Sun Herald reporter tells vital stories from Coast’s diverse communities. How you can help.
What a year it has been for Sun Herald reporter Isabelle Taft.
You may remember that Taft, who covers diverse communities on the Coast, came to the newspaper in the summer of 2020 from the Report for America program for young journalists.
Report for America, a national nonprofit organization, aims to help the nation’s journalism industry by placing hundreds of reporters at local newspapers throughout the country. In the second year of the reporter’s stay, RFA pays a third of the reporter’s annual salary. The host newsrooms are expected to work with their local communities to fund-raise for the rest.
Let me tell you what Taft has been up to in 2021.
This summer, she won the Bill Minor Prize for Investigative Journalism from the Mississippi Press Association. It’s the highest award they give out – and it usually goes to the most seasoned of reporters around the state. Taft snagged the award at the age of 26 for this story, telling how some Picayune residents spread false information that came close to triggering racial violence.
Taft also won five additional awards from the Mississippi Press Association. Five!
So I’m here to testify that she’s good.
Taft has brought our readers into communities we have not done a good job of covering, such as this story on the high vaccination rate among the local Vietnamese, or this story about development in a historically Black area of Gulfport called Soria City.
I hope you’ve seen enough of Taft’s name on our Web site and in the newspaper that you’ll be inspired to act, to send in a monetary donation that will help sponsor Taft’s important work.
As journalism has evolved, philanthropy is now a critical part of sustaining local news. Example: We funded a vaccine reporter earlier this year thanks to several generous local funders.
In Taft’s case, I would like to thank Mississippi Power Co. for its anchor donation to improving our reporting on local diverse communities. Having Taft as a part of the Sun Herald, and getting the community to support her, affirms our commitment to telling these stories.
Now, we need a little help to get our fund-raising over the finish line. We’ve still got about $20,000 to raise.
If you can help, click here and make a tax-deductible donation. It’s very easy. Or mail in a check made payable to “Journalism Funding Partners” or “JFP.” Put “Sun Herald” in the memo line, and include your email address so we can send you an acknowledgment email. Mail to: McClatchy, 1601 Alhambra Blvd, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95816.
Thank you for your continued support of the Sun Herald. I’m now in my 27th year at the Sun Herald and I remain bullish on the power of local journalism to better inform residents by asking tough questions and holding the powerful accountable.
This story was originally published October 25, 2021 at 5:50 AM.