[New deadline / pay rate] Pitches wanted (history, inequities) | $1,750+ per writer

COMPANY/PUBLICATION: GUMBO MEDIA / LIVING CITIES (SELECTED CITIES)

[Please note that they have extended the deadline from January 1 to 15 and increased the pay rate from $1,000 to $1,750.]

Deadline: 15 January 2021

CALL FOR PITCHES! We're partnering with Living Cities to tell stories that reckon with history and racial inequities, and imagine new futures. Seeking Black/Brown writers from ABQ, Austin, Memphis, Minneapolis, Rochester, St. Paul. Due 1/15. Pay: $1,750+.

YEAR OF RECKONING

The Closing the Gaps Network (CTG), organized by Living Cities, unites leaders from cities across the country who are committed to imagining what an anti-racist society might look like, and to playing an important role in building it through transforming government policies, practices, and operations.

Within Closing the Gaps Network, six cities are taking part in a Year of Reckoning cohort. Through this deep, year-long experience, this cohort will build on the racial equity work already underway in their cities. These six cities are (in alphabetical order):

• Albuquerque (NM)
• Austin (TX)
• Memphis (TN)
• Minneapolis (MN)
• Rochester (NY)
• St. Paul (MN)

An important step in this communal reckoning is taking the time to better study, listen, and learn about these cities’ unique histories, how they were designed to create inequitable outcomes, and who has been organizing for racial justice throughout. This is why Living Cities has partnered with Gumbo Media to curate nuanced, dynamic storytelling around the cities in the Year of Reckoning Cohort.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking ONE writer/researcher from each of the six cities above to engage in a three-month-long (at minimum) research and storytelling process, culminating in a comprehensive historical narrative on their respective city, to be published and widely circulated. There is potential for this work to lead to longer-term engagements. Each writer will be compensated $1,750.

Could you be the voice to represent your city? If so, we’d love to learn more about you.

GUIDELINES

We are seeking varied narrative approaches, ranging from analytical assessments to memoiristic narratives, etc. We’ll be intentional about selecting a broad range of storytelling approaches that work individually and pair well together as a collective body of work.

Black, Indigenous, People of Color and/or people who identify as women, trans, non-binary, queer, disabled, youth, immigrant and/or formerly incarcerated are strongly encouraged to apply.

As we are only commissioning six (6) storytellers, we expect all applicants to fit the following requirements:

• Must have a connection to the city you’re applying for
• Strong writing and editing skills
• Strong approach to and understanding of research processes
• Excellent communicator (as this will be a highly collaborative process)
• Understands how the construct of race has impacted the distribution of power and the recognition of innovation, creativity and voice throughout history
• Also encouraged: a talent for bold artistic, imaginative, and creative thinking

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Applications: Via the webform

Website: https://www.livingcities.org/, https://www.gumbomedia.com/