The San Quentin Media Fest, showcasing work from incarcerated and previously incarcerated journalists, kicked off SPJ NorCal’s fundraiser for its satellite chapter on Saturday, Aug. 16.
If you missed the event, you can catch coverage by CBS Bay Area and see a list of work displayed on the event page.
Our fundraising needs total $5,000. Your contribution will go toward supporting the development of incarcerated journalists at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center (Formerly San Quentin State Prison) through a volunteer training and mentorship program facilitated by the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
All funds raised will pay annual dues for SPJ members inside San Quentin and help cover the cost of annual journalism events inside the prison, such as last year’s media demo day. Any additional funds will be used to purchase equipment needed to produce print, audio, video and photojournalism. (We may also accept donated equipment, but it must undergo a lengthy approval process through the prison.)
Each $40 donation will cover the annual dues for one incarcerated journalist. SPJ membership cards mean a great deal to these journalists, who proudly hold them as proof they are professionals with stories to tell and narratives to change.
San Quentin’s SPJ chapter has existed as a satellite chapter of SPJ NorCal for more than a decade. Many of San Quentin’s SPJ members have gone on to work as professional journalists upon their release.
Incarcerated SPJ members attend weekly classes taught by professional journalists and have access to equipment inside the San Quentin media center. Their work is published by media outlets both inside and outside San Quentin.
SPJ events inside the prison introduce incarcerated members’ work to the outside world and foster networking opportunities with working journalists across the United States.
Your support is key to keeping this unique program running. You make make tax-deductible donations here and be sure to select “San Quentin Program” under the “Apply My Donation To” section.
Questions? Interested in volunteering? Contact us at spjnorcal@gmail.com
Learn more about the journalism happening inside San Quentin:
- The San Quentin News: https://sanquentinnews.com/
- The “Ear Hustle” Podcast (it’s won pretty much every national award possible): https://www.earhustlesq.com/
- The “Uncuffed” Podcast produced through KALW: https://www.weareuncuffed.org/about
- San Quentin TV/First Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPVqtkrkFIU
- Wall City Magazine: https://sanquentinnews.com/san-quentin-news-launches-wall-city-magazine/
- Early video sample about the SQ basketball team that faces off each year against representatives from the Golden State Warriors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNZ8qj_o9ZI