How we’re putting ‘Community Before Content’ in 2023
We’re happy to share our 2023 Theme – Community Before Content!
This theme – which will guide our work across editorial, community engagement, and strategic organizational development – draws inspiration from 1973’s Black History Month theme of “Biography Illuminates the Black Experience.” Throughout the year, we’ll explore different issues by taking a look back and grounding our storytelling in the state of those topics 50 years ago.
Some of the overarching themes we hope to cover include…
Education Equity: Black Education and Education Equity
Identity, History + Culture: Black Biography Through Art
Leadership + Economic Freedom: Blackness and Sports
Media Literacy + Justice: Black Representation in the Media
Civic Engagement: Black Representation in Politics
Health + Wellness: Politics of Black Beauty
We’ll also use our storytelling to take it back to 1973 to highlight the important experiences and stories of young Black folks that connect to ours today. The first deadline for March – which will cover ‘Education + Literacy’ – is February 18. Learn more and submit here. General interest stories are accepted and published on a rolling basis. Take a look at our 2023 editorial calendar to see our monthly themes!
Not quite ready to pitch or submit anything yet? Sign up for the Contributing Writer Network for monthly reminders and other calls for submissions!
For our Strategic Goals, this theme points us towards a North Star of prioritizing flexibility in Better to Speak’s value to our peers. Meaning, we won’t be approaching content production for the sake of, but with the goal of using storytelling as a means to further connect with and build community. Check out our annual launch blog to learn more about the steps we’ve been taking to make this happen as we kick off 2023!
Learn More + Take Action:
Stay tuned to see how you can get involved! In the meantime – check out this page with current involvement opportunities! You can also support by donating one-time or monthly – now with our new fundraising platform Givebutter!
