Honderich Family Funds Renamed Black Journalism Fellowship at Toronto Star
Event summary
- The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) renamed its Black Journalism Fellowship to the CJF John Honderich Black Journalism Fellowship at the Toronto Star, funded by a donation from the Honderich family.
- The 2026 fellowship, a six-month opportunity at Canada's largest newspaper, was awarded to Francisca Oppong, a Toronto-based video journalist and sports reporter.
- The fellowship, established in 2021, aims to elevate Black voices in Canadian media and has been supported by the Toronto Star for the past two years.
- The donation honors John Honderich, a former editor and publisher of the Toronto Star, who was committed to nurturing the next generation of journalists.
The big picture
The renaming and funding of the fellowship underscore the growing emphasis on diversity and inclusion in Canadian journalism. The Toronto Star's continued partnership highlights the strategic importance of fostering diverse talent to better reflect and serve the communities it covers. This initiative aligns with broader industry trends towards more inclusive newsrooms and the recognition of the value of diverse perspectives in journalism.
What we're watching
- Impact of Diversity
- How the fellowship will affect the representation and perspectives of Black journalists in Canadian media.
- Sustainability of Funding
- Whether the Honderich family's donation will lead to long-term financial support for the fellowship.
- Career Development
- The pace at which fellows like Francisca Oppong advance in their journalism careers post-fellowship.