Fund the next generation of local reporters, starting in Ferguson.

We’re raising $40,000 in collaboration with The Huffington Post to create a new type of fellowship that trains and promotes promising new journalists on the local level. It’s called the Ferguson Fellowship and it isn’t possible without your support.

For the first time, you have the power to ensure on-the-ground coverage from Ferguson remains a part of the national conversation. The first Ferguson Fellow, Mariah Stewart, has already made an impact with her coverage on Beacon. But she can do even more with training, guidance, and support from The Huffington Post.

Mariah’s coverage from Ferguson has already been seen on the BBC, Al Jazeera and beyond. With your support, she’ll be able to do even more with a fellowship at The Huffington Post.

Mariah’s coverage from Ferguson has already been seen on the BBC, Al-Jazeera and beyond. With your support, she’ll be able to do even more with a fellowship at The Huffington Post.

Back this project and support Mariah’s work →

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How the fellowship works

She’ll work closely for a whole year with The Huffington Post’s Ryan Reilly to cover the ongoing federal investigation into the killing of Michael Brown. Together, they’ll report on the activity of local and county police forces, long after the mainstream media returns home.

With your support, Mariah will learn the intricacies of public records requests. She’ll use those skills to investigate the funding sources and uses of military gear in St. Louis County, follow efforts to reform police procedures aimed at curbing abuse and monitor the ongoing activity of local police and their unfolding relationship with the local community. To enable this, we’re aiming to crowdfund at least $40,000 for 12 months of coverage plus benefits. After the first year, we’ll continue the fellowship if interest remains.

Backers on Beacon will get notifications whenever a new story is published, as well as exclusive interactions with Mariah and Ryan. Reporting from the fellowship will be shared with the more than 79 million people who read The Huffington Post each month, as well as made available on an open-source basis to any outlet interested in distributing it.

Back this fellowship →

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Meet Mariah Stewart

For the first year, Missouri journalist Mariah Stewart has been selected as the Ferguson fellow. Mariah was part of a group of journalists who were funded by Beacon readers to cover the protests in August 2014. She provided a raw, gripping look at the situation in Ferguson.

Mariah is a recent graduate of Lindenwood University in Saint Peters, Missouri. Her coverage has appeared on Al Jazeera, ABC Radio and the BBC.

Mariah sharing her experience with the world on BBC World News.

Back Mariah’s work →

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About Ryan Reilly

On August 13, Ryan was one of two reporters arrested at a McDonald’s while covering the protests in Ferguson, Missouri. He describes his experience here:

Their story was shared widely across social and traditional media and brought new attention to the unrest that followed the killing of an unarmed black teenager in the St. Louis suburb on Aug. 9.

Ryan covers the Justice Department and Supreme Court for The Huffington Post. He previously covered federal law enforcement and legal news for Talking Points Memo and MainJustice.com.

Ryan speaks about his experience being arrested in Ferguson.

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About this fellowship

This is a new experiment in how journalism can be funded and supported. Stories funded through this fellowship will be delivered to backers on Beacon but will also appear and get distributed by The Huffington Post. By funding this project, you’re creating journalism that has broad, national impact. And we’ll give you regular updates on how that’s shaping the conversation in Ferguson and beyond.

Back this project and help us keep the focus on Ferguson →

Poster image by Raffe Lazarian