Introduction

Welcome to the 2023 Black Media Green Book, a resource that aims to make connecting Black media outlets with freelancers, experts, and technology partners easier and more accessible.

The title of this report is inspired by the historical publication known as The Negro Motorist Green Book, or simply The Green Book – a travel guide that listed hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and other businesses that were friendly and safe for Black travelers during the era of racial segregation in the United States. The Green Book was an invaluable resource for Black travelers who faced discrimination and violence everywhere, including while traveling. It also helped to promote and support Black-owned businesses across the country.

Similarly, this report aims to be a useful resource for Black media outlets who face challenges and barriers in the media industry, particularly with regards to technology access and use. It also provides a directory of freelancers, experts, and technology partners who have experience and expertise in working with Black media. We have also included insights and best practices on how to collaborate effectively and efficiently with these partners. We hope this resource can facilitate more connections and opportunities for Black media outlets to grow and thrive in an ever-changing media landscape.

As the Black Media Initiative Director, my many conversations with various Black publishers and journalists have shown that finding talent and technology that meets the needs of Black media is a challenge. Many of them expressed frustration with the lack of diversity and representation in the media industry and the difficulty of finding reliable and trustworthy partners who understand their specific situations. With this report the Center for Community Media hopes to demystify the process of finding freelancers, experts, and technology partners who can support and enhance the work of Black media.

Cheryl Thompson-Morton
Black Media Initiative Director
Center for Community Media
Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York