Job Description
The Frances Ellen Watkins Harper Fellowship, established by The 19th News, is a yearlong, full-time, salaried program designed to provide recent graduates and mid-career alumni of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with immersive experience in journalism. Named after the pioneering African American journalist and abolitionist, the fellowship aims to create pathways into U.S. newsrooms for those historically excluded.
Role Description:
Fellows are embedded within The 19th’s newsroom, working in one of three tracks: reporting, audience engagement, or product and technology. They receive mentorship, professional development, and career coaching, contributing to The 19th’s mission of reporting on gender, politics, and policy.
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Application Cycle: Annually
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What You’ll Need:
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Recent graduate or mid-career alum of an HBCU.
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Demonstrated interest or experience in journalism, audience engagement, or product development.
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Preferred or Required Qualifications:
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Strong commitment to The 19th’s mission of inclusive and intersectional reporting.
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Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
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Benefits and Perks:
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$1,500 merit bonus midway through the fellowship
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$1,000 professional development stipend, which previous fellows have used to do online courses or attend journalism conferences
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$480 work-from-home stipend and $480 wellness stipend ($960 total) paid over the course of the year
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$100/month for coworking space membership (optional)
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Mac laptop, which fellows keep after the fellowship ($1,300-$1,500 value)
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Access to the fellowship’s hardship fund (up to $5,000 per fellow)
- Full benefits package, including health insurance.
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One-on-one mentorship and professional development opportunities.
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Career coaching to support post-fellowship employment.
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Where and How You Can Apply:
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Applications are submitted through The 19th’s official website. When submitting an application, prospective fellows will need to submit the following:
- A cover letter explaining why you want to work at The 19th, how our mission aligns with your career goals and interests and what impact this fellowship program would have on your career goals
- Your résumé
- Relevant samples of your work
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