LIFTPROJECT

The LIFT project seeks to mitigate the harm of dishonest, misinformed, and incomplete narratives amplified by the news media by circumventing systems through trusted messengers in Black communities. We did this by looking for progress in media coverage narrative patterns, surveying communities for information and resource needs, and community concerns, and interviewing trusted messengers to get a sense of the breadth, depth and quality of information networks. Our work inquires about the communication networks and social infrastructures that help Black communities stay connected, as well as resource trusted messengers with the information and access they need to help our communities thrive. These trusted messengers regularly include community organizers, faith leaders, activists, and key journalists. Key findings from previous work will be released at the LIFT Symposium on November 2, 2023.  This project informs a broader initiative and effort to support resilience and reparative narrative change in media and for Black communities. 

The project began in 2022 in Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota, and was funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. We are currently seeking partners and funding support to continue the work in other cities in the Midwest. We're interested in working with and supporting researchers, students, journalists, faith leaders, and activists in Midwest and around the United States to create a comprehensive and community-directed effort. Check out our current team members and share our work with others.