News with a Capital B: CEO Lauren Williams on why we need news for and by Black people

Media Shift

The media landscape is undergoing significant changes, influencing how Capital B approaches news coverage and distribution. Lauren Williams acknowledges the ongoing reliance on social media for visibility, despite efforts to reduce dependency on these platforms 1. She highlights the challenge of maintaining a distinct identity in a media ecosystem that often homogenizes content due to algorithmic forces 2.

The dependence on it, that full measure of dependence on it, that full reliance on it, and that full reliance, I think, on just traffic, period, is probably the real thing that we're breaking from is really important, but it's still, unfortunately, so important in reaching people.

--- Lauren Williams

Capital B aims to counteract this by fostering offline efforts and partnerships with Black media to reach their intended audience more effectively.

   

Social Media

Social media plays a dual role for Capital B, offering both opportunities and challenges in audience engagement. Lauren Williams emphasizes the importance of balancing online presence with real-world interactions to avoid being trapped in the media bubble 3. She notes the need to adapt to changing media consumption habits, especially among younger audiences who are more engaged with platforms like TikTok 4.

It's an audience focus, not a media focus.

--- Lauren Williams

By embracing new formats and being realistic about how people receive information, Capital B seeks to bridge the gap between traditional media and modern digital platforms.

   

Fundraising

Fundraising for Capital B involves navigating unique challenges and leveraging opportunities presented by societal shifts. Lauren Williams shares that authenticity and personal storytelling have been key to their fundraising success, allowing them to connect with potential donors on a deeper level 5. The racial equity movement in 2020 opened doors for Capital B, but Williams notes the difficulties in accessing philanthropic networks without prior connections 6.

We don't ask people if they want to see it and we don't use it and we usually send it afterward.

--- Lauren Williams

Despite these hurdles, the shift to remote work has made it easier to reach potential donors, facilitating more efficient fundraising efforts.