Grant Application

2025 APPLICATION AND INFORMATION

Edna B. McKenzie Fellowship for African Diaspora Reporting

The Edna B. McKenzie Fellowship was founded in 2013 to support reporting on African Diaspora issues and communities internationally and in the United States

The goal of the fellowship is to offer PBMF-affiliated journalists the opportunity to travel and report stories that reflect on the diversity of the Africana diaspora. The competitive fellowship is open to story proposals from local journalists.

PHOTO CREDIT: @Carnegie Museum of Art, Charles “Teenie” Harris Archives

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Application and fellowship proposal must be received by Feb. 20, 2025

11:59 p.m. EST

Must be a PBMF member in good standing whose dues are current
Must submit a 500-word proposal on the journalism project you’d like to develop with the fellowship (where are you traveling, dates of your trip, what sources will you have access to, what will you produce – an article, a photo essay, a broadcast story, etc). Proposal must demonstrate how you plan to make the project successful.
Must submit a budget
Must document that a local news organization or other media outlet is committed to the publication or broadcasting of your work

This application must be submitted with the information listed below. Applications submitted without required information will be disqualified.

2025 APPLICATION

Name

Place of employment

New Field:

Street address

New Field:

Zip code

Phone number

X or other social media user name

Are you a PBMF member in good standing?

YES

Do you agree to allow PBMF to publish the final story and/or some of its elements (text, videos, photos), and to use the winner’s name, image and likeness in materials related to promoting the award ?

I AGREE

Do you agree that acceptance of the fellowship is an understanding that PBMF bears no liabilities related to travel, reporting or any activity related to fulfilling the reporting assignment

I AGREE

Do you agree to name the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation as a supporter in fellowship publication materials; suggested wording to come at a later date?

I AGREE

Upload your 500-word proposal

Upload File

Upload a 100-word essay that describes your journalism experience

Upload File

Upload one Letter of Recommendation

Upload File

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Fellowship winner agrees to allow PBMF to publish the final story and/or some of its elements (text, videos, photos), and to use the winner’s name, image and likeness in materials related to promoting the award.

Fellowship winner agrees to name Pittsburgh Black Media Federation as a supporter in its publication materials; suggested wording to come at a later date.

Acceptance of the fellowship is an understanding that PBMF bears no liabilities related to travel, reporting or any activity related to fulfilling the reporting assignment.

Funds will be distributed in two installments; half before travel; the other half after

successful publication or broadcast of media project

Proposals will be reviewed by a panel of journalists or media professionals who work and live outside of Pittsburgh.