Now in its fourth year, the Local Journalism Fellowship is a paid 13-week opportunity for aspiring and emerging journalists from communities underrepresented in Canadian media to learn the craft of magazine-style community journalism and make important industry connections.

At The Local, we believe that the absence of diversity in newsrooms is holding back Canadian journalism from its full potential and limiting the kinds of stories we are capable of reporting. The Fellowship is an important part of our Race, Representation, and Equity Commitment. This year’s Fellowship is supported by the Inspirit Foundation.

Fellows will work alongside the editorial team—assisting with production, attending seminars, and producing an in-depth story of their own. After narrowing the field from dozens of impressive candidates, we’re thrilled to welcome Khadija Alam, Mobólúwajídìde (“Bo”) D. Joseph, Daysha Loppie, and Sakeina Syed to The Local.

Khadija Alam

Khadija Alam is a Toronto-based journalist who is passionate about community-centred and solutions-oriented stories. She is completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto and will be attending Columbia Journalism School’s Stabile Centre for Investigative Journalism this fall.

Mobólúwajídìde (“Bo”) D. Joseph

Mobólúwajídìde D. Joseph is a Nigerian writer who lives in Toronto. He is a masters student in human geography at the University of Toronto. He writes poetry, fiction, and essays and is interested in cultural politics and abolitionist organizing.

Daysha Loppie

Daysha Loppie is a journalist based in Toronto. Her work has been published by the Toronto Star, West End Phoenix, ByBlacks, and more. Daysha is currently enrolled at Toronto Metropolitan University, where she was awarded the Len Coates Memorial Award two consecutive years for her journalism.

Sakeina Syed

Sakeina Syed is a freelance journalist based in Toronto. Her writing has appeared in The Walrus, Maisonneuve, Teen Vogue, the Toronto Star,  and others. You can reach her at sakeina.com.