UT Prof Anita Varma on how to practice “Solidarity Journalism”

UT Prof Anita Varma on how to practice “Solidarity Journalism”

University at Texas professor Anita Varma’s recent book Solidarity in Journalism: How Ethical Reporting Fights for Social Justice creates a framework for journalists to center the humanity and dignity of their reporting subjects and challenge narratives pushed by the powerful. In this conversation with the IIJ’s Erika Hayasaki, Varma discusses how solidarity practices can restore the public’s trust in journalism and lead to higher-impact coverage. Dr. Anita Varma is a professor and researcher at UT Austin, where she leads the Solidarity Journalism Initiative at the Center for Media Engagement. She serves on the board of the Objective [https://objectivejournalism.org] and Press On [https://www.presson.media]: A Southern Collective for Movement Journalism. Erika Hayaski is a writer focusing on the intersections of identity, race, psychology, inequality, science, technology, history, and the human condition. She writes a newsletter called The Reported Essay [https://thereportedessay.substack.com/]. She is a former national correspondent for the Los Angeles Times and currently teaches at the University of California, Irvine as a professor in the Literary Journalism Program. The Freelance Journalism Podcast is a production of the Institute for Independent Journalists, whose mission is the financial and emotional sustainability of freelancers of color. Learn more about our work at theiij.com [http://theiij.com]

Learn From Editors’ Live Feedback on Environmental Pitches

The Society of Environmental Journalists invited the IIJ to host a live Pitch Fest at the annual SEJ conference in April 2026, which took place at the University of Illinois-Chicago. IIJ Editorial Director Ann Marie Awad brought a handful of freelance journalists on stage to pitch their stories about AI, brain hacking, rare birds, and more to this all-star panel of environmental editors: * Bryce Cracknell, founder and editor-in-chief, the Margin * Jenny Splitter, editor-in-chief, Sentient Media * Michael Kodas, senior editor, Inside Climate News * Michelle Rowan, deputy editor, Chicago Tribune * Peter Prengaman, global news director for climate and environment, the Associated Press Up your game by listening in on the conversations that usually only happen behind the scenes. Every one of these editors also shared valuable info for any journalist wishing to pitch their respective publications, including rates and contract information. The Freelance Journalism Podcast is a production of the Institute for Independent Journalists, whose mission is the financial and emotional sustainability of freelancers of color. Learn more about our work at theiij.com [http://theiij.com] Video by Joe Miller. Special thanks to the journalists who pitched their stories: Karthika Gupta, Eric Kasina, Sarah DeWeerdt, Meg Duff, Michael Zografos, and Ann Davis. Thanks to volunteers Amy Yee and Araceli Ramirez, who also captured photos. We are especially grateful for the support and collaboration of the Society of Environmental Journalists and the University of Illinois-Chicago.

Journalist Kavitha Cardoza on covering education and poverty

We’re sharing a highlight from the 2026 IIJ Freelance Conference: Kavitha Cardoza’s keynote conversation with Katherine Reynolds Lewis! Kavitha received the 2026 American Mosaic Prize, for her independent coverage of children, education, health and poverty. She has reported for the Hechinger Report and NPR, and she’s an assistant professor for journalism at the University of Richmond. You don’t want to miss this deep dive into Kavitha’s career journey, how she avoids extractive reporting, dealing with rejection, her freelance pitching process, and her insights for journalists who want to make the jump into academia. Katherine Reynolds Lewis [https://www.katherinerlewis.com/] is the founder of the Institute for Independent Journalists and special projects editor for the Greater Good Science Center. A science journalist and author who writes about relationships, equity, mental health, parenting, journalism, entrepreneurship, and social justice, she previously worked as a national correspondent for Newhouse News Service and Bloomberg News. The Freelance Journalism Podcast is a production of the Institute for Independent Journalists, whose mission is the financial and emotional sustainability of freelancers of color. Learn more about our work at theiij.com [http://theiij.com]

How to pitch unique NYC immigration stories to Documented

Documented is a digital publication centering the voices and stories of immigrants in New York City and New Jersey, producing reporting and resource guides in four different languages. Deputy Editor Clarissa A. León helps lead Documented’s small team while also developing relationships with diverse freelancers who can deliver written stories and photojournalism. She spoke with the IIJ’s Erika Hayasaki about how freelancers can pitch her–even early career journalists or students. Erika Hayaski is a writer focusing on the intersections of identity, race, psychology, inequality, science, technology, history, and the human condition. She writes a newsletter called The Reported Essay [https://thereportedessay.substack.com/]. She is a former national correspondent for the Los Angeles Times and currently teaches at the University of California, Irvine as a professor in the Literary Journalism Program. The Freelance Journalism Podcast is a production of the Institute for Independent Journalists, whose mission is the financial and emotional sustainability of freelancers of color. Learn more about our work at theiij.com [http://theiij.com]

How to set rates, negotiate, and other freelance FAQs with Katherine Lewis and Shernay Williams

Times are hard for journalists, even though our work has never been more important. That’s why IIJ leaders Shernay Williams and Katherine Reynolds Lewis wanted to take a moment to set you up for success by answering some common questions from our community of independent journalists of color. Listen in for advice on setting rates, finding clients, maintaining your work life balance, and more. Katherine Reynolds Lewis [https://www.katherinerlewis.com/] is the founder of the Institute for Independent Journalists and special projects editor for the Greater Good Science Center. A science journalist and author who writes about relationships, equity, mental health, parenting, journalism, entrepreneurship, and social justice, she previously worked as a national correspondent for Newhouse News Service and Bloomberg News. Shernay Williams is a 3x entrepreneur and an award-winning independent journalist and content strategist with 15 years of cross-platform experience. She worked as a newspaper journalist before transitioning to local TV as a reporter, anchor, and producer. Since then, she’s run a content firm, served as an entrepreneurship coach, and launched a national directory and resources platform for Black mompreneurs. The Freelance Journalism Podcast is a production of the Institute for Independent Journalists, whose mission is the financial and emotional sustainability of freelancers of color. Learn more about our work at theiij.com [http://theiij.com]