Georgia Fort

Emmy-winning journalist | Founder, BLCK Press & Center for Broadcast Journalism | Media equity trailblazer

As founder of BLCK Press and the Center for Broadcast Journalism, Georgia Fort is creating pathways for Black and Brown journalists to not only enter the field, but to transform it. After being denied maternity leave as a news anchor, she left mainstream media and launched her own platform to cover underreported stories. Her team’s coverage of the George Floyd protests reached more than 18 million viewers and helped shift national narratives. Today, her newsroom is a trusted source in Minnesota, earning 12 regional Emmy nominations, three wins and national recognition for innovation and impact.

Georgia is recognized for her vision of developing not just media professionals, but also future leaders who view journalism as a tool for illuminating issues and solving community problems. Her work has successfully shifted narratives around community coverage while building a sustainable model for inclusive journalism.

With the Bush Fellowship, Georgia plans to pursue executive education and continue building a journalism ecosystem that affirms community, develops talent and ensures that all voices are seen and heard.

What change are you trying to create?

Achieving a more equitable news industry requires reforms that prioritize representation and update industry standards to value inclusivity alongside objectivity. Through initiatives like BLCK Press, which reconnects journalism with Black culture by amplifying overlooked stories, and the Center for Broadcast Journalism, which works to diversify traditional newsrooms, this vision moves closer to reality. By 2035, I’d like to see newsroom demographics reflect the communities they serve, ensuring more inclusive and representative coverage.

How will the Bush Fellowship grow your leadership?

I’ll pursue an executive leadership certificate at Harvard to strengthen my skills in team building, strategic planning, and sustainability. I’ll develop a succession plan for my nonprofit, ensuring our mission endures beyond my leadership. I’ll study workforce development models to expand our training programs and build scalable pathways into journalism. And I’ll prioritize wellness by exploring models of work-life balance.