The 2025 Reimagining Philadelphia Journalism Summit

At this year’s Summit, we’ll surface real solutions for the future of news through social media, A.I. tools, and sustainability practices in newsrooms. The convening will also bring in a diverse lineup of civic engagement leaders to discuss how they are working to maintain trust in communities across Philadelphia — and what news organizations can learn from them. Join us for a day of discussion and unique insights from  local news trailblazers, innovators, and researchers from in and around Philadelphia. Returning to guide this year’s event is Andrea Lawful Sanders, who will lead us through a day focused on progress and shared purpose.

This year’s Reimagining Philadelphia Journalism Summit is meant to reinstill faith in the meaning of journalism, media, and the way we practice and evolve. We’ll have honest and thought-provoking conversations about different media platforms, engagement strategies, and tangible plans for a more sustainable future of journalism in Philadelphia for the generations to come.

At the Summit, we will explore the role of journalism as a community tool that provides ethical coverage with the duty of being transparent to its audience. What protections have been put in place to ensure that young people are getting facts instead of fiction? How do we ensure that legacy journalism is moving in an innovative way to prevent misinformation farms online?

This in-person event will build upon the insights and hopes that surfaced during last year’s Reimagining Philadelphia Journalism Summit, which invited participants to build a collective vision of the future of journalism in Philadelphia.

Nearly 500 people have participated in this event since its launch in 2020, affirming the pressing need for newsrooms that reflect and serve communities, center listening, and shift from a posture of inclusion to one of belonging. This time around, we will allow attendees to learn directly from those who are developing practical strategies, researchers, and modernizers to address these topics and speak to their experiences.

• Welcome and introduction of our emcee: Shawn Mooring, Head of Philadelphia Programs at The Lenfest Institute for Journalism

• Introduction from emcee: Andrea Lawful Sanders, CEO, ALawfultruth Media

• Overview and objectives for the Summit: Jim Friedlich, Executive Director and CEO of The Lenfest Institute for Journalism

The discussion will explore how we can equip the next generation with the skills and resilience needed to navigate today’s media landscape while addressing the broader challenges facing higher education, including pressures on international students and freedom of speech on college campuses. Participants will share insights into how education programs are shaping journalism careers and provide perspectives from those leading these initiatives and those directly benefiting from them. Together, we will discuss current concerns, envision the future of the field, and celebrate the possibilities ahead.

Speakers: 

• Elizabeth Flores, Vice President of News, NBC10 and Telemundo62
• Ashton Jackson, Reporter, CNBC Make It / Host of CNBC’s “Millennial Money”
• David Mindich, Journalism Professor, Klein College of Media and Communication at Temple University
• Sidney Rochnik, Editor-in-Chief, The Temple News
• Sulaiman Rahman, Founder and CEO of DiverseForce

Join Pew Research Center for a data-driven exploration of how platforms like TikTok, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook are emerging as the primary news sources for diverse age groups. This 20-minute presentation will provide insights into the shifting landscape of news consumption, highlighting trends, generational differences, and the implications for journalism and society.

Speaker:

• Galen Stocking, Senior Computational Social Scientist, Pew Research Center

Building on earlier insights into how platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok are reshaping the way people access, engage with, and share news, this session will feature perspectives from local journalists and media organizations. We’ll explore how they are adapting to these shifts, what strategies they are using to connect with audiences, and how they’re leveraging social media to engage more effectively in an evolving digital landscape.

Speakers:

• Danya Henninger, Editorial Director, Technical.ly
• Cherri Gregg, Co-host, Studio 2, WHYY
• Jai Smith, Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Lehigh Daily
• Letrell Crittenden, Inaugural Director, Center for Community-Engaged Media, Temple University (moderator)

This session explores the collaboration between TYP Social Media Co. and Every Voice, Every Vote, including the partnership’s goals. Presenters will share actionable strategies for working with influencers and leveraging social media to maximize impact. Following the presentation, we’ll hear from content creators on their experiences, the approaches they use to build trust, the results they’ve achieved, and the next steps for building lasting and meaningful engagement.

Speakers:

• Antoinette Talley, Principal, TYP Media Consultant
• Elaine Gonzalez-Johnson, founder, Mogul Mami
• LaToi McGinnis-Storr, Philly Lifestyle Blogger and Content Creator

This session will highlight how legacy media organizations are embracing innovation to stay relevant in the evolving media landscape using lessons from the Lenfest AI Collaborative and Fellowship Program, conducted in partnership with OpenAI and Microsoft. It will examine case studies from newsrooms in Philadelphia, Dallas, and Minneapolis, exploring strategies for innovation, challenges, and lessons learned.

Speakers:

• Matthew Boggie, Chief Technology and Product Officer, The Philadelphia Inquirer
• Aron Pilhofer, Chief Product Officer, Minnesota Star Tribune
• Chris Patheiger, Chief Product and Innovation Officer, DallasNews Corporation
• David Chivers, Founder, Executive Advisor, Strategy Consultant and Coach, Digital Acceleration Partners (moderator)

Local newsrooms are navigating significant challenges in sustaining their operations while continuing to serve their communities. In this session, several Philadelphia Local News Sustainability Grant recipients will join Cheryl Thomson-Morton for a candid conversation about how support from The Lenfest Institute is helping them innovate and build resilience.

Panelists will share the ongoing challenges they face and how participation in the Institute’s cohorts—through the community of practice and the Sustainability Center—has provided crucial support. They’ll discuss the benefits of peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, mentorship, and coaching, and how these programs are empowering them to address obstacles and create sustainable strategies for the future.

This discussion will provide an inside look at the collaborative efforts helping to shape a stronger future for local news.

Speakers:

• Monique Curry-Mims, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Generocity
• Eric Nzeribe, Publisher, FunTimes Magazine
• Jacob Simas, Managing Editor, The Oaklandside
• Meena Thiruvengadam, Writer, Editor, Consultant, Strategist, Meena Media; Lenfest Audience Community of Practice facilitator
• Cheryl Thompson-Morton, Head of Advisory Programs, The Lenfest Institute for Journalism (moderator)

Join us for a series of quick, impactful lightning talks that highlight how trusted messengers—individuals or organizations deeply connected to their communities—can drive civic engagement and education. The session will explore the role of media organizations in collaborating with these messengers and how young people can be trained to champion civic education.

Speakers:

• Jude Husein, Deputy Executive Director, PhillyBOLT
• Melanie O’Brien, Director of Communications, Easterseals of Southern Pennsylvania
• LaTrista T. Webb, Founder and Executive Director of The Elevation Project

This session offers a thoughtful exploration of how to navigate a shifting policy landscape under the new administration, marked by intensified scrutiny and challenges to DEI principles and journalistic integrity. We’ll dive into strategies to bolster resilience and foster self-care for grantees, while examining ways to uplift marginalized voices in an increasingly polarized environment. What proactive roles can funders play in safeguarding journalism’s integrity and championing equitable practices during these critical times? Join us for a collaborative discussion to reflect on our shared responsibilities, exchange actionable insights, and strengthen our networks. Together, we’ll identify pathways to protect and empower our grantees, sustain transformative work, and reinforce the ecosystems that drive positive change.

Speakers:

• Nuala Cabral, Program Officer, Independence Public Media Foundation
• Shawn Mooring, Head of Philadelphia Programs, The Lenfest Institute for Journalism
• Tracie Powell, founder, The Pivot Fund 
• Maya Raghu, National Director of the Protecting and Advancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
• Andrea Lawful Sanders, CEO, ALawfultruth Media (moderator)

Andrea and Shawn will facilitate an engaging closing workshop designed to help participants reflect on key insights gained and envision practical applications of their learnings. The session will encourage attendees to explore possibilities for collaboration, partnership, and innovation, all aimed at strengthening and advancing the Philadelphia ecosystem. Together, participants will discuss actionable solutions to drive collective impact and sustainable growth within the community.