The Atlanta Voice is proud to participate in Onyx Impact’s Information Integrity Lab, part of a broader national initiative to strengthen and sustain Black-owned media organizations across the country. Onyx Impact recently announced “Invest in Black Media,” a campaign committing $500,0 00 in 2026 to support Black journalism, broadcasting, and digital storytelling. The initiative aims to strengthen the infrastructure of independent Black media outlets that serve as trusted sources of news and information for Black communities. The campaign builds on more than $1 million already invested in Black media over the past two years, reinforcing the vital role Black-owned outlets play in informing audiences, preserving culture, and defending democratic values. “Who tells our stories determines our future,” said Esosa Osa, Founder and CEO of Onyx Impact. “The Invest in Black Media campaign is Onyx’s way of putting real money behind that truth. Throughout our history, Black media has held the line in the face of anti-democratic forces, while others fall in line and appease propaganda. There is no healthy democracy in this country without strong, independent Black media.” The campaign also includes a Black History Month fundraising effort launched in partnership with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). Inspired by the recent arrests of journalists Georgia Fort and Don Lemon, Onyx Impact will match up to $100,000 in donations to NABJ’s Jubilee Fund, which supports the development and advancement of Black journalists nationwide. 2026 Invest in Black Media Commitments Onyx Impact’s $500,000 investment in 2026 will focus on expanding the reach, sustainability, and capacity of Black media in an era where misinformation spreads rapidly across digital platforms. Key investments include: $100,000 to the National Association of Black Journalists’ Jubilee FundThis investment will help build a permanent endowment to strengthen NABJ’s long-term sustainability and support the recruitment, training, and advancement of the next generation of Black journalists. The campaign also includes a matching opportunity of up to $100,000 for funds raised during Black History Month. $100,000 to the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)Funding will support a year-long investigative journalism cohort for reporters at Black-owned newspapers across the country. $75,000 to the National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB)This investment will support the Creators Mastermind Program, a leadership and development initiative that brings together Black creators across industries, including media, politics, sports, arts, entertainment, and education. $75,000 to Archiving the Black Web (ATBW)The funding will support the Information Integrity Web Archiving Fellowship, which trains Black students and media professionals in digital preservation and web archiving to help document and safeguard Black stories online. $150,000 to the Onyx Information Integrity LabThe lab connects Black digital creators with Black-owned newspapers to expand audience reach while ensuring the distribution of accurate, fact-checked information in the spaces where communities consume news online. View this post on Instagram Calls to Action Through the Invest in Black Media campaign, Onyx Impact is encouraging supporters and institutions to take action to strengthen Black media: Donate to NABJ’s Jubilee Fund during Black History Month to help match the $100,000 commitment. Philanthropic organizations and democracy funders are encouraged to match or exceed the $500,000 investment to support Black media as essential democratic infrastructure. Community members are encouraged to subscribe to local Black-owned news outlets, ensuring these trusted voices continue serving their communities. Go to onyximpact.org, click on Aisha, and type in your state to see a list curated for your community. Leaders Respond to the Investment Leaders across Black media organizations welcomed the investment and emphasized its importance in strengthening independent journalism. Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, highlighted the role Black newspapers have played for generations. “The Black Press has always held the line on trust and standing firm in the face of threats to our democracy,” Chavis said. “For 200 years, we have documented Black stories and protected truth. This investment will help Black-owned newspapers continue that mission in the digital age.” Roland S. Martin, NABJ Vice President for Digital and founder of the Black Star Network, said the funding reinforces the importance of sustaining independent Black-owned media. “This commitment ensures that Black-owned media not only survives, but thrives,” Martin said. “Financial support like this helps us maintain our commitment to telling the stories that matter to our communities.” Ron Busby Sr., president and CEO of the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., which manages NABOB, added that investing in Black media strengthens both culture and economic opportunity. “Black creators are storytellers, cultural architects, and entrepreneurs shaping the global narrative,” Busby said. “Supporting Black media means investing in our future.” Makiba Foster, co-founder of Archiving the Black Web, emphasized the importance of preserving Black stories in an era shaped by artificial intelligence and algorithmic bias. “If Black communities are not in control of preserving our digital footprints, technology systems will decide which of our stories survive,” Foster said. 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