Gather is a project + platform to support community-minded journalists and other engagement professionals. Our mission: make journalism more responsive to the public’s needs and more inclusive of the public’s voices and diversity, by helping journalists, educators, and students who share these values find each other, find resources and best practices, and find support and mentorship. Learn more about Gather.
The guide “Taking Care” by jesikah maria ross emphasizes the importance of practicing care in journalism, offering practical tips and insights for creating impactful and healing storytelling.
Prisoncast! is a radio program for incarcerated people inside Illinois prisons and their families and loved ones on the outside. It is a request show, asking families and incarcerated folks for audio requests, musical preferences, and other topics they want journalists to cover. Currently, it is produced by WBEZ and Illinois Public Radio.
Community engagement often happens in real time—through social media, events, or private conversations—which means colleagues and readers might miss valuable insights. Our panel shared what they’ve learned about effective community engagement practices.
“Gather folks really care about journalism, telling stories and looking for different ways to reach people in their communities with the information they want and need. I want to make a difference in creating relationships with people outside our audience.”
“I really want to be at least aware of what’s working and what’s not working in social, newsletters, analytics, subscriber retention, etc. in other newsrooms, and I’ve learned so much already from being a member of this workspace.”
“I was an OG social media editor for a newspaper back in 2011 and wish there had been a community as robust and inviting as Gather! I’m here to make it easier for folks breaking into the space, to share my knowledge, and continue learning from others.”
