Empowering the Next Generation of Newsroom Leaders: Society of Professional Journalists Announces 2026 Dori Maynard Diversity Leadership Fellows

INDIANAPOLIS — In its ongoing mission to foster a more equitable, inclusive, and representative media landscape, the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) has officially announced its prestigious roster for the 2026 Dori Maynard Diversity Leadership Program. Six accomplished journalists, educators, and multimedia storytellers from diverse backgrounds have been selected for this year’s cohort, securing an invaluable opportunity to connect with national industry leaders, expand their professional networks, and deepen their involvement within the organization.

The newly named fellows—Jolene Almendarez, Ebony Curry, Idris Mohammed, Damilola Oduolowu, Morgan Shay, and Tiffany Tan—represent a dynamic cross-section of modern journalism. Their collective work spans local accountability reporting, nonprofit investigative ventures, international humanitarian crisis coverage, academic research, and multimedia storytelling. By bridging the gap between underrepresented communities and mainstream newsrooms, this year’s cohort embodies the very principles that the program was established to honor.

Main Facts: Investing in Inclusive Leadership

The Dori Maynard Diversity Leadership Program is designed to empower journalists from underrepresented backgrounds, equipping them with the mentorship, resources, and leadership training necessary to shape the future of the industry.

As part of their fellowship, the six selected journalists will receive comprehensive support to attend SPJ26, the national journalism convention scheduled for October 1–4, 2026, in Columbus, Ohio. The fellowship package includes:

• Complimentary convention registration.
• Three nights of lodging at the official convention hotel.
• Up to $600 in travel reimbursement.

During the four-day event, the fellows will immerse themselves in targeted educational workshops, high-level leadership discussions, and networking events designed to foster long-term career growth. They will collaborate with peers and veterans from across the United States, gaining structural insights into newsroom management, ethical decision-making, and modern reporting techniques.

Michael Puente, chair of the SPJ Diversity and Inclusion Committee, emphasized the exceptional caliber of this year’s applicant pool and the rigorous selection process required to choose the final six.

"Selecting this year’s fellows was no easy task," Puente stated. "We had an outstanding group of applicants, each bringing unique experiences and a strong commitment to journalism. These six journalists are committed to serving their communities, and we’re excited to help them build connections and grow as leaders in the profession."

Chronology and Legacy: Honoring the Vision of Dori Maynard

To understand the profound significance of the fellowship, one must look back at the pioneering life and enduring legacy of its namesake, Dori Maynard.

A trailblazing journalist, fierce advocate for newsroom diversity, and transformative SPJ leader, Maynard dedicated her career to ensuring that the American press accurately and fairly reflected the nation’s diverse populace. Her journey with the organization spanned decades of active engagement and systemic advocacy:

• 1999: Dori Maynard was appointed to the SPJ Foundation Board, where she began steering institutional initiatives toward greater equity and inclusion.
• 2001: Recognizing her tireless dedication to journalistic integrity and institutional reform, SPJ named her a Fellow of the Society—one of the organization’s highest honors.
• Posthumous Legacy: Following her passing, the fellowship was established in her name to ensure that her life’s work continues to inspire and elevate new generations of journalists.

During her lifetime, Maynard repeatedly challenged news organizations to confront what she famously diagnosed as the "distorted coverage of communities of color." She argued that lazy reporting, cultural blind spots, and homogenous newsroom leadership contributed to systemic misrepresentation. By creating pathways for journalists who understand and belong to these overlooked communities, the Dori Maynard Diversity Leadership Program directly operationalizes her vision.

Supporting Data & Profiles of the 2026 Fellows

The 2026 cohort brings decades of collective experience, deep regional and international expertise, and academic rigor to the program. A closer look at the background and achievements of each fellow illustrates the high caliber of this year’s selection:

1. Jolene Almendarez (Northern Kentucky)

With more than a decade of newsroom experience, Almendarez is an accomplished enterprise reporter based in Northern Kentucky. Her career spans traditional reporting, editorial leadership, and nonprofit management, including serving as a managing editor for a nonprofit news outlet and freelancing for NPR. In 2018, she co-founded The San Antonio Heron, a pioneering nonprofit news organization dedicated to covering equity, urban development, and gentrification in downtown San Antonio.

2. Ebony Curry (Detroit, Michigan)

Curry is a dynamic Detroit-based journalist whose work sits at the intersection of policy and everyday people, specifically targeting communities frequently marginalized by mainstream media narratives. As a 2025–26 reporting fellow with The 19th, she covers gender, politics, and public policy. Previously, she served as a senior reporter at the Michigan Chronicle, reporting on education, housing, health disparities, and social justice. Her versatile portfolio encompasses nonprofit reporting, the historic Black press, broadcast, and digital journalism, driven by a steadfast dedication to accountability and community-centered storytelling.

3. Idris Mohammed (Nigeria / University of Alabama)

An international freelance journalist with over ten years of field experience, Mohammed has extensively covered armed conflict, humanitarian crises, governance, climate change, and media freedom in Nigeria and the broader Lake Chad Basin. His high-impact reporting has been featured in prominent regional and international publications, including The New Humanitarian, HumAngle, and The Guardian Nigeria. Currently, Mohammed is expanding his impact through academia as a Ph.D. candidate in journalism and communication at the University of Alabama, where his research investigates the psychological well-being of journalists covering conflict and terrorism, alongside the ethical implications of artificial intelligence in news production.

4. Damilola Oduolowu (University of South Carolina)

Oduolowu brings a decade of global media experience as a staff journalist, researcher, and educator. He previously served as a senior journalist for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) World Service, reporting, producing, and editing major news stories across West Africa for television, radio, and digital platforms, including web articles, documentary video, and podcasts. After earning his Ph.D. in journalism from the University of Missouri School of Journalism, he transitioned to training the next wave of professionals as a faculty member at the University of South Carolina’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

5. Morgan Shay (Enfield, Connecticut)

A recent graduate of Loyola Marymount University, Shay is an emerging multimedia storyteller deeply committed to amplifying voices historically silenced or marginalized by traditional media gatekeepers. Currently working as a writer for Seasons Magazine and CT Voice, she is the driving force behind THE VOICE 30—a major multimedia project highlighting 30 LGBTQ+ leaders, grassroots organizations, and allies across Connecticut who are driving positive social change within their communities.

6. Tiffany Tan (South Carolina)

With a robust career spanning more than two decades, Tan has established herself as a formidable investigative reporter covering government accountability, criminal justice, and public health. Formerly a senior reporter at The Post and Courier, she led critical coverage surrounding South Carolina’s resumption of prisoner executions after a 13-year legislative and judicial hiatus. Her extensive career also includes investigative and reporting roles at VTDigger and the Rapid City Journal, as well as international reporting experience in Singapore and Beijing before her immigration to the United States in 2015.

Official Responses and Industry Perspectives

The announcement of the 2026 fellows has generated widespread enthusiasm among journalism advocates, educators, and organizational leaders. Industry stakeholders view the program not merely as an awards initiative, but as a critical infrastructure project for the American press.

In statements accompanying the rollout, SPJ leadership reiterated that supporting diverse journalists is a non-negotiable prerequisite for defending a free and functioning press. When newsrooms fail to reflect the demographics of the publics they serve, trust erodes, vital stories go untold, and democratic accountability suffers.

"We are not just welcoming six individuals to a convention; we are investing in the transformation of storytelling," noted representatives from the SPJ Diversity and Inclusion Committee. By pairing these accomplished professionals with institutional backing, the program ensures that diverse perspectives are not siloed into niche beats, but are instead integrated into the highest tiers of newsroom leadership, editing, and decision-making.

Implications for the Future of Journalism

As the media industry navigates an era of unprecedented disruption—marked by economic contraction, the rise of generative artificial intelligence, declining public trust, and relentless attacks on press freedom—initiatives like the Dori Maynard Diversity Leadership Program carry profound implications.

1. Elevating Newsroom Standards: By empowering leaders who prioritize equity, accountability, and community-centered reporting, the program helps raise ethical and professional standards across the entire industry.
2. Combating Misinformation and Polarization: Diverse newsrooms equipped with cultural competency and rigorous reporting skills are better positioned to counter misinformation, bridge societal divides, and accurately cover complex issues such as systemic inequality, climate displacement, and political polarization.
3. Ensuring Institutional Longevity: Programs that provide tangible support—such as conference access, financial relief, and mentorship—prevent talented journalists from underrepresented backgrounds from being forced out of an increasingly precarious profession.

The Society of Professional Journalists continues to urge its members, industry partners, and the public to support these vital equity efforts. Through contributions to the SPJ Foundation, the Legal Defense Fund, and the First Amendment Forever Fund, stakeholders can ensure that the press remains a robust, inclusive pillar of democracy.

To learn more about the Dori Maynard Diversity Leadership Program, explore past fellows, or find out how to contribute to its ongoing success, visit the official Society of Professional Journalists website.