Our newsroom won in the “Game Changer” category and also took home three honorable mentions in the annual awards program hosted by the Institute for Nonprofit News. Here’s a look back at our stories, initiatives, and people being recognized.
Author Archives: Jacob Simas
Jacob Simas is Managing Editor of The Oaklandside. He joined us from Univision, where he led social-impact initiatives and established the Rise Up: Be Heard journalism training program for young people and community organizers in underserved areas of California. He was a senior editor and director of youth and community media at New America Media, where he led a community news network that amplified student and youth reporting in California news deserts. Simas has lived in Oakland for the past decade with his wife and two children, who attend Oakland public schools. He is an advisory board member for Youth Beat and a former volunteer host and producer with KPFA.
Posted inHow We Work
The Oaklandside welcomes 2 new reporters: David DeBolt and Jose Fermoso
Award-winning Bay Area journalist DeBolt will report on City Hall and policing, while Fermoso joins the newsroom on a Knight-Wallace Fellowship to examine the reasons for Oakland’s unsafe streets.
Posted inHealth & Environment
Watch: Oakland community leaders weigh in on rising gun violence
The Oaklandside recorded conversations with five local organizers who’ve been directly impacted by violence to better understand why it’s happening, and what can be done to prevent it.
Posted inOaklandside
Cómo reportamos sobre la vida de Mario González
Nuestra sala de redacción se esfuerza por informar responsablemente y con mucho cuidado sobre la vida de aquellas personas afectadas por violencia. Queríamos compartir más sobre nuestro enfoque de esta historia.
Posted inHow We Work
How we reported on the life of Mario Gonzalez
Striving to report responsibly on the lives of people impacted by violence requires great care. We wanted to share more on our approach to this story.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
‘We still have so much work to do’: East Oakland residents gather to process the Chauvin verdict
We asked community members at a sunset healing circle at Liberation Park to share their feelings about the murder conviction of the Minneapolis officer who killed George Floyd.
Posted inCity Hall & Policing
A win for local journalism: Judge says Oakland Police Department must comply with Public Records Act
The ruling was in response to a lawsuit filed by two journalists, including The Oaklandside’s news editor, Darwin BondGraham.
Posted inEducation Equity
‘Larger than life’: Mr. Brooks was more than a teacher to students and colleagues at Oakland Tech
When Wayne Brooks passed away on March 19, he left with a 50-year legacy as a student and beloved educator at the North Oakland high school.
Posted inHealth & Environment
More Oaklanders left sick and in the dark as COVID surges and county says it can’t keep up
After Maria González got sick, she expected a follow-up call from county health workers. Why didn’t it come?
Posted inArts & Community
Radio B’alam is ready to serve Oakland’s immigrant Mam community
The online radio station will feature local news, music, and community conversations, all in the indigenous Mam language.