Who we are
Recognizing that legacy local media systems are part of the problem of structural racism in Charlottesville, the Charlottesville Inclusive Media Project seeks to build a trusted framework for local news and policy reporting — grounded in service to communities — that builds trust, transparency and power in inclusive local media and decision-making systems.
Our Commitment to Racial Justice
Local media, like many other institutions in our country, has failed communities of color in so many ways.
Charlottesville Inclusive Media seeks to create a healthier media ecosystem for diverse communities. Vinegar Hill Magazine, In My Humble Opinion and Charlottesville Tomorrow are building a framework to grow our collaborative and rebuild local news from the ground up.
Since its inception in 2018 and first public-facing projects in 2020, its initial goal was to create a local media ecosystem that features strong, sustainable independent Black media companies to influence mainstream media and local decision-making. With a solid base established, we are ready to build on the power of more communities that need greater representation in our local media.
The events of August 2017, the disproportionate impact of the pandemic, and the killing of African Americans at the hands of police have shown us that each of us, as individuals and in our organizations and communities, must commit fully to confronting the poison of racism if we are to make progress, restore trust, and create a better way forward for ourselves and our children.
This effort underpins the inspiring role that the Fourth Estate, the Free Press, must play in representing our people to our government and to one another. It is our shared responsibility to help ourselves and the country move forward. We believe in the truth of racial justice. We also believe that the effort to change our systems requires every type of person from every type of background. It’s not a Black thing or a POC thing — it’s an everyone thing. If you want to be part of what we do, we ask you to share our values and share your commitment to them publicly in your work.
How We Can Change Local Media
Building shared trust
From
An extractive mindset that treats Black audiences as sources on stories about crime and poverty.
To
A practice that serves communities of color by building trust, demonstrating solidarity, and increasing power through an organized framework of engagement.
Shaping the marketplace
From
A media marketplace in which African American-owned media is understaffed, under-resourced and often ignored.
To
A media ecosystem that features strong, sustainable, independent Black media companies that directly influence mainstream media and local decision-making.
Growing civic engagement
From
A civic system that is struggling to dismantle structural racism through specific solutions and policies.
To
One that creates innovative and meaningful policy solutions to structural racism that originate with and work for the people most impacted, specifically low-wealth Black communities.
