Gary General Assignment/Education Reporter at Capital B News, Inc. – Gary, Indiana

About Capital B News, Inc.

Capital B is a first-of-its-kind local and national nonprofit news organization reporting for Black communities across the country. We have local newsrooms in Atlanta and Gary, Ind. as well as a national newsroom. Cofounded by CEO Lauren Williams (former senior vice president and editor-in-chief of Vox) and Chief Audience Officer Akoto Ofori-Atta (former managing editor of The Trace), Capital B is looking for a skilled, highly motivated, scrappy sales professional to help us grow our earned revenue operation

Capital B is committed to serving Black communities essential local reporting and in-depth national coverage from a fresh perspective. By filling the gaps left by mainstream news, we're empowering our audience with civic journalism and authentic storytelling that centers Black voices and experiences.

Capital B Gary is a nonprofit newsroom reporting for communities in Gary, IN, delivering fact-based, community-centered journalism that centers accountability, culture, and lived experience.

We are looking for a nimble, curious, community-centered reporter who can move quickly on daily news, ask tough questions, and be a critical part of our award-winning newsroom.

This is a general assignment role with a strong education focus for a reporter who thrives on being out in the community — talking with residents, showing up where news is happening, and holding local officials accountable. The reporter will cover spot news as it unfolds, while also contributing to enterprise and people-centered features, with schools and education serving as a key focal point of the beat.

Because we are a small, collaborative newsroom, this reporter will occasionally be asked to step in and cover stories across a wide range of beats. Flexibility and a team-first mindset are essential.

The ideal candidate is an inquisitive and versatile journalist who will develop strong sources across the city and feels comfortable approaching strangers, introducing themselves, and building trust with students, parents, educators, and residents. The reporter will also be responsible for covering Gary’s schools, including the Gary Community School Corporation and the city’s charter schools. Coverage will include school-related events, student and teacher spotlights, and accountability reporting.

This role requires regular community engagement, including door-to-door outreach and direct conversations with local officials about sensitive topics. The ideal candidate is confident about initiating conversations with new contacts and navigating difficult conversations with local officials.

And yes, this job is fun. You will meet fascinating people, be first to uncover important news, and play a real role in shaping how Gary sees itself and tells its story.

Key Responsibilities

• Build sources throughout the community, including residents, students, educators, and local leaders.
• Collaborate with teammates on co-bylined stories, team coverage, and special projects.
• Ask clear, direct questions of public officials and institutions and produce accountability reporting when needed.
• Contribute to enterprise ideas and longer-term features alongside daily reporting.
• Produce people-centered features on newsworthy school events, programs, teachers, and students.
• Adapt reporting across platforms, including web, social media, newsletters, and produce regular video from the field, including on-camera updates, explainers, and social-first storytelling.
• Regularly participate in and host Capital B Gary’s weekly radio show.
• Represent the newsroom at community events, panels, and public conversations, helping extend the reach and impact of Capital B Gary’s journalism.