Join us for #GivingTuesday and support AAPI journalists in Chicago

November 15, 2022

“Being thrown into the fire of reporting right away helped me build my confidence as a young reporter — not just with interviewing, but also my writing.”
— Michael Lee, education reporter, Columbus Dispatch; Michael was the 2020 scholarship recipient and interned at the Chicago Sun-Times

“As an intern, I feel like a real part of the Block Club team and excited that my work is having an impact in the community.”
— Amy Qin, data reporter, WBEZ and AAJA Chicago board member; Amy was the 2021 David Ibata Scholarship recipient and interned at Block Club Chicago

Since its founding in 1989, the Chicago chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association has helped many early-career journalists from historically underrepresented communities start their careers in journalism through internships, workshops and mentorships. As they continue on their careers, they join this effort and pass down the legacy of our founders — former ABC-7 news anchor Linda Yu and former Chicago Tribune editor David Ibata — to the next generation of journalists.

We cannot do this work without your support.

This year, we are asking you to join us for #GivingTuesday on November 29 by becoming a donor and sharing our call to action with your employers. We are setting a fundraising goal of $2,500 to support a paid internship for a student or early-career journalist at a local Chicago newsroom in 2023. Your donation will also help us hold free, community-oriented events that bring Chicago journalists together.

By making a tax-deductible donation today, you’re helping to fuel the next generation of journalists who can lead in uncertain times and build a sustainable future for journalism.

Members, help us spread the words by telling your employer and other organizations about our work! We have included an email template for corporate giving that you can send to a potential sponsor.