Date received:
October 27, 2022
Subject:
Welcome to our community
Preview text:
Journalism that matters
Location:
Kansas City, MO
Text version for screen readers:
Dear Reader,
If you’re reading this, it’s because you care about community news. So do we! We’re writing today to thank you for subscribing to our newsletter, introduce ourselves and give you a little background on who we are.
I’m Jennifer Hack Wolf, Interim Publisher of The Beacon.
As a former newspaper photographer and editor, I’ve seen firsthand the downsizing and corporatization of local news — shuttered printing presses, lost jobs and increased subscription costs — all while there are fewer stories to get you the information you need. There are paywalls. Customer service that doesn’t really help. Websites that aren’t easy to navigate. These are real challenges you face every day trying to find out what’s happening in our community.
And that’s what makes The Kansas City Beacon so special. We’re building something for you — and with you. We’re a community-centered news source that won’t make the same mistakes newspapers made.
Locally controlled, nonprofit media can help shine a light on issues and hold people in power accountable in ways that others can’t.
We started publishing in Kansas City in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2021 brought the launch of our second newsroom, The Wichita Beacon. Between Kansas City and Wichita, we have a full time staff of 12.
I’m reaching out today to underscore the important role you play in local journalism that has an impact. Because writing stories is not enough. We are on a mission to get the full truth to the maximum people at the moments of greatest consequence. We do everything we can to bring stories, people, and stakes alive for readers so they can engage in informed action and debate.
As a nonprofit driven by purpose rather than profits, we rely on individuals to power our reporting.
Without you, we don’t exist.
As you become more familiar with us, I hope you consider joining others in the community by becoming a Beacon member.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reply to this email. To make sure our emails reach your inbox, please add us to your contacts.
All the best,
Jennifer Hack Wolf
Interim Publisher
The Beacon