The Business of Fashion is launching the second iteration of the annual Next Generation Black Journalists Fellowship, a six-month, part-time, paid reporting and writing programme designed to train and publish aspiring Black writers in the field of fashion business journalism.
Black culture has an outsized influence on the fashion and beauty businesses, not only in designing the products, images and silhouettes that influence the consumer at large, but also setting trends and validating status symbols that define a cultural moment. But behind-the-scenes, Black professionals are underrepresented and often lack opportunities to join the talent pipeline. The disparity extends to the media outlets that cover the sector, a problem that the fellowship seeks to address.
Eligibility
The BoF Next Generation Black Journalists Fellowship aims to support Black writers with a passionate interest in the business of fashion and beauty who do not have an extensive track record of published work. Are you a recent graduate hoping to break into journalism? Do you work behind the scenes in fashion production but dream of writing about the industry? Are you a retail worker with a flair for writing? Or a nurse who wants to bring your science education to writing about beauty products? This programme could be for you.
Black writers from any country are eligible to apply. This includes individuals of mixed heritage. Applicants are welcome to continue working full or part-time in other parts of the fashion industry, or in other sectors, during the fellowship. Applicants may be based in any geography. University education is not required, nor is a formal resume.
Fellowship Details
How long is the fellowship?
The program will start on Jun. 1, 2022, lasting six months to conclude in November.
Is the fellowship paid?
Yes, fellows will be paid. The program does not include benefits. Pre-approved reporting expenses that align with our editorial policies will be reimbursed.
How many fellows are in the programme?
We plan to work with two fellows this year.
Who chooses the fellows?
The fellows are chosen by members of BoF’s editorial team, as well as BoF’s Diversity & Inclusion Council.
How are applications judged?
The prime objective of the fellowship is to identify and train future journalists. Candidates must show a dedication to either the media or the fashion industry. Prospective fellows will submit answers to a series of questions explaining why they want to be a part of the fellowship and share thoughts on the kinds of stories they would like to write. They will also send through a writing sample, which can be any written content whether it’s a blog post, essay or thread on social media. Applications will be reviewed on the basis of the quality of their ideas and passion for the business of fashion and beauty, as well as their career ambitions. Applicants need not limit their focus to diversity, inclusion or equity issues.
What kind of work will the fellows perform?
Fellows will spend upwards of four hours a week in the first two months of the fellowship to train and study the basic principles of journalism, from interviewing to sourcing to pitching and writing. In the following four months, fellows will write up to six articles, including short news stories and features pieces. These will be published on BoF and require upwards of 10 hours per week per feature story. Fellows will be required to adhere to our strict editorial principles and ethics policy. Candidates can have part- or full-time jobs to which the schedule can be accommodating, but fellows are expected to fulfil the weekly time commitment.
What kind of experience should the fellows expect?
Fellows will be paired with members of our editorial team who will first provide a thorough curriculum on reporting fundamentals and go through these lessons with the fellows every week. Lessons will be accompanied by weekly assignments. When it’s time for fellows to begin reporting, their journalist mentor will guide them through the process of pitching, reporting, writing, fact-checking and producing a story for publication.
Will BoF require fellows to follow BoF’s editorial policy?
Yes, fellows will need to adhere to BoF’s editorial policies, which include guidelines around reporting practices and conflicts of interest. While we understand fellows may work in other parts of the fashion and beauty industries while participating in the program, they are prohibited from writing about any company with which they are employed in any capacity or in which they have any financial interest.
How to Apply
Please fill out the Typeform application below by Apr. 30, 2022, at 5 p.m. EST. You will be asked to submit a writing sample (see above for guidelines) and written responses to the following prompts below. While there are no restrictions on length, we recommend that you aim for less than 300 words per question. Applications will not be considered unless all the questions are addressed. Formal resumes are not required.
- Please briefly introduce yourself to us.
- What are your career ambitions and how have you been working toward them?
- Why are you interested in the business side of the fashion and/or beauty industry?
- What is the most important issue in the fashion or beauty industries today that is not already covered extensively by the media? Choose one, be specific and explain why the issue is significant to you.
- What do you hope to get out of this fellowship?
