Through February 2, creators from around the world can apply to earn an online certificate in our 100-day entrepreneurial program
Entrepreneurs and creators in journalism are invited to apply for the Entrepreneurial Journalism Creators Program (EJCP) at CUNY’s Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. This unique 100-day online certificate program is now open for applications through February 2. The upcoming cohort — the program’s eighth — will start March 19 and conclude June 13.
EJCP provides independent and employed journalists around the world with the opportunity to enhance their skills and develop niche news products such as newsletters, podcasts, video channels, or local sites. The program equips participants with entrepreneurial skills essential for building community-serving products.
Journalists selected for the program will embark on a journey from refining their product ideas to growing an audience and establishing a revenue portfolio, ensuring the sustainability of their projects.
When Flavian DeLima, a participant in the Spring 2023 cohort, started his Spinning Forward newsletter in 2022, he knew he wanted to help content creators of color thrive in the Toronto region. He needed help and was drawn to the cohort-based EJCP program because he wanted to join others in learning from expert instructors and seasoned mentors.
“I applied for the EJCP program because I wanted to belong to a global community that would welcome me, despite feeling lost at times,” he said. “The expert instructors, mentors, and the cohort not only challenged me but also kept me on track to become a better leader and to understand why this work matters to our local community.”
During the program, he spoke one-on-one with local community members about their experiences, which helped inform his editorial strategy. These conversations led him to expand the mission of his venture and build partnerships with community stakeholders, including colleges, universities, nonprofits, businesses, and the Canadian government. Spinning Forward won the New Business of the Year Award from LION Publishers in October 2023.
“The doors opening and momentum happening today are because of baby steps taken and seeds planted at defining milestones like EJCP,” he said. “For solo founders, the journey is lonely and overwhelming, while trying to keep various balls in the air. The EJCP community made me feel that I belonged and was less alone. It’s about finding your tribe so that you can make connections and move forward together.”
Since the online program launched in 2020, 171 creators have been selected from about 700 applicants across seven cohorts. Creators have joined from more than 45 countries, territories, and administrative states around the world, from Austria, Brazil and China to Poland, Romania and Zimbabwe. Graduates have continued to build and grow their projects, win awards, and receive significant financial support for their ventures. Our alumni have received hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants, donations, subscriptions, and capital funds.
“It’s amazing how much people accomplish in 100 days,” said Program Director Jeremy Caplan, of the program’s transformative impact. “People come in with a raw idea and end up with a polished prototype they’re proud of.”
Many program participants expand the audience for their newsletter, podcast or niche site and find new ways to make money. “When you’re around people who share your goal of building a bigger audience and finding sustainable revenue streams, you try things you might be slow to experiment with alone. And when you need help pivoting, you’ve got support,” he said. “That community of support plays a big role in empowering creators to contribute their powerful voices to the news ecosystem.”
The curriculum features live and asynchronous learning for people all over the world. It incorporates a variety of online learning approaches, including workshops, mentorship, readings, videos, case studies, projects and engaging live discussions.
The instructional team features innovators and industry leaders who bring expertise in journalism, product development, community engagement, marketing, and revenue expansion.
The program is open to anyone who already has a niche journalism project or idea, or anyone who has identified a community to serve or a problem to solve. Instruction will be in English; fluency is required.
Tuition is $4,000 and limited scholarships are available. Applications to join the next cohort are open through Friday, February 2 at 11:59 p.m. ET. To be considered for the program, applicants must submit a short online application. For updates, please register for our mailing list.
To learn more about the program and to hear about Flavian’s entrepreneurial journey, join us for a live Open House via Zoom on Wednesday, January 10 from 11 a.m.-Noon ET! This event offers an opportunity to meet the organizing team and hear from alumni about the impact of the program on their venture. RSVP to join our virtual session here.