Scripps Howard Foundation Announces 2021 Class Of Journalism Fellows

The Scripps Howard Foundation has selected four journalists for the 2021 class of its Scripps Howard Fellowship program.

The Scripps Howard Fellows were selected from approximately 400 applicants to complete the yearlong program, which will run from June 2021 through May 2022.

“As part of our mission, we are focused on preparing the next generation of journalists for an evolving news industry,” said Liz Carter, president and CEO of the Scripps Howard Foundation. “The Scripps Howard Fellowship program is vital to developing a diverse pool of talented young journalists and equipping them with the skills needed to become leaders in today’s changing media landscape.”

The fellowship is offered in partnership with ProPublica, an independent, nonprofit newsroom in New York City, and the Scripps Washington Bureau.

The Fellows will spend the year working side by side with reporters and editorial leaders at the two outlets, developing and using their expertise in a specialty, like data reporting or visual journalism, while being exposed to other components of the newsroom. They also will participate in off-site workshops on leadership, project management, innovation and the business of journalism.

The 2021-2022 Scripps Howard Fellows are:

Brooke Stephenson — A 2019 graduate of the college of William and Mary, Stephenson’s background includes freelancing for Trail Runner magazine and working as a marketing consultant. In 2018, Stephenson was a reporting fellow as part of the Pulitzer Center’s Sharp Seminar, where she covered the lack of police protection in indigenous Alaskan communities and its effect on public safety. She will work at ProPublica.

Charmaine Runes — Runes is a master’s degree candidate at the University of Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in economics fromMacalester College in 2015.Her professional experience includes policy research at the Urban Institute, public service at the Chicago Department of Public Health and data reporting for South Side Weekly in Chicago. Runes will work in the Scripps Washington Bureau and with Newsy.

Kaisha Young — Young is an award-winning visual journalist who tells stories through digital and documentary video. In 2019, she earned her master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, where she studied social justice and investigative reporting. She has a bachelor’s degree in communication from Clemson University. Young will work in the Scripps Washington Bureau and with Newsy.

Laila Milevski — Milevski is an award-winning illustrator and comic artist and an adjunct faculty member at Maryland Institute College of Art. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Maryland Institute College of Art and a bachelor’s degree from Amherst College. She has been placed at ProPublica in New York City, where she will work as an illustrator and visual journalist.