In spring 2015, four Black journalists — Nikole Hannah-Jones, Corey Johnson, Ron Nixon and Topher Sanders — were disturbed by the tiny number of journalists of color who were doing the critical work of investigative reporting. The four founders decided they would launch an organization to provide the training and mentorship necessary for journalists of color to compete and succeed in investigative journalism roles.
The founders launched the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting in August 2016. This year, we are celebrating 10 years of the Society’s impact on investigative journalists at all experience levels.
Explore our Decade of Difference page to see where we’ve been and what we have planned for the future.
A Decade of difference by Arlette HawkinsCornerstone Programming
Since the Society’s inception, we’ve worked to fulfill our mission of increasing the ranks of investigative journalists through our free or low-cost cornerstone programming: Investigative Reporting Fellowship, Summer Investigative Reporting Internship, Data Institute, High School Investigative Partnership Program, and our regional bootcamps.
Throughout the years, hundreds of journalists — from high school students to college professors, and college students to working journalists — have attended our programs around the nation.
Through our programming, college students have worked on Pulitzer Prize-winning or -recognized journalism; accomplished reporters have trained students and other aspiring journalists; working journalists have learned to analyze data, create visualizations and design; and so much more.
Decade of Impact
The Ida B. Wells Society’s first programs were regional workshops. As the Society’s membership and partnerships grew, it began offering fellowships, internships, and even scholarships to members. The Society is currently based at Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. Scroll through the presentation below to learn about the Society’s impact since moving to Atlanta!
Testimonials
Swipe through to hear about the Society’s impact in participants’ own words!
Honoring a Decade of Impact, Investing in the Decade Ahead
“If you care about democracy and the future of journalism, then care about the Ida B. Wells Society. It is one of the most righteous and meaningful investments you can make.” – Society co-founder Corey Johnson
For 10 years, the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting has made a measurable, lasting difference in accountability journalism. As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we invite you to join us in honoring a decade of impact and investing in the decade ahead.
As part of our “Decade of Difference” fundraising campaign, our goal is to raise $125,000 from individual donors to support our programming and scholarships that help students and professionals attend professional development conferences and workshops.
Over the past decade, nearly 4,000 individuals have become members of the Society, including the hundreds who attend our in-person and virtual training sessions annually. Since 2021, 66 college students and recent graduates have been placed in investigative reporting internships in some of the nation’s top newsrooms. Twenty professional journalists have participated in the yearlong fellowship program since 2025. Hundreds of high school journalists in North Carolina, Georgia, and Louisiana have received investigative reporting training through our high school project.
These efforts have impacted the future of investigative reporting by removing barriers that prohibit some individuals from receiving the training they need to qualify for entry into this kind of work. We hope to extend the net to reach hundreds more at the high school, college, and professional levels every year.
A gift of $20.26, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, or more directly supports the programs that have shaped a decade of journalists and will shape the next. We believe a decade of difference deserves a decade of investment. We invite you to make a gift today and help ensure that the next generation of investigative journalists is better trained, better supported, and better equipped to tell the stories that matter.
Show your swag and support by shopping at our online store. Proceeds from your purchase will go towards our fundraising goal. Grab everything from t-shirts to tote bags with our signature logo.
