlier this year, I let a classmate know that I was feeling burnt out. Next thing I knew, I got a call from another MTC graduate who offered moral support and guidance. That's what being part of the Maynard family is all about. We're always there to help each other."
- Catalina Camia, Freedom Forum Diversity Fellow, former Washington correspondent for The Dallas Morning News and 1999 Management Training Center graduate.