Revived program builds on legacy, brings together community partners to create new career pathways for students
INDIANAPOLIS (July 30, 2026) — The Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper today announced the launch of its new Journalism Academy for Writing and Storytelling (JAWS), a paid fellowship program for Indianapolis high school students.
Five students from KIPP Indy Legacy High School make up the inaugural cohort, including three seniors, one junior, and one sophomore. The program is a partnership between The Recorder and The Mind Trust, whose School Community Partnership Investment (SCPI) of $15,000 helped make the paid fellowship component of the program possible.
JAWS provides students with hands-on experience in journalism and multimedia storytelling, including reporting, interviewing, writing, photography, video, podcasting, and digital media. Student work will be published by the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper.
The program builds upon the legacy of the Recorder’s former Journalism and Writing Seminars (JAWS), which was founded in the early 90’s. The expanded program reflects the evolution of storytelling platforms and introduces students to a broader range of career pathways in journalism, media, and communications.
“For more than 130 years, the Indianapolis Recorder has believed in the power of storytelling to inform, inspire, and strengthen our community,” said Robert Shegog, Recorder President and CEO. “JAWS builds on that legacy by investing in the next generation of journalists, communicators, and storytellers. Through hands-on newsroom experience and mentorship from industry professionals, these students will develop their voices, strengthen their skills, report on issues that matter, and see their work published for our community. More importantly, we want them to leave JAWS knowing that their voices, ideas, and perspectives have the power to make a difference.”
The five-week summer academy is hosted at Edna Martin Christian Center and combines classroom instruction with hands-on assignments led by communications professionals.
“Our students have extraordinary talent, ambition, and potential, and they deserve opportunities to explore the many paths available to them,” said Martha Cortes, Chief Partnerships Officer, KIPP Indy Schools. “Preparing students for college, careers, and life extends beyond the classroom. It requires strong partnerships with organizations that open doors to real-world experiences, meaningful relationships, and career exploration. These opportunities help students discover their interests, build confidence, and make informed decisions about the futures they want to pursue. We are grateful to partner with organizations like the Indianapolis Recorder that are investing in our students and helping them envision what’s possible.”
“The relaunch of the JAWS program is significant on so many levels, “ said Barato Britt, President and CEO of Edna Martin Christian Center. “The collaborative investment not only reflects the continued depth in approach among Martindale Brightwood institutions; I know firsthand it will offer students opportunities to develop their voices and expression. As a Recorder alum, I’m personally grateful that EMCC can lend a role to this program’s reintroduction to a new generation of students.”
Students who complete the summer academy will continue into the JAWS Fall Fellowship, which provides ongoing mentorship and additional reporting opportunities during the school year.
The program is designed to expose students to careers in journalism, communications, public relations, broadcasting, and digital media, while building transferable workplace skills.
“At The Mind Trust, we believe students deserve experiences that connect learning to real careers and help them explore what’s possible after high school,” said Shannon Williams, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of The Mind Trust. “It’s also meaningful to see the new iteration of JAWS and to know I played a small part in its earlier chapter. I’ve seen how opportunities like this can help young people build confidence, find their voice, and discover possibilities they may not have considered before.”
Williams previously served as a JAWS instructor during her 18-year career at The Recorder where she led in multiple capacities, including editor, vice president, and president.
According to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education, just over half of Indiana high school graduates immediately enroll in college or another form of postsecondary education. Programs like JAWS expand exposure to career pathways and professional experiences prior to graduation.
Founded in 1895, the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper is one of the nation’s leading Black newspapers. JAWS continues its investment in developing young storytellers in Indianapolis. For more information, visit indianapolisrecorder.com.
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About the Indianapolis Recorder and Recorder Charities
Founded in 1895, the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper is one of the nation’s oldest Black newspapers and Indiana’s longest continuously operating African American publication. For more than 130 years, the Recorder has been a trusted source of journalism, storytelling, and community connection, amplifying voices and covering the issues that matter most to Indianapolis’ Black community and beyond. Through Recorder Charities, the nonprofit arm of TheRecorder, the organization extends its legacy of service by investing in youth development, education, leadership, and community empowerment. Through programs that create opportunities for young people to learn, lead, and share their stories, Recorder Charities continues the Recorder’s mission of informing, uplifting, and strengthening communities for generations to come. Learn more at indianapolisrecorder.com.
About Edna Martin Christian Center
Edna Martin Christian Center (EMCC), founded in 1941, is a nonprofit organization housed in the historic Martindale Brightwood neighborhood, dedicated to empowering individuals and strengthening families through education, youth development, workforce readiness, health and wellness, stability efforts, and neighborhood engagement. EMCC envisions peaceful, connected, and thriving neighborhoods where all are free to live, learn, work, worship, and play. Learn more at ednamartincc.org.
About KIPP Indy
KIPP Indy Public Schools educates over 1,500 K-12 students across three schools in the Indianapolis neighborhood of Martindale-Brightwood. Together with families and communities, KIPP Indy creates joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose –college, career, and beyond – so they can lead fulfilling lives and create a more just world. KIPP Indy is an autonomous member of the national KIPP Public Schools network of over 275 public charter schools and is a proud member of the Indianapolis Public Schools Charter Innovation Network.
About The Mind Trust
The Mind Trust is an Indianapolis-based education nonprofit that works to build a system of schools that gives every student, no exceptions, access to a high-quality education. The Mind Trust does this by building a supportive environment for schools through policy and community engagement, empowering talented, diverse educators to launch new schools, and providing existing schools with the support they need to hire world-class talent and achieve excellence. Since 2006, The Mind Trust has supported the launch of more than 50 schools, 15 education nonprofit organizations, and has helped place over 2,000 teachers and school leaders in Indianapolis. Learn more at themindtrust.org.
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