When the COVID-19 pandemic struck the United States in early March 2020, the James B. McClatchy Foundation was in the midst of hosting roundtables to better understand our community in California’s Central Valley and the organizations serving it. While many foundations engage in this process, we believe these conversations are critical to the impact of […]

Valley native Brianna Vaccari and multilingual international reporter Nancy Moya to launch beats on government accountability and community issues MERCED, California—The Central Valley Journalism Collaborative (CVJC) announced the hiring of its first two staff reporters, naming veteran journalists Brianna Vaccari and Nancy Moya to foundational roles that will boost the quality and depth of locally […]

Every April, voices across the education ecosystem come together to raise awareness around Bilingual and Multilingual Learner Advocacy Month. At JBMF, we are grateful for the honor of working with education professionals that advocate for learners, not only this month, but throughout the year. Students who speak another language at home bring the tremendous assets […]

across the Central Valley of CA dedicated to local journalism & civic engagement SACRAMENTO, CA — In California’s multiculturally rich Central Valley, a growing ecosystem of grassroots organizations and leaders are working to reverse rapidly downward trends in local journalism. A new investment from the James B. McClatchy Foundation (JBMF) aims to strengthen multiple initiatives […]

The Growing Strong Learners initiative’s purpose is to address the opportunity gap that young Dual Language Learners (DLL) experience before they reach Kindergarten, and as a result, the achievement gaps they face thereafter. The work of our Central Valley school district partners centers around developing leadership, building educator capacity, engaging and empowering families, and using […]

The Daily Heroism of Central Valley Educators and Crossing the Finish Line Together By Heather Bernikoff, Program Officer for Education, James B. McClatchy Foundation At JBMF, we love working with people driven to make positive change in their communities. It is a tremendous privilege to be a partner with educational entities and witness their progress toward […]

By Madeline Porter, JBMF Program Associate “We believe that stories can be powerful tools of connection, empathy, and understanding. In a world driven by data, algorithms, and more data, we purposefully take a moment to step back, turn to our roots, and focus on the ancient art of storytelling. Stories connect us to what makes […]

By Priscilla Enriquez, CEO, James B. McClatchy Foundation “I want to leave a personal message, particularly with those here whom I have not had an opportunity to know. My message is that as time goes by, I hope this organization will continue to fight to protect the dreams and hopes of ordinary people.   I hope and have […]

By Misty Avila, Program Officer – Civic Engagement “We envision a world where diverse experiences are embraced. Racial disparity accounts for wide gaps in education, health outcomes, and economic opportunity. We critically understand the impact of media and education on our society’s perceptions. We seek to create initiatives that birth new narratives.” – Jamillah Finley, […]