INMA and the Google News Initiative (GNI) today announced 50 winners of the fourth-annual Elevate Scholarship award focused on diversity and inclusion in the news media industry.

The scholarship recipients from 65 countries were selected from 319 applications and will receive a one-year membership to INMA as well as complimentary registration to three INMA virtual master classes.

The Elevate Scholarship programme aims to strengthen the news business by equipping new faces and voices with strong media industry fundamentals as well as networking and professional development opportunities. 

The scholarship elevates historically underrepresented and disadvantaged groups in early- to mid-career positions. Such groups include race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, access to higher education, immigration, disabilities, and more.

“The inclusion of underrepresented professionals in the news media industry is critical for building audience trust and maintaining profitability,” said Earl J. Wilkinson, executive director and CEO of INMA. “INMA is honoured to champion and support news industry diversity and inclusion efforts, and we couldn’t be prouder of this year’s class of scholarship recipients.”

“At the Google News Initiative, our mission is to empower journalists and publishers in fighting misinformation, sharing resources, and building a vibrant and diverse news ecosystem around the world,” said Tiffany Proscia, news partner manager at Google. “We are thrilled to partner with INMA on the Elevate Scholarship programme, which aligns perfectly with our values of promoting excellence and fostering future leaders in the news industry. We’re thrilled to celebrate the 50 incredible professionals who were selected.”

The 50 professionals selected for Elevate Scholarships are:

• Adams Agalic, tech project management Lead, Pulse Africa, Ghana.

• Laura Albiol Soler, data and social media editor, Relevo, Spain.

• Hayah Alshihabi, project manager/business development (younger audiences), Financial Times, United Kingdom.

• Hannatu-Favour Asheolge, reporter, TechCabal, Nigeria. 

• Azad Baig, digital growth editor, The Daily Star, Bangladesh.

• Evan Berbette, associate producer/newsletters, off-platform and new audiences team, CNN, United States.   

• Angsuman Bhattacharyya, manager-IT product, ABP Group, India.

• Anthony Bottan, director of newsroom metrics, Newsday, United States.

• Jim Bulley, group coordinator and sports desk chief, JoongAng Ilbo, South Korea.

• Savannah Carracino, director of human resources, WEHCO Media, United States.

• Irene Chidi-Nwuke, principal producer, Nigerian Television Authority, Nigeria.

• Hossain Al Farabi, digital product manager, The Daily Prothom Alo, Bangladesh.

• Thomas Flax, broadcast editor, Russmedia Digital, Austria.

• Eva Gaigalniece, senior news editor and journalist, Media Apollo.lv, TVNet Group, Latvia    

• Tania González, global director of audience development, Condé Nast, United States.

• Ares Ibrahim, product lead, Ippen Digital, Germany.

• Ukashatu Ibrahim Wakili, senior producer, Vision FM Sokoto, Nigeria. 

• Faheem Khota, audience development manager, IOL, South Africa.

• Juri Kono, digital marketing manager, Nikkei, Japan.    

• Olha Konsevych, journalist, Der Tagesspiegel, Germany.    

• Yvette Kwok, head of growth and product, Initium Media, Hong Kong.    

• Ana Raquel Lelles, journalist, Metrópoles, Brazil.    

• Hsin-Yu Lu, journalist, Eastern Broadcasting Company, Taiwan.

• Neha Mahajan, assistant editor, The Indian Express, India. 

• Laila Majiet, audio visual editor, SNL24 (a division of Media24), South Africa.         

• Anthony Makokha, audio visual/digital managing editor, Standard Media Group, Kenya.    

• Carlos J. Martínez-Rivera, senior editor/subscriptions, GFR Media/El Nuevo Día, Puerto Rico.
• Kristie May, managing editor, NowKalamazoo, United States.

• Koffi Messan, TV broadcast technician, TV Plus Gabon Libreville, Gabon.  

• Sosten Mpinganjira, news editor, Nthanda Times, Malawi. 

• Florence Mwale, editor, Capital Radio Malawi, Malawi.

• Tongai Mwenje, reporter, TechMagTv, Zimbabwe.  

• Green Ndume, news editor, Capital TV, Nigeria.

• Brian Mikhael Ochoa, copy editor, Inquirer.net, Philippines.

• Chiamaka Juliet Osueke, editor/reporter, Jully Media/ Royal FM, Nigeria.

• Hazhar Othman, head of newsroom, Aran Organization for the Development of Civic Culture, Iraq.        

• Najm Aldain Qasem‬‏, investigative journalist, Daraj Media, Yemen.

• Mahbub Rashid, deputy news editor, Nagorik Television, Bangladesh.

• Nico Russo, product manager for digital content, Canal 9, Argentina.

• Marcello Henrique Santos Correa da Silva, coordinator, Editora Globo (Valor Econômico), Brazil.

• Michael Schrantz, marketing communications manager, High Country News, United States. 
• Nabila Marzuk Shanta, producer, Nagorik Television, Bangladesh.

• Tori Smith, marketing manager, The Wall Street Journal, United States.  

• Clara Soteras, head of SEO and product, El Nacional, Spain.

• Amelie Sutton, product manager, Gannett, United States. 

• Harshita Tiwari, senior product manager, Hindustan Times, India.  

• Tiffany Vitti, head of marketing, Private Media, Australia.

• Alaya White, marketing manager/subscriber acquisition, The Philadelphia Inquirer, United States.

• Mabel Wong, senior product manager/audience products, Stuff, New Zealand.

• Desirée Yépez, journalist and digital producer, Radio Ambulante Studios, Ecuador.

More information about the Elevate Scholarship can be found here.

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