November 24, 2009

Dear UNITY Supporter:

Over the past year, the journalism industry shed jobs at an alarming rate of 22% compared to 8% job loss in the overall economy.  How worse do you think this statistic is for journalists of color?

We know that historically as journalists of color we have been the last ones hired into newsrooms and too often the first ones to be let go.  While history stands, I am sure you will agree with me that these are different times and they call for a different and multifaceted approach to solutions. 

On behalf of UNITY: Journalists of Color (UNITY), I am making a personal appeal to you for a financial contribution of at least $25 in support of our mission to increase diversity in news media and in coverage of communities of color.  We applaud each of UNITY’s alliance partners for their unrelenting focus on efforts to provide assistance to their individual member journalists during these difficult times.  Similarly it is just as important for UNITY to support these efforts through timely research such as the 2008-2009 Layoff Tracker and public advocacy efforts such as supporting a free and open Internet through Net Neutrality, in order to create an enabling policy and business environment that values diversity as an integral part of our industry.  We have an opportunity to lead in the next phase of our industry by generating the most current and compelling research on issues affecting journalists of color as well as our participation in the formulation of policies to ensure inclusion of our communities in the future of the Internet as well as our industry.

As you have seen over the past year, your support to UNITY enables the organization to carry out our research efforts, advocacy campaigns such as the successful online petition to Fox News and News Corporation while also keeping our constituents informed about diversity and industry news as well as media policy issues.

I am confident that you recognize the importance of UNITY’s continuing leadership in these efforts; however we cannot do this without you.  Please lead with me and make a donation of $25 or more to our Annual Fund to ensure a voice for journalists of color and our communities in the media reform movement.  You may also be able to increase your impact through your company’s matching gifts program.

Kindly make your donation online or you may send a check including your company’s matching gift paperwork if applicable to UNITY: Journalists of Color, 7950 Jones Branch Drive, McLean, VA 22107.  Thank you in advance for your support.

Your Fellow Journalist in Service,

Barbara Ciara, President
UNITY: Journalists of Color