Applications are open for the 2027 Community Journalism Program, a free training and mentorship opportunity for DC residents interested in telling the stories of their communities.
Every neighborhood has stories worth telling, and the people who know those communities are often the ones best positioned to tell them.
Launched in fall 2023, the Community Journalism Program (CJP) helps DC residents develop the skills, confidence, and connections to report on the people, places, and issues that matter most to them. By combining professional journalism practices with the knowledge and perspectives of local communities, the program works to make local news more accessible, representative, and responsive to the people it serves.
Examples of stories include an exploration of DC’s trail rangers and their work to maintain and protect the city’s bike trails by Sarah Loftus, and a tribute to Woody Ward, a longtime community mentor whose decades of service continue to shape generations of Ward 7 residents, by Beverly F. Smith.
Participants in the 2026 Community Journalism Program gather for a workshop to build their reporting skills, exchange ideas, and learn from local journalism professionals.
The 2027 Community Journalism Program is a free, 17-week training program that brings together aspiring community journalists for hands-on workshops, small group mentorship, and independent reporting.
Led by professional local journalists, participants will learn the fundamentals of print journalism, including:
Workshops alternate with small group sessions led by local journalists who serve as mentors and story editors. Throughout the program, participants put their new skills into practice by developing and reporting an original news story. By the end of the program, each participant will have written an article to pitch to local news outlets.
Want to see what community journalism looks like in practice? Check out this zine featuring work from last year’s Community Journalism Program cohort! Explore the stories participants chose to tell and get a glimpse of what you could create through the program.
Explore the Community Journalism Zine
Graduates of the 2026 Community Journalism Program celebrate completing the program and developing the skills to tell stories that matter to their communities.
No formal journalism training is required! The Community Journalism Program is designed for DC residents interested in writing, local reporting, and sharing stories from their communities.
Applicants should be:
Workshops will generally take place on Tuesday evenings from 6:30–8:30 pm at the historic Carnegie Library (801 K St NW), with alternating small group sessions held at locations throughout DC.
October 22, 2026: Applications open November 13, 2026: Applications close Mid-December 2026: Applicants notified January 19, 2027: Virtual orientation January–May 2027: Workshops and small group sessions May 18, 2027: Closing event
Local journalism professionals share their experiences and insights during a panel discussion at the 2026 Community Journalism Program closing event.
Whether you’re interested in covering an issue affecting your neighborhood, highlighting an underreported community story, or simply learning how journalism works, the Community Journalism Program offers an opportunity to develop your skills and connect with others who care about local storytelling.
Applications open October 22 and close November 13, 2026.
Apply to the 2027 Community Journalism Program
Questions about the program? Reach out to our Programs Team at programs@humanitiesdc.org.
The 2027 Community Journalism Program is contingent on securing funding. Program dates, activities, and availability are subject to change.
