The South Jersey Information Equity Project was conceived at the Center for Cooperative Media in late 2019 through a partnership with the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists. Its goal is to address media inequity in South Jersey, specifically by seeking to improve the quality and quantity of news and information produced by and for communities of color.
SJIEP seeks to support and elevate Black media makers, specifically in Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, and Atlantic counties — including those who identify as journalists and those who do not — and connect them with resources, funding, and platform partners to share their work.
The project also aims to build trust and community connections through media making and strengthen the networks between Black journalists, media, and communities in South Jersey.
Latest updates + events:
How media literacy and community storytelling are shaping the future of news in South Jersey
By Charles Curtis, III | SJCR | Nov. 14, 2023
Community journalism empowers and equips residents with the knowledge to inform, motivate, and engage with their community. As part of SJCR, we will focus on media literacy, sourcing reliable data, and multimedia storytelling techniques.
Introducing the new South Jersey Community Reporters project leads
By Adrienne Bauldock | SJCR | Oct. 17, 2023
Today, we’re pleased to introduce you to the two talented, experienced local journalists selected from within the SJIEP network to work directly with the community reporters.
Personal essay: Sade Osuji looks to join exclusive club as black female commercial pilot
By Sade Osuji | Front Runner New Jersey | Oct. 16, 2023
My name is Sade Osuji and I am stepping into the cockpit and flying into a world where the number of Black female pilots will count for more than just 1% of the overall female pilot population in the United States.
Open call: South Jersey Community Reporters workshop series
By Cassandra Etienne | Center of Cooperative Media | Oct. 3, 2023
Applications are currently open for the new program: a collaboration between the New Jersey Council for the Humanities and the South Jersey Information Equity Project.
South Jersey Information Equity Project congratulates 2023 reporting fellows, gears up for the next cohort
By Cassandra Etienne and Adrienne Bauldock | Center of Cooperative Media | July 19, 2023
Over the last several months, the fellows have been producing solutions-based, restorative narrative journalism in their respective communities across Camden, Burlington, and Gloucester counties.
Honoring and celebrating our 2023 South Jersey Info Equity Project reporting fellows
By Joe Amditis | Center of Cooperative Media | June 29, 2023
We hosted a celebration of the 2023 South Jersey Information Equity Project reporting fellows at WHYY Studios in Philadelphia on June 29. The fellows are part of the second SJIEP reporting cohort.
Voice Your Choice: Willingboro Council’s Kaya McIntosh, Samantha Whitfield, Tiffani Worthy make their re-election run
By Sade Osuji | Front Runner New Jersey | June 2, 2023
Willingboro Township’s ballot trio — Mayor Kaya McIntosh, Deputy Mayor Samantha Whitfield, and Councilwoman Dr. Tiffani Worthy — is running for re-election for township council this primary election.
Willingboro Amphitheatre shines at National Poetry Month event
By Sade Osuji | Front Runner New Jersey | April 25, 2023
The newly renovated Willingboro Amphitheatre was on full display during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and events celebrating National Poetry Month by the Willingboro Recreation and Parks Department this past weekend.
Camden celebrates Earth Week as the Camden Strong-Clean Camden Neighborhood Cleanup Days begin
By Jenise Rolle | Scoops USA | April 25, 2023
EarthWeek 2023 may have officially ended, but the City of Camden is continuing the celebration through a series of neighborhood cleanups.
Willingboro Rec and Parks Dept. honors 6 at Phenomenal Women Awards
By Sade Osuji | Front Runner New Jersey | April 24, 2023
The Willingboro Recreation and Parks Department honored six women on Sunday, April 23 during the 11th annual Phenomenal Women Awards Dinner.
How a former home turned theater is transforming the Black arts scene in Camden
By Jenise Rolle | Scoops USA | April 11, 2023
One woman is on a mission to help break the cycle of poverty in the City of Camden, New Jersey, and she is doing it through performing arts and creative playwriting.
Women’s History Month: Lavatt Ballard uses art to tell stories in historical context
By Sade Osuji | Front Runner New Jersey | March 23, 2023
Lavett Ballard uses her impactful artwork to tell stories about Black women and Black people within a historical context, creating re-imaged visual narratives of people of African descent that has been highly acknowledged by celebrities and other influencers.
New Jersey lawmakers want to create a sickle cell registry to provide ‘genetic counseling’
By Charles Curtis, III | March 20, 2023
Recently, the New Jersey State Assembly passed a bill establishing a central registry for sickle cell trait diagnoses that provides informational outreach and genetic counseling.
Tonya Breland, Erika Leak lead DEI cause with TESO
By Tyriq DeShields | March 15, 2023
Breland and Leak are the leaders of the Burlington County-based Teach Educators and Scholars Organization, or TESO. The organization is leading an initiative to make education more inclusive for everybody, mainly those in underserved communities.
Addressing period poverty in New Jersey
By Mya Calderon | March 9, 2023
Period poverty happens when someone can’t afford menstrual hygiene products, and New Jersey lawmakers hope to address the issue with new legislation.
Black Authors Showcase highlights new stories
By Tyriq DeShields | March 7, 2023
Local African American authors shared their stories — from historical resistance, overcoming personal challenges to learning about new heroes — at the Black Authors Showcase at Curate Noir inside Moorestown Mall on March 4.
New Jersey advocates react to anti-transgender bills
By Mya Calderon | March 1, 2023
This story tracks anti-transgender legislation in New Jersey and provides reactions from people in the community.
Inside Ida’s Bookshop: A South Jersey gem named after a revolutionary Black writer
By Charles Curtis, III | Feb. 24, 2023
Located at 734 Haddon Avenue in Collingswood, NJ, Ida’s Bookshop is a Black-owned business that opened in 2021 following the success of its sister shop, Harriet’s Bookshop, located at 258 E. Girard Ave, which opened a year prior in February 2020 in Philadelphia.
Willingboro Rec and Parks, Faith In Action celebrate Black History Month
By Sade Osuji | Feb. 18, 2023
Willingboro Township’s Recreation and Parks Department celebrated Black History Month with a series of events that focused on the Black arts and health.
South Jersey Information Equity Project welcomes 2023 reporting fellows
By Adrienne Bauldock | Feb. 6, 2023
Read on to learn more about the 2023 cohort of SJIEP reporting fellows: Mya Calderon, Charles Curtis, III, Tyriq DeShields, Sade Osuji, and Jenise Rolle.
Meet Celeste Whittaker: SJIEP reporting fellowship adviser
By Adrienne Bauldock | Jan. 25, 2023
Veteran sports journalist will help guide and mentor South Jersey reporting fellows in 2023.
New SJIEP reporting fellowship cohort launches in South Jersey
By Joe Amditis | Jan. 16, 2023
Four new fellows will produce solutions-based, restorative narratives with and for communities of color in Camden, Gloucester, and Burlington counties
South Jersey Information Equity Project congratulates inaugural reporting fellows and announces plans for second cohort in 2023
By Cassandra Etienne | Nov. 2, 2022
We’re looking forward to our next round of reporting fellowships!
Thanks so much to everyone who came out to celebrate our 2022 SJIEP fellows!
More info, plus a recap and some video coming soon!
South Jersey Information Equity Project welcomes five inaugural fellows
By Adrienne Bauldock | May 9, 2022
First cohort will produce restorative narrative-oriented stories about and for Black communities in South Jersey
Black creatives in South Jersey are striving despite COVID-19 hurdles
By Ahnyah Pinckney | Scoops USA Media
Nov. 1, 2022
New Black-owned businesses are making their way into Moorestown Mall
By Ahnyah Pinckney | Scoops USA Media
Oct. 18, 2022
New Soles helps youth step into their purpose
By Charles Curtis III | Front Runner New Jersey
Sept. 5, 2022
Camden open mic spreads ‘good vibes’ and supports local artists
By Charles Curtis III | Scoop USA Media
Aug. 30, 2022
Camden’s open gym: A new model for community policing
By Charles Curtis III | Front Runner New Jersey | Black In Jersey
Aug. 25, 2022
The South Jersey Information Equity Project is a project of the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University.