Google is pouring back into minority-owned news outlets. On Wednesday, the Google News Initiative announced the recipients of its 2022 Global News Equity Fund.
More than 450 recipients from 52 countries were financially awarded. Among the U.S. recipients were the Atlanta Black Star, Black Iowa News, Chicago Reader, and our very own RoyalTee Magazine.
The fund has provided $11,000 to support RoyalTee’s commitment to telling the stories of minority and Gen Z disruptors who are making strides and paving the way for future generations behind them in the areas of business, arts, entrepreneurship, and entertainment.
“Beyond honored and grateful to receive such tremendous support from Google,” said Alexia McKay, RoyalTee’s publisher, and founder. “Thank you for your advocacy and support of minority outlets, like RoyalTee Magazine, as we work to continue to build a reputable platform that adequately tells the stories of Black and brown communities.”
The news equity fund was created to provide financial support and opportunities to news organizations that primarily serve underrepresented communities.
“Our aim is to strengthen inclusion, further empower a diverse news ecosystem, and specifically support small and medium-sized publishers creating original journalism for underrepresented audiences around the world,” said Google in a statement on their website.
Keisha Boyd of One 35 Agency commented, “The News Equity Fund is one of the latest ways GNI works to support diversity in news organizations, specifically for small and medium-sized publishers creating original journalism for underrepresented audiences around the world. The fund received so much interest among applicants, which speaks to the need for programs like these.”
Applications for the fund opened this past June and closed in July. It was open to small and medium-sized independent newsrooms that employed between 1 -50 employees. The newsrooms were located globally: Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
A full list of recipients is listed here. Congratulations to everyone!
