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Beyond “allyship:” True belonging and investment in queer news and communities

by Maynard Institute Staff

On June 25, The Maynard Institute hosted This webinar/panel discussion took place June 25, with the Maynard Institute hosting panelists for a discussion on the state of Queer news and how news outlets can truly invest in LGBTQIA+ stories and communities in a meaningful and sustained way.

This webinar/panel asks questions/provides context and guidance on coverage of LGBTQIA+ people, communities and issues that is inclusive rather than tokenizing, is relational rather than transactional, is sustained and stewarded rather than erratic and extractive and is conscientious and culturally sensitive.

Letters to his children: On Robert C. Maynard’s Legacy on the occasion of his birthday

By Amani Hamed, Community Engagement Manager/Staff Correspondent

Today, Wednesday June 17, is Robert C. Maynard’s birthday. He was born on this day in 1937, and passed away after a long battle with cancer in 1993. Today, he would be 89 years old.

Looking back through the essays, articles and memoirs of Robert C. Maynard collected in the book “Letters to My Children,” compiled after his death by his daughter, Dori J. Maynard, it’s difficult not to view him as a sort of journalistic oracle.

State budget zeros out funds for community and ethnic media programs

by Propel Partners
Through Propel, California made an investment in ethnic and community media outlets that collectively serve more than 20 million hard to reach Californians. That needs to continue. The Fellowship is strengthening local reporting and developing the next generation of journalists.

Continued investment in local and ethnic media is an investment in informed communities and a stronger democracy. We remain hopeful that legislative leaders will renew the full $15 million investment in the final budget before June 30.

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Photo of Odette Alcazaren-Keeley, left, an Asian woman with shoulder-length black hair and a white suit, posing and smiling with Lauren Myers, a young Black woman with a black and white shirt, lanyard and name tag, large clear eyeglasses, and long brown braids. — Maynard Regional Training Series, Detroit, 2025. Photo by Montez Miller.

Over a dark blue background, a black and white photo of a group of people of various ages and races standing outdoors and posing for the camera in a group. The front row kneels. From their clothes, hair and glasses this looks to be the 1970s. — The inaugural class of the Summer Program for Minority Journalists at UC Berkeley in 1976.

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What people say about the Maynard Institute

Fault Lines training has been invaluable in helping our newsroom have honest conversations on topics that can be fraught if people don’t share a common vernacular.

Joel Christopher, Executive Vice President, Knoxville News Sentinel

Maynard provided me with the tools, the support, and the inspiration to become a better journalist and a more impactful force for change.

Allison Jing Yang, Senior Editor – Partnerships & Initiatives, Initium Media

With Bob Maynard’s pioneering spirit, it’s important to remember history and how far we’ve come. This program helped shape my career as one of the most important experiences of my life.

Kevin Merida, Former Executive Editor, Los Angeles Times and Former Maynard Board Member, Graduate, Maynard Media Academy

The Maynard 200 experience is unlike any other. It’s training tailor-made for editors like me from underrepresented communities, and true fellowship centered around our voices.

Fernanda Santos, Managing Editor, The 19th

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