🌨️ February 2025

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We hope you’re staying warm! Keep reading for news from the NYC Youth Journalism Coalition, including a major legislative update, upcoming student opportunities, and a student reporting spotlight!

🏛️ Introduction 1057 Passes!

We are celebrating last week’s passage of Introduction 1057, a landmark law championed by Council Member Rita Joseph to increase transparency and equitable access to NYC high school journalism programs. The City Council unanimously voted in favor of this legislation, which requires the NYC Department of Education to annually report on the availability of journalism programs in all public high schools and inform students of their options—laying the foundation for a more informed and civically engaged generation.

YJC student leaders worked for months with the City Council and the DOE to make this happen. This is a crucial step towards exposing disparities, guiding targeted interventions, helping eighth graders navigate high school choices, and reinforcing the Council’s commitment to student voice and equity.

In case you missed it, hear directly from our students who testified at the Council hearing in December about why this law matters and why we care. Stay tuned for updates on its implementation and how YJC can help!

📌 Journalism for All kicks off at CUNY Newmark

Last month, the Journalism for All teachers, along with city leaders, students, and funders, gathered for a morning of engaging programming from our students. Then, teachers completed their first professional development session with the Newmark team. A special thank you to Newmark for hosting us!

The event featured a student journalist panel on the impact of scholastic journalism and best practices for high school journalism advisors:

Photos by Sari Goodfriend.

🗞️ Town Hall with Reverend Al Sharpton

💡 Featured Student Opportunities

Accepting entries for JEA High School Essay Contest
Deadline: Wednesday, February 19
Student essays should address the biggest challenge journalists face today and how they might overcome it.

Accepting entries for JEA Student Journalist Impact Award
Deadline: Saturday, March 15
This award recognizes a high school student (or team of students who worked on the same entry) who, through journalism, has made a significant difference in their own life, the lives of others, their school and/or their community.

Applications are open for Nation Fund Writing Fellows
Deadline: Monday, March 17
The Nation Fund for Independent Journalism is seeking applicants for their next cohort of writing fellows! This is a paid opportunity open to current 10th-graders in good academic standing.

Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference
Deadline: Sunday, March 23
Be the one to represent your state at an in-depth, five-day summer program for 51 high school journalists (one from each state and the District of Columbia) who “dream, dare and do.” Selected students will also receive a $1,000 college scholarship.

Young Voices for Change is hiring student leadership
YVC is looking for motivated high school freshmen, sophomores, or juniors with a passion for storytelling, advocacy, and youth-led initiatives. Available positions include Executive Director, Social Media Manager, and Events & Outreach Manager.

🔦 Spotlight on Student Reporting

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