Announcement: “Own York Work” Micro-Grant Winner

After reviewing over 330 proposals, a panel of community judges have selected winners for the second round of Study Hall’s “Own Your Work” Micro-Grant. We are pleased to announce that Cooper Joslin is the recipient of our first place prize of $2000 and will be using those funds for their project The Trans Guide.  Joslin is a trans nonbinary person with a background in journalism and Full-Stack Development. They have an M.A. in Journalism and Public Affairs from American University. The Trans Guide will be “a comprehensive resource for transgender folks across the country” that will feature “an abundance of oral histories from a diverse range of trans individuals, a growing database of affirming resources from all 50 states and D.C., and a legislation tracker to keep tabs on bills pertaining to trans rights.” Especially during a time in which trans rights are under attack by right wing politicians and reactionaries across the country, The Trans Guide will serve as an essential resource.

“I’m looking forward to investing in the growth and sustainability of this project, so it can make more resources accessible, tell more stories, and aid trans folks nationwide,” Joslin told Study Hall.  “As a nonbinary person, I understand how critical it is for people to tell their own stories and document their own histories, as well as see themselves accurately represented in the media.” 

As the “Own Your Work” micro-grant project expands, we are pleased to offer more and more opportunities to media workers. This time around, we had two additional runner up winners.  Jem Bartholomew, a freelance reporter with bylines at The Guardian and New York Magazine, is the recipient of a $1000 micro-grant. He will be launching a newsletter that will “think critically and deeply about media coverage of poverty and social inequity” and feature writers documenting homelessness. “I’m delighted that Study Hall will be supporting my newsletter exploring how the media can cover poverty better — and how we as reporters can make sure we’re shining a light on systemic inequity and injustice without falling victim to extractive or exploitative relationships,” Bartholomew wrote in an email. 

Study Hall will also be awarding $1000 to the Society of Disabled Journalists, an organization that aims to create a space where “disabled journalists can come together to share experiences and improve the way the industry treats disabled professionals” and “create a pathway for future generations of disabled journalists to work in the journalism industry.” With these funds, the organization will begin to establish an online presence and invest in a website so members can sign up for webinars, access valuable resources such as educational opportunities for newsrooms, and network with other disabled journalists. 

“Winning this micro-grant from Study Hall is absolutely incredible because we can use this money to launch an organization that will make a difference in our industry,” Amanda Morris,  a disability reporter for The Washington Post and member of the Society of Disabled Journalists , wrote in an email. “This grant is a critical first step towards ensuring that other disabled journalists don’t ever have to feel alone or unsupported.” 

The “Own Your Work” micro-grant project aims to be a learning experience for all of our subscribers. As such, subscribers will have access to Slack channels where they can chat with the recipients and stay up to date on how their projects are progressing. Our hope is the winners will share their learnings and inspire others in our community to start their own projects. Subscribers should also expect Q&As with the recipients via our weekly Digests.

Thank you to our community judges —Hilarie Ashton, Steven Friedlander, and Michelle Powers — who volunteered their time and energy for selecting a winner. Stay tuned for our next round of “Own Your Work” micro-grants!