blackfilm.com correspondent Koku Tona spoke with Latoya Drake, Head of Media Representation at Google. She discussed the newly launched ‘News Equity Fund’, her path to working in diversity and tech spaces, her passion for education, and much much more! Check out the interview and let us know what you think!
Google has launched a ‘News Equity Fund’, a global commitment to provide financial support and opportunities to news organizations that primarily serve underrepresented communities.
The aim is to strengthen inclusion, further empower a diverse news ecosystem, and specifically support small and medium sized publishers creating original journalism for underrepresented audiences around the world.GNI News Equity Fund: blog post announcing the creation of the fund last year
Application dates: Applications open on Wednesday 22nd June 2022 and close on Thursday, 21st July 2022 at 11:59p.m. Pacific Time. (Window has closed for applications, but more detail is offered in the video.)
Application Eligibility Requirements:
- Small and medium-sized news organizations producing original news for underrepresented audiences.
- The News Equity Fund is open to independent newsrooms employing between 1 – 50 full-time journalists (FTE).
- Eligible applicants may include for-profit or nonprofit traditional news organizations, digital natives, newsletters, podcasts, radio and/or TV broadcasters, and trade press associations whose members cover underrepresented groups.
- Eligible applicants should publish journalistic content regularly.
- Eligible applicants need to have a focus on core news provision, i.e. not lifestyle, sports.
- Eligible applicants must have a verifiable digital presence (such as a website primarily providing journalistic content) and have been in full operation for at least 12 months.
- Incorporated or registered associations or organizations, registered academic or non-profit bodies representing underrepresented journalists and organizations are all eligible to apply as long as you are based in one of the eligible geographies.
- Government-owned entities or entities affiliated/owned by a political party are not eligible to apply.
Funding: Funds will be disbursed in one installment. Funding amounts will vary depending on the size of the newsroom and number of eligible applications received.
Selection Process: Initial selection of proposals will be done by teams of Google staff who have knowledge and experience in digital publishing and journalism in the regions detailed above. Google will also work with established third party organizations to further confirm our selections. Applicants will then be contacted by email and offered funding before being asked to sign a funding agreement with Google. Selected applicants will then be required to enroll with our designated payment provider in order to receive the funding.
LaToya Drake bio
LaToya Drake is the Head of Media Representation at Google, and leads the company’s efforts to create a more inclusive and equitable media ecosystem. She works hand-in-hand with product teams, and builds industry shifting partnerships that reach and elevate intersectional and often underrepresented voices.
Previously she was Global Outreach Lead and a founding member of the Google News Initiative (GNI). In the role she oversaw events and brand experiences, and managed programs and partnerships designed to build the future of media. In 2019 she was a finalist for AdColor’s Innovator of the Year award for her work in diversity in tech and media.
Before joining Google, LaToya was an Account Manager at the agency Waggener Edstrom, overseeing national broadcast, consumer product launches and marketing integrations on the Microsoft account. She joined Waggener Edstrom from AOL, where she was a communications strategist and on-air spokesperson, managing brands including the Huffington Post, MapQuest and AOL.com.
As an adjunct professor at New York University, she taught the course PR2.0: Using Social Media Channels to Engage Customers and their Communities. LaToya holds a MA in Communication, Culture and Technology from Georgetown University, and a BS in Communications and Political Science from Florida State University.
Latoya Drake talks Google’s ‘News Equity Fund’
Related Link: https://www.blackfilm.com/read/2021/06/ava-duvernays-array-partners-with-google-for-500000-film-grant/
Loading…