The Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting has selected 10 professional journalists to participate in its 2026 Fellowship Program.
This is the second cohort of an effort launched a year ago to help emerging journalists enhance their reporting skills and produce investigative projects by providing them with intensive training over the course of six months.
Ron Nixon, director of the Associated Press Local Investigative Reporting Program and one of the co-founders of the Society, noted that the 2026 cohort reflects the changing face of investigative journalism because it is largely composed of freelancers and individuals working for nonprofit newsrooms.
“This year’s class proves that some of the most vital watchdog reporting is now happening outside of traditional legacy outlets, and we are honored to support their efforts,” Nixon said.
The 2026 Fellows participated in a virtual orientation on Friday and will begin attending the first of a series of weeklong training sessions in Atlanta on Feb. 22 with some of the news industry’s top investigative reporters and editors.
The fellowship is among professional development programs the Society offers to help increase the number of traditionally underrepresented voices in the ranks of investigative journalism. Fellowships were awarded based on news reporting experience, applicants’ reporting philosophies, and the potential impact of investigative pitches applicants submitted.
This year’s cohort will look to build on the successes of 10 Fellows who completed the fellowship a year ago.
The 2026 Investigative Reporting Fellows are:
Stephanie Casanova
Juliana Erikson
Brittany Foster
Keerti Gopal
Nyah Marshall
Deon Osborne
Natalie Holly Purviance
Rasheed Shabazz
Gabriela Henriquez Stoikow
Candice Wilder
