Journalism & PR Fellowships 

The Charlotta Bass Fellowship offers students a unique, highly impactful experience that combines academic rigor, real-world application, and access to unparalleled resources in the fields of journalism and social justice.

The USC Charlotta Bass Journalism & Justice Lab hosts undergraduate- and graduate-level student fellows. Bass Fellows engage in specialized training and projects designed to advance reparative journalism, amplify underrepresented voices, and explore social justice issues through innovative media practices. Their activities typically include:

Career Treks. Fellows visit Black-led media companies, industry leaders like Spotify, and creative hubs such as HOORAE Media to network and learn about career opportunities.

Workshops & Training. Fellows gain skills in areas like drone journalism, storytelling through immersive media (e.g., AR/VR), and podcast production. For instance, they attend weekend drone workshops led by Bass Lab faculty fellow Keith Plocek.

Collaborative Projects. They contribute to lab initiatives like the Second Draft Project, which uses natural language processing, AI, and interactive media to preserve and highlight social justice testimonies.

Archiving & Research. Bass Fellows actively contribute to preserving the legacy of the West Coast Black Press and Black citizen journalism by digitizing archives, fact-checking media, and producing reparative narratives.

Event Participation. Fellows attend and help organize key events like Charlotta Bass Day, Black History Month exhibits, and public showcases featuring their work.

Public Storytelling. Fellows produce original content, such as audio postcards or podcasts, to document significant social justice moments. For example, they create short audio stories commemorating George Floyd’s legacy.

Mentorship. They receive personalized guidance from Bass Lab founder Dr. Allissa Richardson and other prominent media professionals, deepening their understanding of reparative journalism.

Overall, the program empowers students to innovate in journalism, preserve community histories, and advance equity in storytelling.