CJF Black Journalism Fellowship Final Report

I’ve told this story before. When I applied for the CJF fellowship, the business journalism placement was at the bottom of my interest list. Then I received an email that I was shortlisted and the jury felt my skill set would be a great fit for the business placement at The Globe and Mail. Five months later, I moved to Toronto and began what would be an unmatched experience.

It wasn’t long before I realized why business journalism is critical. Alongside stellar journalist and mentor, Chris Hannay, I reported on the uncertain future of the government-funded loan programs for Black entrepreneurs which came after the nation-wide Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. We also did a follow-up on similar loan programs funded by Canada’s big banks. In February, the U.S. announced it would impose tariffs on Canadian goods and the newsroom shifted. In the weeks that follow, some other reporters and I scouted the internet for Canadian-made goods and brands to create a directory for consumers looking to boycott America.

By then, I’d carved out a niche I wanted to explore: the intersection of race, equity and business. This involves examining racial disparities and systemic biases in the business world, highlighting initiatives and policies aiming at addressing racial inequity and analyzing how race shaped economic outcomes and opportunities. Out of that curiosity came my feature on some of Canada’s oldest financial institutions and their ties to the slave trade and whether they have a responsibility to pay reparations.

Another highlight of my fellowship was speaking on a panel about Black voices in Canadian journalism alongside some of the industry’s trailblazers. These six months sharpened my reporting skills, exposed me to new subject areas, and gave me the opportunity to work with some of the best journalists and editors in this country. The future of journalism is bright in spite of the obstacles and constant threats to press freedom and I hope I’m a part of it. 

THANKS TO THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF FOUNDING SPONSOR