Building a strong future for local journalism requires leadership committed to sustainable news organizations — and the coalitions that support them. It means showing up for communities, earning trust, and laying the groundwork for long-term support amid mounting pressures. The challenges are real, but so is the momentum.
That was the spirit behind this year’s AJPalooza, where nearly 200 newsroom leaders, funders and partners from across the American Journalism Project community gathered in New Orleans. Centered on the themes of leadership and coalition, the event called on attendees to lead with vision, build alongside others, and stay rooted in the communities they serve.
Leadership, coalitions and journalistic impact
Across the American Journalism Project portfolio, local news leaders are working to build resilient, sustainable organizations that foster trust in their communities. AJPalooza opened with a clear call for strong coalitions: networks of people who can champion local journalism, unlock new resources, and help carry this work forward.
Two sessions expanded the conversation around leadership and its connection to community impact. In a panel moderated by Evan Smith of Emerson Collective, Lauren Williams of Capital B, Jessica Perez of Boyle Heights Beat (part of the L.A. Local News Initiative) and Adam Ganucheau of Mississippi Today reflected on their work in their communities, emphasizing the power of consistency, connection, and truly listening to those they serve.
Another conversation, led by Richard Tofel, principal at Gallatin Advisory and former ProPublica president, explored how to lead through complexity and growth. CEOs from the Salt Lake Tribune, Signal Ohio, and the Texas Tribune shared how they’re balancing expansion, sustainability, and trust — and what they’ve learned along the way. A consistent theme emerged: Leadership in local news means adapting constantly, listening deeply and staying anchored in mission.
Advancing growth in local news
In a one-on-one conversation, Sarabeth Berman, CEO of the American Journalism Project, sat down with Maribel Peréz Wadsworth, president and CEO of Knight Foundation, to reflect on Knight’s deep investment in local journalism, including its recent $25 million investment in the American Journalism Project and the creation of the Knight Resiliency Lab. Their discussion highlighted a shared vision: building newsrooms that not only inform communities but also help them thrive.
Berman and Michael Ouimette, AJP’s chief investment officer, gave our “State of the Portfolio” update, an annual overview of the data and growth from our portfolio of 50 local news organizations operating in 36 states. In 2024, the organizations in our portfolio generated more than $125 million in revenue, a 22 percent increase from the previous year. More data on this work will be shared in our forthcoming impact report.
Building on shared learning and getting into “the weeds”
One of our organizing principles at AJPalooza is to get into “the weeds” — we see the importance of unpacking the challenges and opportunities together in practical, applicable ways. Throughout AJPalooza, smaller, in-depth breakout sessions created space for learning, peer exchange and problem-solving across disciplines. Leaders dug into reader revenue, audience trust, impact measurement, legal risk, AI experimentation and more.
A few themes stood out: Trust is built through transparency. Impact must be tracked, shared and learned from. Audience and revenue strategies are most effective when aligned. And leadership means creating space for others to lead — by building trust, offering support, and making room for shared ownership. These sessions reflected the collaborative spirit that powers our field, and the growing momentum across the portfolio.
Local first: A spotlight on New Orleans and the Deep South
Each year, we host AJPalooza in a different community served by our portfolio — because local journalism must be rooted in, and led by, local communities. This year’s gathering was hosted in partnership with Deep South Today, a network of nonprofit local newsrooms including Mississippi Today and New Orleans-based Verite News; the organization is rebuilding and growing local journalism in communities across the Deep South.
We had the opportunity to hear from Deep South Today’s leaders, Warwick Sabin, CEO of Deep South Today, Mary Margaret White, CEO of Mississippi Today, and David Francis, CEO of Verite News. They discussed the growth of nonprofit news in the Deep South and emphasized the need for local roots, adaptability and shared infrastructure.
Attendees also participated in community-led trips across New Orleans — exploring the layers of Mardi Gras, post-Katrina recovery, City Park, and the history behind the French Quarter — offering a deep sense of place and a space to reflect on the role of local journalism.
We closed the main portion of AJPalooza with dinner at the historic Orpheum Theater in New Orleans’s Central Business District, joined by members of the local community. Sabin and Ganucheau reflected on the importance of public-service journalism in the South. Later, Imani Perry, 2023 MacArthur Fellow and winner of the 2022 National Book Award, sat down with Terry Baquet, editor-in-chief of Verite News, to discuss the role of journalism in documenting truth, building public understanding, and helping communities navigate complex history.
A tribute to John Thornton
In perhaps the most moving part of AJPalooza, attendees gathered to honor the life and legacy of AJP co-founder John Thornton. We joined in a second line parade — a New Orleans tradition celebrating life, remembrance and shared purpose. It was a powerful tribute to someone whose vision for local news continues to resonate across the country.
AJPalooza 2025 was an inspiring, energizing gathering. We left New Orleans with renewed optimism — and a deep sense of shared purpose — for building resilient local news organizations that keep our institutions honest and strengthen civic life.
All photos, unless otherwise noted, by Kathy Anderson Photography for the American Journalism Project.
