GREENWOOD DIST. – The Black Wall Street Times is thrilled to be among 205 news organizations nationwide awarded a Press Forward grant, joining a select group chosen from 931 applicants across the U.S.
These 205 local news outlets, representing every state, will receive a portion of $20 million in funding to address critical coverage gaps in their communities. Press Forward, a national initiative to revitalize local journalism, is leading this effort to empower small, independent newsrooms.
Inspired by the volume and quality of submissions, Press Forward doubled its initial funding goal, offering general operating support—mostly $100,000 grants—to newsrooms with annual budgets under $1 million.
The selected recipients represent a diverse array of independent, non-partisan sources redefining local news across the nation.
“These newsrooms are proof that we are seeing a moment of transformation, where new and longstanding are stepping up to create a new story for local news,” said Dale R. Anglin, Director of Press Forward. “Each newsroom plays a vital public service role in its community – providing trustworthy local news and information in places where no other sources may exist. Independent newsrooms need community support to survive. We hope that more people will subscribe and donate to them.”
Black, Indigenous, and other newsrooms led by people of color, including those at The Black Wall Street Times, lead 40% of the grantee organizations.
Nehemiah D. Frank, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Black Wall Street Times, thanked Press Forward donors for making this grant possible, saying, “We are honored to be one of only four Oklahoma newsrooms to receive $100,000. We’re proud that Press Forward recognizes the tremendous value our media outlet brings to our community and the state of Oklahoma.”
The three other Oklahoma news organizations to have received the grant are Tri-City Collective, Lorton Media Group/The Frontier, and Nondoc Media.
The public can donate to the Press Forward Pooled Fund to support local newsrooms across the country. Every dollar, up to $5 million, will be matched.
About Press Forward
Press Forward is a nationwide movement to strengthen our democracy by revitalizing local news and information. Press Forward’s growing coalition of 60+ funders has committed to invest more than $500 million to strengthen local newsrooms, close longstanding gaps in journalism coverage, advance public policy that expands access to local news and scale infrastructure the sector needs to thrive. Press Forward is housed at The Miami Foundation. For more, visit pressforward.news.
About The Black Wall Street Times
The Black Wall Street Times is the premier news source for Black Oklahomans, focusing on amplifying Black voices and experiences. Located in the historic Greenwood District of Tulsa, Okla., the publication stands at the intersection of journalism, advocacy, and community empowerment.
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