Meet Our Fellows

Our student and faculty fellows are dedicated to saving and studying the rich history of Black communities on the West Coast.

Introducing our 2025 Charlotta Bass Journalism Fellows

Join us in celebrating the incredible work of our student and faculty fellows, who are dedicated to uncovering and preserving the rich history of Black communities on the West Coast. Through hands-on training, our fellows learn how to report on and archive vital stories, ensuring that Black voices and historical narratives are accurately documented and shared.

In addition to archival and journalistic work, our research fellows take a deep dive into how Black communities have historically used media to spark change. Their original projects investigate the powerful ways in which storytelling, journalism, and digital platforms have shaped movements for justice and equity.

This year’s cohort of Charlotta Bass Fellows will focus their reporting on the Black community in Altadena as it recovers from the Eaton Fire, amplifying local voices and documenting the long-term impacts of the disaster. Through investigative journalism, personal storytelling, and community engagement, our fellows will shed light on the challenges and resilience of Black Altadenans navigating recovery efforts.

As part of their work, the fellows will produce a podcast, featuring firsthand accounts from residents, local leaders, and historians. The podcast will explore themes of environmental justice, disaster recovery, and historic Black land ownership, ensuring that these critical stories reach a broad audience.

Additionally, their research and reporting will contribute to our new Monumental mobile app, a digital platform designed to archive and showcase Black media history on the West Coast. By adding multimedia content, historical context, and contemporary perspectives, the fellows will help preserve Black Altadena’s legacy.

Sponsor a Bass Lab Fellow

With a donation, you can directly support a Bass Lab Student Fellow. Help fund their research stipends as they work on special projects that document and advance West Coast Black media history. Your sponsorship empowers these emerging scholars by providing the resources they need to conduct original research, develop media projects, and gain hands-on experience. Make an impact today. Sponsor a Bass Lab Student Fellow and be a part of this essential work!

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